Anybody still use the Helix intercooler (besides me)?

[Jeffman]

Back around 2011-2012 the Helix intercooler from Helix Motorsports in Philadelphia was considered at the time to be one of the better FMIC mods as it was the first step-core design for the N54. Does anybody have any specifications to compare it to the currently available FMICs, like the 7” VRSF?
Anybody (besides me) still uses it?

 

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

If you're making as much power as you want, and your IAT's are within reason.... don't replace. If temps are creeping up or you want to make more power, look at the VRSF 7.5" race or the BMS equiv offering for the two most popular "big daddy" FMIC's.

 

[Jeffman]

Thanks for your feedback. Just curious how the good ‘ole Helix compares to the current ones.

 

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

It doesn't... well, not to the big ones. I'm sure it's still a solid contender in the ~5" section

 

[houtan]

I’m still running mine. N55 ps2. Still a solid piece. Love the Murray turbo clamps it came with. With meth I have no reason to upgrade.

Having said that, the bigger intercoolers you mention cool iats better on their own. My buddy with a ps2 and VRSF race had ridiculously good iats during a hot half mile race day. Like they went up a couple of degrees at the end of the run.

 

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

The lastest crop of big FMIC's are stupid good. Reasonable at a 1/2 mile event = bulletproof. Hard not to like that.

 

[doublespaces]

They are actually on this forum as @ATMSpeedShop.

Might want to start here:

The ATM E9X N54 FMIC is back!

Hey guys, Dave from Ambient Thermal Management here. I am one of the new owners of ATM and just wanted to share some of the technical information of our legendary E9X FMIC with you. ATM has been dormant so it's been a while since our data has been posted. Here are some of the details: SIZE-...

bmw.spoolstreet.com

Edit: looks like we've had this side discussion before actually.

 

[Jeffman]

Thanks. Yup.

 

[island road]

Question about this, do people think the Race IC is a bit overkill say for a ST not going to making over 700hp? I have a Race IC from VRSF but was thinking of just swapping out for Comp Stepped as I am not sure the race is really needed for my ST kit. Does having such a large volume of air being pushed through the IC really negatively impact lag or is it rather miminual between the two intercoolers? If anybody has a link that compares these two side by side with logs I would love to view the data.

 

[Torgus]

Question about this, do people think the Race IC is a bit overkill say for a ST not going to making over 700hp? I have a Race IC from VRSF but was thinking of just swapping out for Comp Stepped as I am not sure the race is really needed for my ST kit. Does having such a large volume of air being pushed through the IC really negatively impact lag or is it rather miminual between the two intercoolers? If anybody has a link that compares these two side by side with logs I would love to view the data.

Not overkill at all in my opinion. I doubt the lag is even noticeable between the two. There is not that much more volume of space to pressurize. I would do the VRSF race IC on anything other than stock turbos personally. I have not seen any direct comparison between the two. If you did not already have the race IC then sure the comp might be a bit more appropriate but the extra cost for the race is minimal and you get more headroom and cooling with the race. Probably not worth the hassle of selling the race and buying the comp...but I am sure the race would sell quickly.

@Jeffman If you currently happy with the AIT rise you get now on a multi gear pull then keep it. I had the Helix on my car when I was on stock twins and it was great. It is a very high quality well manufactured product. Instead of spending the money twice and buying the VRSF race, I would vote add meth. You will get decent cooling boost and octane upgrade for the same price as the race IC. I doubt the helix is a restriction unlike the stock IC would be. So meth would get you extra cooling, more octane, and once you tune for it, more H Ps. A win win.

 

[Jeffman]

Not overkill at all in my opinion. I doubt the lag is even noticeable between the two. There is not that much more volume of space to pressurize. I would do the VRSF race IC on anything other than stock turbos personally. I have not seen any direct comparison between the two. If you did not already have the race IC then sure the comp might be a bit more appropriate but the extra cost for the race is minimal and you get more headroom and cooling with the race. Probably not worth the hassle of selling the race and buying the comp...but I am sure the race would sell quickly.

@Jeffman If you currently happy with the AIT rise you get now on a multi gear pull then keep it. I had the Helix on my car when I was on stock twins and it was great. It is a very high quality well manufactured product. Instead of spending the money twice and buying the VRSF race, I would vote add meth. You will get decent cooling boost and octane upgrade for the same price as the race IC. I doubt the helix is a restriction unlike the stock IC would be. So meth would get you extra cooling, more octane, and once you tune for it, more H Ps. A win win.

Thanks for the great info!