Drivetrain Helix Stepped Core Intercooler - Real testing, Real results
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
So glad you love the FMIC
I quoted you on the GB thread as the 2 threads are running concurrent:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2818531
I quoted you on the GB thread as the 2 threads are running concurrent:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2818531
Ok, install done...and wow. I recommend this IC 110%!!!
After installed, I took it for a drive not expecting to feel too much of a difference, especially considering its 110+ here today. But wow, the difference is very noticeable!
The IAT's on my scanguage show a big improvement. Prior to the install I went for a spin with the stock IC and saw IAT's reach up all the way up to 155 F at some points. (after a 1, 2, 3 WOT run). It did recover fairly quickly given its small size, but temps still hovered around 125, even once I returned to 'normal' driving.
With the Helix IC, I went and drove the crap out of the car...and the ambient air temps were probably higher at this point of the day also, and I almost thought my scan guage was broken....IAT's barely rose. They hovered around 115 F (which is about 5 above ambient, give or take a few degrees) no matter what I did. After a 1, 2, 3 WOT run the highest I saw was 120 F....remember this is where I saw 155 F with the stock IC...and ambient temps were a few degrees lower at that time!
Naturally, it does not recover as quickly as stock, given its larger size...but it still recovers remarkably quick given how much bigger than stock it is.
The car pulls really hard, and it is a very noticeable difference. Torque steer is more evident post-install, so that an indication it definitely did something!
Can't wait to get it to some cooler temps, in the mountains or in CA, I'm sure it will really shine more than it already has.
Everybody who is running increased boost, this is a MUST have mod. For those that are stock...I'm sure you'll see an improvement, but stock always worked just fine for me, until I got tuned.
After installed, I took it for a drive not expecting to feel too much of a difference, especially considering its 110+ here today. But wow, the difference is very noticeable!
The IAT's on my scanguage show a big improvement. Prior to the install I went for a spin with the stock IC and saw IAT's reach up all the way up to 155 F at some points. (after a 1, 2, 3 WOT run). It did recover fairly quickly given its small size, but temps still hovered around 125, even once I returned to 'normal' driving.
With the Helix IC, I went and drove the crap out of the car...and the ambient air temps were probably higher at this point of the day also, and I almost thought my scan guage was broken....IAT's barely rose. They hovered around 115 F (which is about 5 above ambient, give or take a few degrees) no matter what I did. After a 1, 2, 3 WOT run the highest I saw was 120 F....remember this is where I saw 155 F with the stock IC...and ambient temps were a few degrees lower at that time!
Naturally, it does not recover as quickly as stock, given its larger size...but it still recovers remarkably quick given how much bigger than stock it is.
The car pulls really hard, and it is a very noticeable difference. Torque steer is more evident post-install, so that an indication it definitely did something!
Can't wait to get it to some cooler temps, in the mountains or in CA, I'm sure it will really shine more than it already has.
Everybody who is running increased boost, this is a MUST have mod. For those that are stock...I'm sure you'll see an improvement, but stock always worked just fine for me, until I got tuned.
So after some more driving around...in 117 degree heat. I continue to be impressed. 
What Arnel said in his post about IAT's actually going DOWN as you go WOT...they do. I thought he was a little crazy when he said that, but mine does it too.
IAT's will hover about 5-7 degrees above ambient when cruising, then if you floor it WOT they will drop to nearly ambient ( I actually saw 2 degrees BELOW ambient on a few runs...not quite sure how or if thats even possible, but very interesting none the less). They will stay there until up high in the rev range where they slowly climb to 7-10 degrees above ambient. VERY impressive.
What Arnel said in his post about IAT's actually going DOWN as you go WOT...they do. I thought he was a little crazy when he said that, but mine does it too.
IAT's will hover about 5-7 degrees above ambient when cruising, then if you floor it WOT they will drop to nearly ambient ( I actually saw 2 degrees BELOW ambient on a few runs...not quite sure how or if thats even possible, but very interesting none the less). They will stay there until up high in the rev range where they slowly climb to 7-10 degrees above ambient. VERY impressive.
Installed mine yesterday in about three hours. Installation was actually easier than I thought! No cutting or modifying the car is music to my ears! My butt dyno has noticed a very noticeable acceleration gain after 4K rpm!
