Another VRSF 7" FMIC Thread... E90 LCI Content

SeanS54 · 03-28-2013, 11:46 AM

I know there's quite a few VRSF FMIC threads but I decided to post this to give install tips for the E90 LCI. I couldn't really find anything in relation to my car so hopefully this will help others with LCI's. This is not a DIY but rather some install tips/photos.

Car: 2009 E90 LCI

7" FMIC from VRSF

The most time consuming part was cutting the plastic. Don't waste time trimming it, just cut off the bottom section.

Passenger Side hose

Driver side hose w/ lower charge pipe (needed on 09+ cars)

Did not remove bumper for install. My E90 LCI M-sport bumper has an extra piece of plastic sticking out 2-3 inches (haven't seen this on the youtube videos). This made the install more difficult but you don't have to remove that piece. Just have someone pull it down while you squeeze the FMIC in. It WILL fit. Did not remove my front lip either.

Installed! (excuse the ugly bumper plug diy

)

Can't talk about driving impressions yet... low oil level.

Turns out my stock FMIC had oil in it. Time to invest in an Oil Catch Can.

135Pats · 03-28-2013, 11:59 AM

Not at all uncommon for the FMIC to build up oil over time, just an obnoxious feature on N54s...IC looks good, enjoy the suppressed charge temps!

marv85 · 03-28-2013, 12:13 PM

my IC had oil in it as well... not weird at all. enjoy!

Tiago@VRSF · 03-28-2013, 12:14 PM

Looks great man, nice job trimming without the removal of the bumper!

SeanS54 · 03-28-2013, 12:24 PM

thanks guys... BTW, Tiago has excellent products/prices and customer service!

Ch3ss · 03-28-2013, 04:19 PM

might install mine this weekend. can you tell me what you used to trim your shroud?

SeanS54 · 03-28-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aflyrice

might install mine this weekend. can you tell me what you used to trim your shroud?

sure, I used a dremel with a cutting blade... it's really easy to cut.. you'll notice the plastic will cut/melt away... I highly recommend safety goggles and a face mask while you're down there.. the smell is horrible and the hot plastic "wax" burns..

Ch3ss · 03-28-2013, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalBear_335i

sure, I used a dremel with a cutting blade... it's really easy to cut.. you'll notice the plastic will cut/melt away... I highly recommend safety goggles and a face mask while you're down there.. the smell is horrible and the hot plastic "wax" burns..

thanks for the tip. i'm glad you made this thread before i could install mine since i didn't feel like removing my bumper because of the parking sensors and headlight washers so doing it without taking the bumper off will save me some time.

Nonecure · 03-28-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalBear_335i

Driver side hose w/ lower charge pipe (needed on 09+ cars)

Nice write up, does the driver side hose need to be purchased separately?

SeanS54 · 03-28-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonecure

Nice write up, does the driver side hose need to be purchased separately?

nope.. everything needed was included in the kit...

you will just need a cutting tool like a dremel or something to cut the plastic shroud behind your bumper if you go with the 7" version...

Greatdane84 · 04-02-2013, 09:27 AM

Great thread! Especially since I just ordered and have same car. Good pics

SeanS54 · 04-02-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greatdane84

Great thread! Especially since I just ordered and have same car. Good pics

you'll love it... your butt dyno will definitely feel the mid/upper range power.. surprisingly the engine growls a bit more, I guess it just breathes better..

Greatdane84 · 04-09-2013, 10:36 PM

Thanks for the pics, makes more sense now that I did the install. That plastic trimming was fun!

Headmaster · 04-10-2013, 12:26 AM

For you members with the active cruise control think twice before ordering the 7" because the "radar bolb" in the front spoiler is in the way so you can't really cut away all the plastic you need so it's a really tight fit but i made it work so shure it's possible but it's hell of a lot harder to do then if you don't have this extra equipment in the way.

1nityrider · 04-10-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headmaster

For you members with the active cruise control think twice before ordering the 7" because the "radar bolb" in the front spoiler is in the way so you can't really cut away all the plastic you need so it's a really tight fit but i made it work so shure it's possible but it's hell of a lot harder to do then if you don't have this extra equipment in the way.

Did you remove the bumper or did you do it with the bumper on?

Headmaster · 04-11-2013, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1nityrider

Did you remove the bumper or did you do it with the bumper on?

i did it with the bumper on, there is no need to remove the bumper if you have the car on a lift so you can stand under it.

SLOWER · 01-03-2014, 11:44 PM

Really happy to see this can be done on msport without removing the bumper. Does the 5" require the same trimming? Less? No trimming?

Is there a DIY for the 5" VRSF?

135Pats · 01-04-2014, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOWER

Really happy to see this can be done on msport without removing the bumper. Does the 5" require the same trimming? Less? No trimming?

Is there a DIY for the 5" VRSF?

