Intercooler install

E31BMW · 11-04-2010, 03:33 PM

How hard is it to install a FMIC? i know how to remove the bumper, and i have jack stands along with a jack in the garage, but is there anything i cant do that will require a shop visit?

jeveryday · 11-04-2010, 04:12 PM

Theres a DYI by HPF on youtube and they make it look simple... However, they had a lift.

Blk07335i · 11-04-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e31e92

How hard is it to install a FMIC? i know how to remove the bumper, and i have jack stands along with a jack in the garage, but is there anything i cant do that will require a shop visit?

It's not that hard but it will take a few hours since there is very little room to access the connection points. Of course it does depend on which intercooler you choose. The hardest part for me was attaching the new drivers side boost tube since there is very little room. (I have the Code 3 intercooler BTW)

cn555ic · 11-04-2010, 04:18 PM

Depends on what intercooler and how much you have to trim

Darkcyd_Turbo · 11-04-2010, 04:19 PM

If you take off the front bumper then you should be good to go...I installed my AMS one on a lift from the bottom of the car without removing the bumper because I am lazy like that. A buddy installed the ETS recently on his car and he removed the front bumper...said it wasn't bad and everything was accessible.

E31BMW · 11-04-2010, 04:20 PM

i am looking at purchasing a spearco fmic, i never knew it would make a significant difference.

alextremo · 11-04-2010, 04:47 PM

I installed the Helix on my car in ~2 1/2 hours on jack stands in my garage without removing the bumper. If I had to do it again, would probably take half that time.

Reading the DIY's beforehand and having the right tools available helped a lot.

techlogik · 11-04-2010, 04:50 PM

I ran into problems trying to put a CXRacing one on mine. Obviously it isn't plug and play. That plastic shroud is a pain and I didn't break out my dremmel to cut it away...I was a bit hesistant because there is a sensor that needs relocating.

Then, the connectors/dropping the old one etc...and I was using ramps, it was still tight under the car.

I might give it another go. Half the time is spent taking the bumper off/on and underpan. If it's a plug play one, it should take but about 3hrs I would say taking your time.

AndreM818 · 11-04-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techlogik

I ran into problems trying to put a CXRacing one on mine. Obviously it isn't plug and play. That plastic shroud is a pain and I didn't break out my dremmel to cut it away...I was a bit hesistant because there is a sensor that needs relocating.

Then, the connectors/dropping the old one etc...and I was using ramps, it was still tight under the car.

I might give it another go. Half the time is spent taking the bumper off/on and underpan. If it's a plug play one, it should take but about 3hrs I would say taking your time.

But the CXRacing intercooler would fit the 335i right?

BrianMN · 11-04-2010, 05:17 PM

If it is an intercooler actually MADE FOR YOUR CAR (not RX7/Big Tom/CX Racing), it should be pretty easy and wont' require you to remove the bumper. Many people can do it in under an hour.

Forcefed3 · 11-04-2010, 05:55 PM

Depending on which one you choose, it can be pretty easy.

Bimmer This · 11-04-2010, 06:13 PM

IC installs should be an easy install. The only hard part would be getting the factory couplers off.

zsapphire7 · 11-04-2010, 06:20 PM

spearco requires some trimming. All you need aside from regular tools, is a dremel with a cutting wheel and maybe torx set if you dont already have it. 2 Torx screws hold the stock intercooler to the car.

Install is one of the easiest since theres plenty of space to work with. Downpipes is by far harder.

MKE_M3 · 11-04-2010, 07:40 PM

I installed the CP-E intercooler and oil cooler in about 6 hours. It is pretty simple (not much complexity), but not easy (a fair amount of effort reaching into tight places and undoing some tough hose clamps, etc).

ETS Michael · 11-04-2010, 10:55 PM

Super Easy

You don't even need to remove the bumper or trim with our intercooler. It's a direct replacement of your stock unit. We have had some users do the install in under 30 minutes.

Michael

rbaldwin28 · 11-04-2010, 11:05 PM

Ets took me an hour. Hardest part was getting stock hose clamps off. I cut them with my dremel tool. Removing the front bumper seemed like more trouble than it was worth so I didn't. Good luck.

Alex@Helix · 11-05-2010, 09:41 AM

Its not difficult at all. Here is our instal video, hope it helps

E31BMW · 11-05-2010, 09:43 AM

awesome, thank you for all the feedback!!

