Yes sure, I don't mind explaining my reasoning.

I'm sure their FMIC is okay, but I refuse to buy any of their products as I hear their intakes are issues down the road(don't get mad I said it, read threads on here and MINI2), I bought Alta endlinks that were completely junk in my opinion, and also their boost tubes are so cheap they tear and wear very quickly compared to Samco and Forge. Those are just a few of my points. But again, I will stick with other products that do the job better over a period of time.

But again I'm sure their FMIC at Alta is pretty decent, at least it might be the only good thing they have going for them right now, IMO(don't get mad that I stated my reasons, everyone has their own experience and opinions to justify their reasoning behind it).

 

Not mad at all I use NM for my boost tubes and various other company's for my other parts as my FMIC is the only part I have from them I was just curious, I've heard a lot of contradicting things about them. All in all just like to hear other people's opinions and do as much research as possible before I decide on a part

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minimech, if I were you, stay away and beware of the products. Stick with NM, Forge, Samco, Helix, Tyrolsport, Way, Detroit Tuned, and so on. They actually put good products on their shelves and won't wear and tear your pockets.

What FMIC do you have right now? Or are you in the process of purchasing one?

 

I'm curious to know why you consider the Helix to be the superior IC over the Forge when you say they have similar designs? I personally planned on buying the Forge IC as I consider them a very reputable company (taking nothing from Helix as they are as well) and there are many people that are happy with the Forge, but curious to hear your viewpoint.

 

Top three to buy should only be the Forge, Helix, and Tyrolsport(if you got the money to spend $1,000).

I don't really consider one or the other to be better than each other. Though Tyrolsport is a different design compared to how the Helix and Forge are similar.

 

I've had the Alta intercooler through 2 different cars and had no issues with it at all minus the black finish is chipped up from at least 50k miles on one car and 25k on my coupe so honestly I've gotten money's worth out of it

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I have had a Helix through 2 Minis and about 40k miles with no issues even though I don't like the lack of hard mounting points. It seems to not be a problem.

 

They did copy our design, but not all of the features that we have put into the Helix stepped core intercooler: cast end tanks, bull-nosed bars (both inside the tanks and across the face) and higher, offset fin density. These features are key to better flow and better cooling. Oh, and the Helix has much greater thermal mass.

 

AgBullet, I agree with Rob, Forge is high quality and a reputable company and so is Helix...it's just the same design and I don't want to take anything away from forge. I, too have heard contradicting statements about Alta. It seems they are hit or miss with their products, I don't like that. To answer your question, I truthfully just trust Helix more because of their willingness to know their consumers. They seem to be more interested, which is nice once in a while Forge is a good company as well and I would still buy a product for them but not in this case. Hope that helps

 

Quotes like these are so untrue but yet they continue to be passed around the web as fact, sigh.

 

It works like every other DV should! It's the only thing I own by Alta but I can say hands down it works as advertised, possibly better. Huge improvement, especially to a tuned car.

 

App double post

 

Anyone heard of iron horse coopers FMIC? Price isn't bad...

 

I'm inclined to try out Evolve's FMIC. From what I've read on another forum, Evolve's recovery time was waaaaay better than the Forge FMIC. That alone entices me. Tyrol is insane, but it takes up a space in the upper grill where I want to install an oil cooler, so Evolve has my vote so far.

 

It may be that an intercooler has a good recovery rate, but that doesn't make it a good intercooler. You can manufacture an intercooler with very low thermal mass, and very little core thickness to have a quick recovery rate. If you have a reason for quick recovery rate (like the stock R53 intercooler), that's great, but there are costs. When you do so, you inherently compromise other desirable effects of a good intercooler, like pressure drop, thermal mass, efficiency and temperature drop.

Unless you have some very unusual, specific needs for your R56 intercooler, you're much better off using a cooler that balances all aspects of charge cooling. That is why we have employed the stepped design which gives both good core thickness (better thermal mass) as well as frontal area (quicker recovery rate). We also feature bull-nosed bars, which increase flow across the face and through the core (better efficiency and less pressure drop), and high fin density (greatest IAT drop). Others have copied certain aspects of our coolers, but none have copied all.

 

Is there a link to your installation instructions Helix?

 

Here's a vid.

 

I have the Helix and love the fit, ease of installation and first class customer service.

 

I am a fan of Helix, don't get me wrong, I went from Helix to Forge, and now contemplating my next iteration. I really should have done testing on each core I had so I could show all the necessary data. If anyone wants to send me their unit for a week I can definitely compile the data.

 

Anyone on this forum have this intercooler from DuelL AG?





Just wondering, thats all.

P.S. I have Helix FMIC for 2 years now and it was worth it.

 

Almost looks oem to me... Like they just painted their logo onto the oem one?

 

I have a Helix FMIC. Just put it on this weekend. What a difference. It's great and I got it from a group buy for just $579 They run the group buys a few times a year it looks like. Best deal ever

 

ok stupid question but when you put intercoolers and any other performance mod do you need to remap? Also the is the water-to-air IC an alternative for fmic? ie you wouldnt have both.

 

You don't need a remap to have an intercooler work as it is a direct bolt-on. However their usefulness is greatly increased with a tune. Meaning they work better in conjunction with a tune but not limited to a tune. Not sure about the water-meth question sorry