No trimming reqd. for a 5" core. But I would strongly encourage going with a 7" in case your have future plans for big power.

The VRSF core will install the same as any other front mount, if you use the directions from another vendor it'll get you 98% of where to need to be.

SLOWER · 01-04-2014, 12:53 PM

Cool. Thanks for the response.

X5-User · 01-04-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135Pats

No trimming reqd. for a 5" core. But I would strongly encourage going with a 7" in case your have future plans for big power.

The VRSF core will install the same as any other front mount, if you use the directions from another vendor it'll get you 98% of where to need to be.

bigger power means RB turbo? would 5" stepped core (helix) be fine with RB turbo?

03-28-2013, 11:46 AM	#1
SeanS54 Captain 168 Rep 842 Posts Drives: F82 M4 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (20)	Another VRSF 7" FMIC Thread... E90 LCI Content I know there's quite a few VRSF FMIC threads but I decided to post this to give install tips for the E90 LCI. I couldn't really find anything in relation to my car so hopefully this will help others with LCI's. This is not a DIY but rather some install tips/photos. Car: 2009 E90 LCI 7" FMIC from VRSF The most time consuming part was cutting the plastic. Don't waste time trimming it, just cut off the bottom section. Passenger Side hose Driver side hose w/ lower charge pipe (needed on 09+ cars) Did not remove bumper for install. My E90 LCI M-sport bumper has an extra piece of plastic sticking out 2-3 inches (haven't seen this on the youtube videos). This made the install more difficult but you don't have to remove that piece. Just have someone pull it down while you squeeze the FMIC in. It WILL fit. Did not remove my front lip either. Installed! (excuse the ugly bumper plug diy ) Can't talk about driving impressions yet... low oil level. Turns out my stock FMIC had oil in it. Time to invest in an Oil Catch Can. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/SeanS54/videos
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03-28-2013, 11:59 AM	#2
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	Not at all uncommon for the FMIC to build up oil over time, just an obnoxious feature on N54s...IC looks good, enjoy the suppressed charge temps! __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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03-28-2013, 12:13 PM	#3
marv85 Colonel 71 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (7)	my IC had oil in it as well... not weird at all. enjoy! __________________ '18 F80 M3 Comp 6MT - Stock '07 E92 335i 6MT- HP650, inlets/outlets, ER FMIC, VRSF CP, LPFP stg2, CSF rad, 'is Aux rad, ER OC, Ohlins, M control arms, eibach front sway bar. '05 C55 AMG SOLD - '22 Tesla M3P \| '10 E92 335i M, 6MT \| '07 E90 335i, PTF COBB E50, FBO, HFS4
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03-28-2013, 12:14 PM	#4
Tiago@VRSF 2097 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Looks great man, nice job trimming without the removal of the bumper!
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03-28-2013, 12:24 PM	#5
SeanS54 Captain 168 Rep 842 Posts Drives: F82 M4 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (20)	thanks guys... BTW, Tiago has excellent products/prices and customer service! __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/SeanS54/videos
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03-28-2013, 04:19 PM	#6
Ch3ss First Lieutenant 17 Rep 372 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (7)	might install mine this weekend. can you tell me what you used to trim your shroud?
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04-02-2013, 09:27 AM	#11
Greatdane84 Leeeroy Jankins 31 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 335i e90 LCI Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 335i [10.00]	Great thread! Especially since I just ordered and have same car. Good pics
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04-09-2013, 10:36 PM	#13
Greatdane84 Leeeroy Jankins 31 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 335i e90 LCI Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 335i [10.00]	Thanks for the pics, makes more sense now that I did the install. That plastic trimming was fun! __________________ e90 LCI w/ -= VRSF 7" FMIC =- -= Cobb: Stg1 +FMIC Aggressive ST =- Last Install: BMS DCI + Caliper/Drum Paint "If you're not 1st, you're last" -Ricky Bobby
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04-10-2013, 12:26 AM	#14
Headmaster New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 335i e90 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1)	For you members with the active cruise control think twice before ordering the 7" because the "radar bolb" in the front spoiler is in the way so you can't really cut away all the plastic you need so it's a really tight fit but i made it work so shure it's possible but it's hell of a lot harder to do then if you don't have this extra equipment in the way.
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01-03-2014, 11:44 PM	#17
SLOWER Lieutenant Colonel 309 Rep 1,733 Posts Drives: 2003 M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: MA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [0.00] 2003 M3 Convertible [0.00]	Really happy to see this can be done on msport without removing the bumper. Does the 5" require the same trimming? Less? No trimming? Is there a DIY for the 5" VRSF?
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01-04-2014, 12:53 PM	#19
SLOWER Lieutenant Colonel 309 Rep 1,733 Posts Drives: 2003 M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: MA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [0.00] 2003 M3 Convertible [0.00]	Cool. Thanks for the response.
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