Aftermarket Intercooler Installation pointers?

neejay · 02-11-2019, 02:27 PM

Does anyone have any pointers or tips to installing an aftermarket intercooler on a F10 SPECIFICALLY. I've seen generic videos, but none specifically F10 (n55).

I have the stock one off already, but I can't seem to get the aftermarket one in, as it appears to be too wide. It's a VRSF step designed intercooler (like Wagner).

EDIT: I've gotten it in, but have the wrong mounting hardware, and no ETA given by VRSF for corrected hardware.

robbiss7 · 02-11-2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neejay

Does anyone have any pointers or tips to installing an aftermarket intercooler on a F10 SPECIFICALLY. I've seen generic videos, but none specifically F10 (n55).

I have the stock one off already, but I can't seem to get the aftermarket one in, as it appears to be too wide. It's a VRSF step designed intercooler (like Wagner).

I installed the Wagner FMIC on a F10 N55 and it was a very tight fit. Installed it on jack stands. Watch out for the rubber hoses as they can get pinched by the end tank openings. I used a floor jack to lift the intercooler in place. Raise the jack slowly and look for anything the FMIC is binding on.

neejay · 02-11-2019, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbiss7

I installed the Wagner FMIC on a F10 N55 and it was a very tight fit. Installed it on jack stands. Watch out for the rubber hoses as they can pinched by the end tank openings. I used a floor jack to lift the intercooler in place. Raise the jack slowly and look for anything the FMIC is binding on.

Yeah, I already had to loosen the pipe that it attaches to (charge pipe side) just to give room to push a rubber hose upward, out of the way of the intercooler end tank opening. I'm already scared of bending fins...

Thanks, I'll try the floor jack route.

I still find it hard to believe there are no DIY videos of aftermarket intercooler videos for the F10.

AZ-MCRacer · 02-11-2019, 07:39 PM

I installed my Wagner over 2 years ago and it wasn't fun. It is a very tight fit, with a huge sigh of relief when it gets into position. It helps a lot to have a second person to keep it steady while the other maneuvers it. I did it on jack stands.

paul223 · 02-11-2019, 08:34 PM

It is a simple but tight install, just put some pressure or a long handle to push against intercooler bottom tank.

tcabill · 02-12-2019, 05:51 AM

Definitely a tight fit. Be careful with pry bars, mine slipped off the FMIC and straight through my A/C condenser.

neejay · 02-12-2019, 12:59 PM

Thanks guys. I'd given up, and was going to just pay to get it installed, but I was quoted $500, so I'm going to revisit DIY.

Does anyone know what hardline this is? It's the main issue I was having. I can't clear it out of the way, without it feeling like I'll kink/bind it (and I pushed until it felt like I couldnt). Trying to force the IC past this hardline causes the IC to push into the radiator(?)/ac condensor(?), starting bending fins on both it.

I think if I can loosen its mounting somewhere else besides the two spots I already loosened it, I can get it done.

ziekxq · 02-12-2019, 01:39 PM

Ill be at the shop taking some pictures of the install. If my guy is working on fmic install by the time I get there than I will take pics and stay to see how he installs it.

ezaircon4jc · 02-12-2019, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neejay

Thanks guys. I'd given up, and was going to just pay to get it installed, but I was quoted $500, so I'm going to revisit DIY.

Does anyone know what hardline this is? It's the main issue I was having. I can't clear it out of the way, without it feeling like I'll kink/bind it (and I pushed until it felt like I couldnt). Trying to force the IC past this hardline causes the IC to push into the radiator(?)/ac condensor(?), starting bending fins on both it.

I think if I can loosen its mounting somewhere else besides the two spots I already loosened it, I can get it done.

Can you see where it attaches at either end? Had we had hydraulic power steering I would suspect a P/S line. Could it be an A/C line?

neejay · 02-12-2019, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Can you see where it attaches at either end? Had we had hydraulic power steering I would suspect a P/S line. Could it be an A/C line?

