Heat Exchanger or Charge Pipes?

[cliverman]

One mod at a time. Would you buy the heat exchanger or charge pipes?

[Djdnav]

Originally Posted by cliverman

One mod at a time. Would you buy the heat exchanger or charge pipes?

Charge pipes. There is almost no measurable gain from swapping the heat exchanger for most drivers.

[trackymbf82]

Originally Posted by Djdnav

Charge pipes. There is almost no measurable gain from swapping the heat exchanger for most drivers.

Also no measurable gain for charge pipes

[F80Moe]

Originally Posted by trackymbf82

Also no measurable gain for charge pipes

No measurable gain for both

However..

Stock Charge pipes fail

[Djdnav]

Originally Posted by trackymbf82

Also no measurable gain for charge pipes

The measureable gain is the stock ones break, and that’s inconvenient.

[trackymbf82]

Originally Posted by Djdnav

The measureable gain is the stock ones break, and that’s inconvenient.

The aftermarket ones come loose and that's inconvenient. I've only seen a couple posts here with cracked charge pipes...

[cliverman]

So neither. Thanks guys.

[schnell325]

I see no issues with CPs. Both my F8x’s have them without issue

[blockdoc]

Originally Posted by cliverman

So neither. Thanks guys.

The reason for charge pipes is a preventative one as the stock ones can fail. If you have any plans to tune and up boost...it is suggested. Plus, most aftermarket have bungs for methanol nozzles!!!

[Spoolin Montego]

Don't waste your money on either. So many companies making mods for non issues for the s55. Chargeipes only if your stock ones break. No point for the cooler, stock one is great. Don't get me started on all these "upgraded" crank hub solutions

[blockdoc]

Originally Posted by Spoolin Montego

Don't waste your money on either. So many companies making mods for non issues for the s55. Chargeipes only if your stock ones break. No point for the cooler, stock one is great. Don't get me started on all these "upgraded" crank hub solutions

Unless you are looking for significantly more horsepower/torque. That is my point....and I assume the goal of the OP since he asked about "first mods".
SCH is a huge concern for me as I will be adding Pure Turbos this month to my Methanol and E30 tune

I upgraded the charge pipes because the stock ones suck ass...but mostly because I added methanol.

[cliverman]

Originally Posted by blockdoc

Unless you are looking for significantly more horsepower/torque. That is my point....and I assume the goal of the OP since he asked about "first mods".
SCH is a huge concern for me as I will be adding Pure Turbos this month to my Methanol and E30 tune

I upgraded the charge pipes because the stock ones suck ass...but mostly because I added methanol.

Thanks. I’ve added Alex’s stage 2+ tune ( incredible btw) and want to make sure I’m safe at these higher levels.

[Brasko]

Originally Posted by Djdnav

Charge pipes. There is almost no measurable gain from swapping the heat exchanger for most drivers.

I would have to disagree. There is a noticeable difference in (consistent) power with my CSF Heat Exchanger. I would recommend it over the charge pipes, especially for those who live hot climates like Florida & California.

[M4309]

Originally Posted by F80Moe

No measurable gain for both

However..

Stock Charge pipes fail

if your running a tune or additional boost, otherwise its a waste....

[smashgordon123]

Ultimately it comes down to your build and whats important. The charge pipes are a super easy install you can do in your garage or pay someone just a few hours work to install.

heat exchanger is a few more hours work and if you have the bumper off you may as well do some other mods at that time.

just my two cents

[ruley74]

Originally Posted by cliverman

Thanks. I’ve added Alex’s stage 2+ tune ( incredible btw) and want to make sure I’m safe at these higher levels.

I have the same tune, that's only a slight bump in boost really. I have no plans with that tune for charge pipes. Heat exchanger on the other hand, if I had the expendable cash after other priorities I would consider, consistent cooler air in equals consistent power with ambient air variations so to me that's a good thing.

[mike@x-ph.com]

We have the CSF heat exchanger on the shop's M4 and the difference is easily noticeable vs stock.

That being said, if i had to start with one mod it would be the charge pipe

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by cliverman

One mod at a time. Would you buy the heat exchanger or charge pipes?

Charge pipes if planning to mod. Few examples of CP failures in this thread:

S55 Intake Charge Pipe Failure
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1113212

Still waiting on definitive data on heat exchangers.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Charge pipe first. Heat exchanger when adding tune and other mods.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We have the CSF heat exchanger on the shop's M4 and the difference is easily noticeable vs stock.

In what way?

Have you been logging iat pre and post?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by domino_z

In what way?

Have you been logging iat pre and post?

I was planning on comparing logs but never got to it.

[Smeargle]

if anything, charge pipes give you better sound and the stock ones crack. No reason not to go that one first based off those facts alone.