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Sorry if im repeating some old posts but i wanna pick all you turbo boys brains.
I think im gonna have to sort out my own turbo conversion using either todds manifold or the one from 666 fabrication as i cant get an off the shelf kit (rhd m535i)).
Im new to all this so i wanna keep it as simple as poss so im thinking of an a/a intercooler, from what i've read on this forum and the rest of the internet a/a isnt gonna be as efficient at cooling as a w/a but how much difference will there be in the real world? I've owned turbo cars in the past with a/a with no problems and from experience with cosworths in my younger years they can still produce very good power.(Thinking of a similar setup.). I just wanna know if it would be a viable option while keeping it simple.

Please dont baffle me with too much science as im still waiting for my copy of Maximum Boost to arrive (damn ebay sellers). Thanks in advance for any info guys

I heart my air to air intercooler. Even if its only 70 percent efficient, it does the trick. Theres less to fail, less clutter in the engine compartment, no wiring or additional plumbing. On a regular street car a FMIC is more practical to me.

I dont see where you can put an a/a in a M535i. That will be your issue. Even if you remove the oil cooler, that is not much area for an a/a intercooler.

Like Duke said the issue is finding a space large enough for a air/air intercooler of adequate size. It can be done but you will have to get creative with a sawzall and hole saw.

Todd

I was able to fit an well sized a/a intercooler, but it required constructing a new valance which I am not quite done with. I am close though. It has taken a lot of man hours!

Where are you getting your information that w/a intercoolers are more efficient?

Glad to hear it can be done, should make the whole build a bit easier. I'm having a new front panel fitted and wings fitted in the next few months so with the front end in pieces it'll be a bit easier to get everything in the right places.
I've been reading up on the net and most websites seem to agree that water has a higher specific heat value than air (about x4?) Doesnt matter anyway as i'm going with a/a. you can pick them up for between £100-£200 on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUGE-FRONT-MOUNT- ... dZViewItem

rosie_83 wrote:Glad to hear it can be done, should make the whole build a bit easier. I'm having a new front panel fitted and wings fitted in the next few months so with the front end in pieces it'll be a bit easier to get everything in the right places.
I've been reading up on the net and most websites seem to agree that water has a higher specific heat value than air (about x4?) Doesnt matter anyway as i'm going with a/a. you can pick them up for between £100-£200 on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUGE-FRONT-MOUNT- ... dZViewItem

Thats easily twice the size of mine. You dont need that much cooler. I got a generic chinese made one for 65 bucks on ebay. Its about as wide as the one you linked to, but half as tall. It does the trick, and it doesn't look as rediculous as some massive intercooler designed to blow through the very bottom of the core.

Something like the escort wrc intercooler?
http://www.radtec.co.uk/mygallery1/imag ... 871849.jpg

Could be mounted in front of the rad behind the grill or behind the bumper below the number plate. Both should get enough air and wont be seen. Nice.
Behind the grill would be better as the intercooler pipes will be at the right level using the tcd rhd manifold.

I've got mine below/behind the bumper. It doesn't have to be mounted vertially either. I've got mine at about a 65 degree angle from vertical to more effectively use the space under the bumper and up to the bottom of the condensor. Its stealthy too. Not like the rest fo the car is even worth a second look anyway, but the intercooler itself gives no hints.