Nope, but I need to take off the corner of the front bumber undercarriage shield. The weird thing is, when I Google the part number of it, it only lists the E60 chassis, and it's listed as an A/C line. I hope I don't have Frankenstein parts, seeing as I have a 2011...

neejay · 02-14-2019, 03:03 PM

I ended up sliding the hardline back, and holding it place with an allen key and sticking it in a hole of the crossmember.

I got the intercooler in, but I was sent the wrong hardware (screws and bracket)......

ey2001 · 02-14-2019, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neejay

I ended up sliding the hardline back, and holding it place with an allen key and sticking it in a hole of the crossmember.

I got the intercooler in, but I was sent the wrong hardware (screws and bracket)......

that sucks.... maybe it wasnt worth the headache.. and from what I was reading alot of them had their fins bent on the intercooler... Im glad I just went with wagner....

ziekxq · 02-14-2019, 05:46 PM

Some fins were bent that wouldnt cause any issues. My radiator has more fins bent. Plus it has tight fitment just like wagner has, so not much difference on that part. But if you arent verse in doing mechanical stuff like this than it would take a lot to get it right.

ey2001 · 02-14-2019, 09:37 PM

I know it wouldn't cause issues... but if I'm paying for something I would want it to be perfect... maybe it's just me.

ziekxq · 02-14-2019, 09:55 PM

Performance over minor inconvenience.

But I see where you coming from. Brand new product should be in pristine condition.

ey2001 · 02-14-2019, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziekxq

Performance over minor inconvenience.

But I see where you coming from. Brand new product should be in pristine condition.

I waited for their fmic for the longest time.... and ended up going with Wagner

sweettalker · 02-15-2019, 02:03 AM

Anyone know if our cars have an option to actually be a FRONT mount instead of behind the radiator?

neejay · 02-16-2019, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ey2001

that sucks.... maybe it wasnt worth the headache.. and from what I was reading alot of them had their fins bent on the intercooler... Im glad I just went with wagner....

At this point, I'd agree. The extra $300 would have been worth the professionalism, communication, and quality control provided by Wagner.

Start here: https://f10.5post.com/forums/showpos...1&postcount=71

ziekxq · 02-16-2019, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neejay

At this point, I'd agree. The extra $300 would have been worth the professionalism, communication, and quality control provided by Wagner.

Start here: https://f10.5post.com/forums/showpos...1&postcount=71

My mechanic does welding as well, so he was able to custom.build the clamps costing me extra bucks. But intercooler does as good as advertised.

neejay · 02-16-2019, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziekxq

My mechanic does welding as well, so he was able to custom.build the clamps costing me extra bucks. But intercooler does as good as advertised.

So you had an hardware mounting issue too? (Meaning it wasn't a direct fit bolt-in?)

ziekxq · 02-16-2019, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neejay

So you had an hardware mounting issue too? (Meaning it wasn't a direct fit bolt-in?)

Yup. My mechanic was pretty pissed lol. He wanted to finish the entire install in 6 hours, but due to this issue cost us 2 extra hours.

When I say entire install:
Chargepipe, dv+, pure turbo, custom turbo inlet and the fmic. I wanted to get everything in one go since he had everything apart already.

neejay · 02-17-2019, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziekxq

Yup. My mechanic was pretty pissed lol. He wanted to finish the entire install in 6 hours, but due to this issue cost us 2 extra hours.

When I say entire install:
Chargepipe, dv+, pure turbo, custom turbo inlet and the fmic. I wanted to get everything in one go since he had everything apart already.

Thank you for confirming it's not just me and/or my skills!