11-04-2010, 03:33 PM	#1
E31BMW Major 97 Rep 1,225 Posts Drives: Cars! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (28)	Intercooler install How hard is it to install a FMIC? i know how to remove the bumper, and i have jack stands along with a jack in the garage, but is there anything i cant do that will require a shop visit?
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11-04-2010, 04:12 PM	#2
jeveryday Colonel 80 Rep 2,335 Posts Drives: 2012 535i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Long Island, New York iTrader: (6)	Theres a DYI by HPF on youtube and they make it look simple... However, they had a lift.
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11-04-2010, 04:18 PM	#4
cn555ic 441 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	Depends on what intercooler and how much you have to trim
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11-04-2010, 04:19 PM	#5
Darkcyd_Turbo "Booty Hole Bandit" 32 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 2008 Montego E92 335xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, WI iTrader: (14)	If you take off the front bumper then you should be good to go...I installed my AMS one on a lift from the bottom of the car without removing the bumper because I am lazy like that. A buddy installed the ETS recently on his car and he removed the front bumper...said it wasn't bad and everything was accessible. __________________ 2008 Montego Blue E92 335xi - MT - Sport - Cold Weather - Nav - iDrive - PDC - Logic7 - CA MODS: Unknown
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11-04-2010, 04:20 PM	#6
E31BMW Major 97 Rep 1,225 Posts Drives: Cars! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (28)	i am looking at purchasing a spearco fmic, i never knew it would make a significant difference.
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11-04-2010, 04:47 PM	#7
alextremo Captain 49 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	I installed the Helix on my car in ~2 1/2 hours on jack stands in my garage without removing the bumper. If I had to do it again, would probably take half that time. Reading the DIY's beforehand and having the right tools available helped a lot.
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11-04-2010, 04:50 PM	#8
techlogik Lieutenant Colonel 70 Rep 1,565 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Dravit Grey Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	I ran into problems trying to put a CXRacing one on mine. Obviously it isn't plug and play. That plastic shroud is a pain and I didn't break out my dremmel to cut it away...I was a bit hesistant because there is a sensor that needs relocating. Then, the connectors/dropping the old one etc...and I was using ramps, it was still tight under the car. I might give it another go. Half the time is spent taking the bumper off/on and underpan. If it's a plug play one, it should take but about 3hrs I would say taking your time. __________________ 2020 M340i: Dravit Grey Mettalic. Loaded.
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11-04-2010, 05:17 PM	#10
BrianMN Banned 114 Rep 2,428 Posts Drives: 4 Door Family Sedan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (7)	If it is an intercooler actually MADE FOR YOUR CAR (not RX7/Big Tom/CX Racing), it should be pretty easy and wont' require you to remove the bumper. Many people can do it in under an hour.
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11-04-2010, 05:55 PM	#11
Forcefed3 Banned 127 Rep 4,732 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: South iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [1.00]	Depending on which one you choose, it can be pretty easy.
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11-04-2010, 06:13 PM	#12
Bimmer This Major General 99 Rep 6,473 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Westminster iTrader: (3)	IC installs should be an easy install. The only hard part would be getting the factory couplers off.
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11-04-2010, 06:20 PM	#13
zsapphire7 Colonel 104 Rep 2,368 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (21)	spearco requires some trimming. All you need aside from regular tools, is a dremel with a cutting wheel and maybe torx set if you dont already have it. 2 Torx screws hold the stock intercooler to the car. Install is one of the easiest since theres plenty of space to work with. Downpipes is by far harder.
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11-04-2010, 07:40 PM	#14
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	I installed the CP-E intercooler and oil cooler in about 6 hours. It is pretty simple (not much complexity), but not easy (a fair amount of effort reaching into tight places and undoing some tough hose clamps, etc).
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11-04-2010, 10:55 PM	#15
ETS Michael Major 76 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (4)	Super Easy You don't even need to remove the bumper or trim with our intercooler. It's a direct replacement of your stock unit. We have had some users do the install in under 30 minutes. Michael
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11-04-2010, 11:05 PM	#16
rbaldwin28 Lieutenant 13 Rep 408 Posts Drives: E92 335i Sport Prem. White Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad CA and San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335I [0.00]	Ets took me an hour. Hardest part was getting stock hose clamps off. I cut them with my dremel tool. Removing the front bumper seemed like more trouble than it was worth so I didn't. Good luck. __________________ Procede Inside! AutobahnExotics, Vishnu DCI, AR Oil Catch Can, ETS Black Anodized Intercooler, Quaife LSD, Falken FK452, Mtech 6000k HID, 7000k Halos, 15%vlt Ceramic Tint, Matte Black Kidney Grills.
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11-05-2010, 09:41 AM	#17
Alex@Helix Colonel 150 Rep 2,221 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (8)	Its not difficult at all. Here is our instal video, hope it helps
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11-05-2010, 09:43 AM	#18
E31BMW Major 97 Rep 1,225 Posts Drives: Cars! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (28)	awesome, thank you for all the feedback!!
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