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Huntingtown, MD
So, I really want this, but, as of now, I don't necessarily need it, and, I really like my near instant turbo spool. I really don't want to lose any spool time.
How noticeable is the increase in turbo spool time?
And thanks for the great post thumper.
How noticeable is the increase in turbo spool time?
And thanks for the great post thumper.
I don't really notice an increase or decrease in spool time...
I think it made the power band more linear, just pulls, pulls, and pulls...hard.
I, and others (eRIc), noticed a more rapid spool-up with the Helix FMIC. I also found my boost didn't fall off after 5300 RPM as it had with the factory IC. Mods prior to the FMIC included an M7 boost-side tube and a full turbo-back 3" Alta exhaust.
I don't recall anyone saying spool-up was slower.
I don't recall anyone saying spool-up was slower.
Last edited by MINIutia; Jul 12, 2009 at 02:31 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Huntingtown, MD
Thanks for the posts guys. This must really be one badass intercooler then. Generally, from what I have heard, a bigger intercooler, while cooling better, would slow spool time because it would take longer to push the air through the bigger area. Again, I'm no expert, but, this seems to be what generally happens, so, I wanted some info on that aspect.
The best instructions are at Forge Motorsports. WAY better than Alta's. Someone needs to teach them how to take pictures!
As far as those pop-it fasteners go, I had a lot of trouble too with a handful of them. If you can't get them out with the brute force of a screwdriver, I found that if you get a little bit of the fastener exposed, spray some lube on it, and push it back in, and then pry it out again it will come out easier. For ONE that still didn't work and I had to take pliers to it. I was lucky the head of the fastener didn't rip off!
As far as those pop-it fasteners go, I had a lot of trouble too with a handful of them. If you can't get them out with the brute force of a screwdriver, I found that if you get a little bit of the fastener exposed, spray some lube on it, and push it back in, and then pry it out again it will come out easier. For ONE that still didn't work and I had to take pliers to it. I was lucky the head of the fastener didn't rip off!
The best instructions are at Forge Motorsports. WAY better than Alta's. Someone needs to teach them how to take pictures!
As far as those pop-it fasteners go, I had a lot of trouble too with a handful of them. If you can't get them out with the brute force of a screwdriver, I found that if you get a little bit of the fastener exposed, spray some lube on it, and push it back in, and then pry it out again it will come out easier. For ONE that still didn't work and I had to take pliers to it. I was lucky the head of the fastener didn't rip off!
As far as those pop-it fasteners go, I had a lot of trouble too with a handful of them. If you can't get them out with the brute force of a screwdriver, I found that if you get a little bit of the fastener exposed, spray some lube on it, and push it back in, and then pry it out again it will come out easier. For ONE that still didn't work and I had to take pliers to it. I was lucky the head of the fastener didn't rip off!
Haha I ripped two of them off
...oh well. It was worth it haha
Actually, I believe the larger internal volume and lower restriction would tend to decrease spool-up time and increase boost pressure build time. However, because the volume is not "enormous" and the restriction is much lower I believe that apotential delay in boost pressure is non-existent or negligible.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
I've had this intercooler installed for several months now, still loving it.
I was wondering if you guys notice that your engine fan no longer turns on after you shut off your car? I've noticed that mine doesn not go on anymore ..I believe since the installation of this intercooler. My guess is that the fan does need to come on because the engine temp is much cooler? Anyone else notice this??? I kind of liked the fan coming on to get all that hot air out of the engine after shut off.
I was wondering if you guys notice that your engine fan no longer turns on after you shut off your car? I've noticed that mine doesn not go on anymore ..I believe since the installation of this intercooler. My guess is that the fan does need to come on because the engine temp is much cooler? Anyone else notice this??? I kind of liked the fan coming on to get all that hot air out of the engine after shut off.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
I've had this intercooler installed for several months now, still loving it.
I was wondering if you guys notice that your engine fan no longer turns on after you shut off your car? I've noticed that mine doesn not go on anymore ..I believe since the installation of this intercooler. My guess is that the fan does need to come on because the engine temp is much cooler? Anyone else notice this??? I kind of liked the fan coming on to get all that hot air out of the engine after shut off.