02-11-2019, 02:27 PM	#1
neejay Private First Class 7 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2011 535i M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket Intercooler Installation pointers? Does anyone have any pointers or tips to installing an aftermarket intercooler on a F10 SPECIFICALLY. I've seen generic videos, but none specifically F10 (n55). I have the stock one off already, but I can't seem to get the aftermarket one in, as it appears to be too wide. It's a VRSF step designed intercooler (like Wagner). EDIT: I've gotten it in, but have the wrong mounting hardware, and no ETA given by VRSF for corrected hardware. __________________ 2011 535i M-Sport - MHD Stage 2+, xHP Stage 3, FMIC, ER Chargepipe, RM Motors catted d/p, Megan Racing Supremo Exhaust Last edited by neejay; 02-22-2019 at 03:15 PM..
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02-11-2019, 07:39 PM	#4
AZ-MCRacer First Lieutenant 306 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2022 G82 M4, 2013 F10 N55 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (0)	I installed my Wagner over 2 years ago and it wasn't fun. It is a very tight fit, with a huge sigh of relief when it gets into position. It helps a lot to have a second person to keep it steady while the other maneuvers it. I did it on jack stands. __________________ 2022 G82 M4 - Isle of Man Green w/Kyalami Carbon Bucket Seats - MST Intakes, SSR Downpipes, JB4, AWE Exhaust. 2013 F10 N55 (535i), Pure Stage 2, Fuel-It PI Platinum, Fuel-It Stage 2 LPFP, BootMod3, Custom Turbo Inlet, Custom Cary Jordan Tune, More.. SOLD! 1999 e36 M3 - Estoril Blue - Track Car - S54 Swapped
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02-11-2019, 08:34 PM	#5
paul223 Major 411 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: arkansas iTrader: (0)	It is a simple but tight install, just put some pressure or a long handle to push against intercooler bottom tank.
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02-12-2019, 05:51 AM	#6
tcabill Private 14 Rep 51 Posts Drives: e63 650i, F10 535i, E93 335i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F10 N55 PWG [0.00]	Definitely a tight fit. Be careful with pry bars, mine slipped off the FMIC and straight through my A/C condenser. __________________ 2012 535i M-Sport PWG, Wagner FMIC, VSRF no meow, chargepipe, Walbro 450 with custom fuel lines, MHD map e30 2+, JB4 (monitor and logging only now), xHP Stage 3, K&N drop-in, Paddleshift retrofit
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02-12-2019, 12:59 PM	#7
neejay Private First Class 7 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2011 535i M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I'd given up, and was going to just pay to get it installed, but I was quoted $500, so I'm going to revisit DIY. Does anyone know what hardline this is? It's the main issue I was having. I can't clear it out of the way, without it feeling like I'll kink/bind it (and I pushed until it felt like I couldnt). Trying to force the IC past this hardline causes the IC to push into the radiator(?)/ac condensor(?), starting bending fins on both it. I think if I can loosen its mounting somewhere else besides the two spots I already loosened it, I can get it done. Attached Images __________________ 2011 535i M-Sport - MHD Stage 2+, xHP Stage 3, FMIC, ER Chargepipe, RM Motors catted d/p, Megan Racing Supremo Exhaust
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02-12-2019, 01:39 PM	#8
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Ill be at the shop taking some pictures of the install. If my guy is working on fmic install by the time I get there than I will take pics and stay to see how he installs it.
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02-14-2019, 03:03 PM	#11
neejay Private First Class 7 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2011 535i M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I ended up sliding the hardline back, and holding it place with an allen key and sticking it in a hole of the crossmember. I got the intercooler in, but I was sent the wrong hardware (screws and bracket)...... __________________ 2011 535i M-Sport - MHD Stage 2+, xHP Stage 3, FMIC, ER Chargepipe, RM Motors catted d/p, Megan Racing Supremo Exhaust
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02-14-2019, 05:46 PM	#13
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Some fins were bent that wouldnt cause any issues. My radiator has more fins bent. Plus it has tight fitment just like wagner has, so not much difference on that part. But if you arent verse in doing mechanical stuff like this than it would take a lot to get it right.
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02-14-2019, 09:37 PM	#14
ey2001 Captain 310 Rep 716 Posts Drives: F10 535i 6spd Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: la iTrader: (0)	I know it wouldn't cause issues... but if I'm paying for something I would want it to be perfect... maybe it's just me.
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02-14-2019, 09:55 PM	#15
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Performance over minor inconvenience. But I see where you coming from. Brand new product should be in pristine condition.
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02-15-2019, 02:03 AM	#17
sweettalker Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 267 Posts Drives: Vrooom Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Anyone know if our cars have an option to actually be a FRONT mount instead of behind the radiator?
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