[dozer008]

With that being said and I have done extensive research. I have narrowed down and today I will be buying an intercooler. I live in Texas and its african hot down here. The new VRSF intercooler fixed ends are out. But I have always read Helix stepped design is hands down the best intercooler.
This is what its boiled down to in my book.
Helix Intercooler-900 bucks no trimming has stepped design. But it is 900 bucks compared to VRSF at 400-430
Vrsf 5inch- no trimming required but being that humidity is about 1000 percent knowing there 7inch is 30 bucks more makes it appealing but knowing what you could get for only 30 bucks more is always there.
VRSF 7inch- Huge core requires trimming of the shroud which I really could care less since Im never going to see it. 430 bucks shipped.

So this is what I see.
Helix - Expensive but proven no trimming
VRSF 5 inch - no trimming half the price but have not seen any numbers yet on the unit.
VRSF 7 inch - 430 shipped. trimming required on the shroud. Might dissipate heat easier than a 5inch core. But anyways on a dyno they arent normal driving conditions anyway.

What do you guys think. And chime in with proven results if you have them. My mods are Cobb Stage 2+, BMS DCI, AA BOV, Cyba Scoops, VRSF Down Pipes.

Thanks in advance

[n54door]

< also in TX.


I'd be interested to see how the Helix compares to the new 7" VSRF.

[eric@helix]

We're gearing up for a new GB, with a best-ever price. Stay Tuned.

[dozer008]

When would be the time table we are looking at on the group buy? Interested and there is alot of people in Houston that have been talking about intercoolers with the brutal summer heat approaching.

[Greatdane84]

Yeah FL here and humidity gets pretty bad

[BoostedE90]

Originally Posted by Greatdane84

Yeah FL here and humidity gets pretty bad

[RnmEvo9]

I've been ready since last year, Helix FTW!

[E90Company]

Originally Posted by RnmEvo9

I've been ready since last year, Helix FTW!

[Twnturbofanatic]

I'm in on helix GB! Heat soke like a MF when it humid. Time to upgrade

[Envuks]

I pulled the trigger on the vrsf 7" personally

[dozer008]

went with the VRSF 7inch for the price and customer service I have received from Tiago. It was an easy choice. I will post when I do my dynos in a couple of weeks.

[Sick335]

Cp-e with additional oil cooler for 900$ isn't even an option?.. Works pretty fantastic for me

[dozer008]

I have looked at oil coolers and I can still get one and add it whenever. An oil cooler would probably be in mind if i do an mtech front bumper swap so I can retrofit it when everything is off. As of now the car is full bolt
On minus exhaust and turbos. So this is one of the last pieces of the puzzle for a little while. I'll post a build thread soon but I have put a lot of mods into the car in the 8 months I've owned it

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by Sick335

Cp-e with additional oil cooler for 900$ isn't even an option?.. Works pretty fantastic for me

second that brotha....

trimming on most of the FMICs (other than HPF) is not really that bad....nothing destructive.

[Sick335]

Originally Posted by dozer008

I have looked at oil coolers and I can still get one and add it whenever. An oil cooler would probably be in mind if i do an mtech front bumper swap so I can retrofit it when everything is off. As of now the car is full bolt
On minus exhaust and turbos. So this is one of the last pieces of the puzzle for a little while. I'll post a build thread soon but I have put a lot of mods into the car in the 8 months I've owned it

I've also owned my car for about 8-9 months now... and trust me... 15k later, never enough mods

[dozer008]

hahahaha I hear you man its just a majority of the major mods are done for awhile.

[nukezero]

May want to check out Cobb fmic. They just released one and it looks exactly like the Helix with slightly better looking finish. Plus, if you have a 04/09 build or later, you don't need to pay extra for the Helix custom piping. I called Cobb and they told me their test fit car was a 2009 M-sport 335i which would be a perfect fit for e.


The Cobb FMIC has like 2% more core volume than Helix. hehe. No trimming, direct fit. The instructions are very straightforward with good pictures. They are selling for 10% off right now if you ask a couple of vendors. I am assuming they tuned their FMIC+ maps with this so that's why I'll be going with them since I have a Cobb tune already.

I will probably pick one up end of the month.

[Tiago@VRSF]

I'll gladly put our 5" & 7" FMIC's up to a non-biased test against any competitors product. Helix makes a great intercooler but the logs our customers have posted on a 7" proves that you don't need to break the bank to get an intercooler that performs well.

We're offering the 5" & 7" models up for the GB pricing until the end of the week for those interested. This includes our new finish as well as our one piece seamless end tanks.

Here's a picture for those interested:

[A418t81]

I just installed my helix on my car, and I had an AMS previously on my other 335. The helix performs very well and the car loves it. Power has smoothed out and it is certainly making more. Timing has improved even on an E85 mix. With this in mind, I think the AMS FMIC had better fit and finish. It had actual tabs on the back for the radiator shroud to drop into and I found the mounting tabs on the side crude at best compared to the AMS unit. I don't have any qualms with the performance of either, but for almost 300 bucks less, I would probably go with the AMS unit again. Not having to cut the shroud was very nice though...had the helix unit in very quickly.

[dozer008]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

I'll gladly put our 5" & 7" FMIC's up to a non-biased test against any competitors product. Helix makes a great intercooler but the logs our customers have posted on a 7" proves that you don't need to break the bank to get an intercooler that performs well.

We're offering the 5" & 7" models up for the GB pricing until the end of the week for those interested. This includes our new finish as well as our one piece seamless end tanks.

Here's a picture for those interested:

I went with Tiago and vrsf because of the customer Service sure helix is proven but 800 vs 400 and still gave me money left over for some other mods. I believe having a 7inch core vs the stepped 5inch helix will
Balance out in the end. I'll
Dyno soon and we will find out. A good thing here in Houston is all that
Is offered is 93 octane not 91 which many post dyno result on here from Cali. Cheers guys and good luck after all any aftermarket intercooler is better than stock right....

[Tiago@VRSF]

While most aftermarket FMIC's are better than stock, not every aftermarket FMIC is considered equal. A lot of guys tend to write us off as the cheap/inexpensive brand with great value, but I'll be more than happy to prove that our intercooler will perform equally or outperform a lot of the competition.

We have a significant advantage due to our incredibly low overhead vs the competition. We don't need huge markups to survive so we pass the savings onto the consumer. Just because it's less expensive, does not make it inferior. Go look up what 25lbs of aluminum costs and you'll understand what I mean.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

While most aftermarket FMIC's are better than stock, not every aftermarket FMIC is considered equal. A lot of guys tend to write us off as the cheap/inexpensive brand with great value, but I'll be more than happy to prove that our intercooler will perform equally or outperform a lot of the competition.

We have a significant advantage due to our incredibly low overhead vs the competition. We don't need huge markups to survive so we pass the savings onto the consumer. Just because it's less expensive, does not make it inferior. Go look up what 25lbs of aluminum costs and you'll understand what I mean.

Any links to the performance data you mention above?

Also, how much cutting is involved in fitment on a 1m / 1 series for the 7 inch