I was wondering if you guys notice that your engine fan no longer turns on after you shut off your car? I've noticed that mine doesn not go on anymore ..I believe since the installation of this intercooler. My guess is that the fan does need to come on because the engine temp is much cooler? Anyone else notice this??? I kind of liked the fan coming on to get all that hot air out of the engine after shut off.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
hmm, ...mine hasn't come on in a long time. I thought it was around when I installed the intercooler, yet I am not totally sure.
i've heard of other peoples fans acting mysteriously (coming on when it's super cold outside and not coming on on really hot days, etc ..kind of sporatic behavior) ...seems mine is acting up too.
i've heard of other peoples fans acting mysteriously (coming on when it's super cold outside and not coming on on really hot days, etc ..kind of sporatic behavior) ...seems mine is acting up too.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Speaking of the fasteners, that would be a brilliant idea to ship out a few of them with a companies intercooler. This way people woudnt be so worried about breaking pop-its. I know i broke 2 installing my other intercooler
edit: I want me helix intercooler....please
edit: I want me helix intercooler....please
hmm, ...mine hasn't come on in a long time. I thought it was around when I installed the intercooler, yet I am not totally sure.
i've heard of other peoples fans acting mysteriously (coming on when it's super cold outside and not coming on on really hot days, etc ..kind of sporatic behavior) ...seems mine is acting up too.
i've heard of other peoples fans acting mysteriously (coming on when it's super cold outside and not coming on on really hot days, etc ..kind of sporatic behavior) ...seems mine is acting up too.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
what do you think most dealers will say when they see an aftermarket intercooler? I was afraid that if I took it in, they'd say that the fan wasn't coming on due to the intercooler (even though that shouldn't effect it). My experience is that dealers tend to blame any malfunction on any aftermarket part they find.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
the intercooler has nothing to do with a fan coming on. dimensionally the part that goes into the shroud is exactly the same as stock. but by all means make sure no wires are disconnected. if the cars coolant temp is fine and the fan is off dont worry about it as you are picking up a little power due to less parasitic loss...
what do you think most dealers will say when they see an aftermarket intercooler? I was afraid that if I took it in, they'd say that the fan wasn't coming on due to the intercooler (even though that shouldn't effect it). My experience is that dealers tend to blame any malfunction on any aftermarket part they find.
We all know that the intercooler cannot conceivably do anything to harm the car...if anything it's going to let the motor run more safely (cooler inlet temps, less prone to pinging). But sadly BMW does not see it like that.
If it ever happened to you though, I'm sure it could easily be argued and overturned though. Quite rediculous if you ask me.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
So I went for a drive and turned on the AC, then when I turned off the car I noticed the fan was running for about 30sec's. ...So seems like the fan is connected. Maybe there is no issue and I am just overly paranoid! I just haven't noticed the fan coming on in a long time. didn't mean to alarm anyone about the Intercooler having anything to do w/ it. (sorry). I am loving the Helix intercooler, performance is GREAT.
So I went for a drive and turned on the AC, then when I turned off the car I noticed the fan was running for about 30sec's. ...So seems like the fan is connected. Maybe there is no issue and I am just overly paranoid! I just haven't noticed the fan coming on in a long time. didn't mean to alarm anyone about the Intercooler having anything to do w/ it. (sorry). I am loving the Helix intercooler, performance is GREAT.
A friendly call to your dealer of choice and a discussion with the SA or SA Manager, might help you build a good relationship with them.
As stated, it has no impact on the operation of the fan other than providing a potentially cooler environment.
Our MINI dealer, has no issue with them. I guess it really depends on where your located and how supportive of the MINI owner and you-if-i-cation the dealer purports to be.
I imagine if someone brought in an abused R56 with major failure, the dealer would have a problem with the failure. Something simple, they will work with you.
We are very lucky in Colorado, what can I say.
So I went for a drive and turned on the AC, then when I turned off the car I noticed the fan was running for about 30sec's. ...So seems like the fan is connected. Maybe there is no issue and I am just overly paranoid! I just haven't noticed the fan coming on in a long time. didn't mean to alarm anyone about the Intercooler having anything to do w/ it. (sorry). I am loving the Helix intercooler, performance is GREAT.
It is my understanding that the MINI uses an electric thermostat and once the A/C compressor is switched on, it opens the thermostat to prevent things from getting too hot with the added load of the A/C compressor.
I've seen it on other minis as well, stock and modded.
Last edited by ThumperMCS; Aug 29, 2009 at 09:40 AM.