[zipphreak]

Just got this from UPS a few hours ago.. Thanks Mike@X-PH!

So far the fitment of the plastic OEM and metal VRSF chargepipe seems to slide on with no issues. Basically they slide all the way on without much struggle at all, so the notch on the CP and the IC outlet will line up for the c-clips. The real test will be mounting it in my F22 and testing the ER chargepipe fitment !

Also I'll post up some pictures comparing it to the VRSF race tonight. Evo2 is much shorter (~3 inches or so) and the fin pack is less dense, but it weights ~10lbs less though. I'm not running one of those monster 600hp N55's running E85, meth, direct port injection, and Stage2 turbos, dragging for low 11's either.

Overall the packaging is pretty suberb. Boxed, strapped, and wrapped tighter than a virgin monkey. They included new mounting hardware (why?!), has the radiator tabs like OEM, and has grooves to slide in just like OEM. My only complaint is that it seems like it's painted not powdercoated. That is absolutely going to chip from normal driving, not sure why they chose that.

[SerenVoX]

Originally Posted by zipphreak

Just got this from UPS a few hours ago.. Thanks Mike@X-PH!

So far the fitment of the plastic OEM and metal VRSF chargepipe seems to slide on with no issues. Basically they slide all the way on without much struggle at all, so the notch on the CP and the IC outlet will line up for the c-clips. The real test will be mounting it in my F22 and testing the ER chargepipe fitment !

Also I'll post up some pictures comparing it to the VRSF race tonight. Evo2 is much shorter (~3 inches or so) and the fin pack is less dense, but it weights ~10lbs less though. I'm not running one of those monster 600hp N55's running E85, meth, direct port injection, and Stage2 turbos, dragging for low 11's either.

Overall the packaging is pretty suberb. Boxed, strapped, and wrapped tighter than a virgin monkey. They included new mounting hardware (why?!), has the radiator tabs like OEM, and has grooves to slide in just like OEM. My only complaint is that it seems like it's painted not powdercoated. That is absolutely going to chip from normal driving, not sure why they chose that.

Hey Zipphreak,

Thanks for the post and pics. I did my Evo 2 Performance a couple weeks ago and didnt get as many nice pics as you did. I used ER piping on both sides and the fitment was spot on! No problems there. Just make sure when doing ER CP, like the ER instructions states put the throttle body pipe on first and work your way down to IC. I did the opposite and worked my way up from IC and that was not going to allow enough play to attach the ER pipes with coupling or to the throttle body. Silly on my part for not reading first..

I will note that my box didnt have the red tape around like yours..Also my IC did not have the black caps covering each ends, so I def stuck a air hose and blasted out each end which actually had small debris from packing in there.. I took a few pics to show some flaws I found on mine. I was committed to the build so I didnt think it would be an issue to worry about it?? My IATs stay in the 90's with spirited driving on 85F+ days. Night time im in the 70 and 80s while doing consistent pulls and what not.



CRACKED

SMALL PUNCTURES

FIN GAPS

[mike@x-ph.com]

How did install go zipphreak ?

[zipphreak]

I might get to it tonight or tomorrow. I could only sneak away from working so long to take the unboxing porn.

[zipphreak]

Good news got this Evo2 performance intercooler installed! The ER Chargepipe slid on with no issues at all, and the OEM clips lined up perfectly.

You do not need to take off the front bumper for this. Remove the OEM intake box and pipe to gain access to the radiator fan. Then you need to pull the radiator fan as far up as possible, basically until you can't pull it up no more. There are two Torx screws, one on each side of the radiator, and then on the right side there is a clip you need to press in. While your pressing in this clip you need to lift the tranny cooler up and out of the way while lifting up on the radiator fan. It will hit one of the radiator hoses and stop once you get it up far enough. But it gives you a good 6-8" of clearance to work with. Next i did remove the lower bolts for the front bumper (4x 8mm) to give some extra play, along with the two trim panels to the left and right of the IC. Remove the two lower coolant hose clips and pull the hose back and out of the way. Grab a pair of flat head screwdrivers and stick and twist into the OEM chargepipe clips, you will feel them snap out. Do this on both sides of them until both sides are released. Then grab onto the chargepipe twist and pull off. Doesn't have to come all the way off, but about 1/2" or so. Repeat for other side inlet/outlet.. Remove the two Torx screws, and then the intercooler will drop out of place. If it doesn't grab it and shake it a little, it will come down pretty easily. It definitely would've helped to have a second set of hands, but I'm stubborn. You basically have to bend the lower bumper lip, while lifting the intercooler into place. The Wagner Evo's have grooves on the side that line up with the OEM guides. Pay attention to those and you will be golden. Also watch the outlets of the intercooler while you a lifting, as they will hit the subframe. Keep an eye on the two power wires on the right side as you don't want to press up against these and short/puncture the insulation. Once you get the intercooler into place, the front bumper lip should hold it in place. Just make sure it pulled all the way under. Then have your torx screws ready with a torx driver in your general vicinity


Here's some comparisons of fin packs.

VRSF 6" Race




Wagner Evo2 Performance



OEM

[crbalch]

Getting mine on Tuesday! Can't wait to get it installed

[Taunto]

No cutting required like the dinan one?

[garyt]

I had to cut away quite a bit of the plastic shield on the bottom to get it to fit.

[zipphreak]

You don't need to trim any of that shield to get it to fit. The secret is loosening and pulling up the radiator fan as far up as you can get it to increase the clearance (I described this in my procedure above). Once it's in, it fits good between the factory air shroud and IC.

[crbalch]

Got mine installed yesterday, had to do a bit of cutting but overall a pretty easy job. Too bad it's winter so I can't really notice the difference all that much. Excited for that warm weather to come back though!

[zipphreak]

Cutting is 100% optional, if you pull the radiator fan all the way up you would get the clearance needed to install. With really big intercoolers you can remove the front bumper, and pull back the shroud to create even more clearance.

What no install pics ?!?

[Arrow29]

Thanks for the write up.

Does anybody know if the installation is the same for the EVO 2 competition, in terms of not needing to cut/trim anything? Looking to upgrade the intercooler on my m135i and would prefer one that doesn't need any bumper modifications to install if possible.

[zipphreak]

Can't really speak to the 135. The m235, what they are cutting is the air shroud for the stock intercooler. It's not actually the bumper.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by zipphreak

Can't really speak to the 135. The m235, what they are cutting is the air shroud for the stock intercooler. It's not actually the bumper.

Same for all, no one is cutting their bumper to fit an intercooler. .. Its the black plastic shroud behind it

[Arrow29]

Ahh that makes a lot more sense, thanks

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Got mine installed yesterday, had to do a bit of cutting but overall a pretty easy job. Too bad it's winter so I can't really notice the difference all that much. Excited for that warm weather to come back though!

Glad you got it in and everything was good!