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  1. Ultimate Cooling - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 4 - Testing Results

    Ultimate Cooling - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 4 - Testing Results

    Everyone loves a dynamic character. Think about it. When have you ever read a book or watched a movie and said to yourself, "Wow, I'm really glad that the main character didn't develop throughout the story"? We long for that feel-good moment when the protagonist reaches a turning point and changes. The development for our F20/F30 intercooler has a relatable plot line.

    022018_NLT_F30_INT_WEB_8

    R&D is a process with its own ups and downs. That's what makes it a challenge, and thus fun for us problem solvers. Even with a lot of research and simulations, some things lead to unexpected outcomes. If you look back through the beginning stages of our development, it's clear that we're taking a unique approach when it comes

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  2. Ultimate Cooling - 2012-2016 BMW F2X/F3X Intercooler R&D Part 3 - Production Sample

    Ultimate Cooling - 2012-2016 BMW F2X/F3X Intercooler R&D Part 3 - Production Sample

    It's been a long time coming since we last left off with the development of this intercooler. While it might have been trying on your patience, and a little on ours, it's not necessarily a bad thing that it took some time. Simply put, how are we going to make sure that what ends up at your door step is perfect if the first doesn't possess the same qualities? And sometimes doing things a little differently takes some time.

    021418_NLT_F30_INT_WEB_3

    If you look back to our last post outlining the design plans, you'll see exactly what I'm on about when it comes to doing things differently. We did end up giving a good amount away then, but since it's been a while, I'll refresh your memory.

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  3. Ultimate Cooling - 2012-2016 BMW F2X/F3X Intercooler R&D Part 2 - Design Plans

    Ultimate Cooling - 2012-2016 BMW F2X/F3X Intercooler R&D Part 2 - Design Plans

    When I last left off our engineer, Steve, was busy scanning and creating a 3D model of the F30 stock unit as a reference for our new design. There is an impressive amount of engineering that has gone into this intercooler project already, with more to come. One of the reasons for this attention to detail is because of the wide range of models that this new cooler is going to fit, as seen by our photo gallery. Another reason is because BMW has a pesky habit of living up to their moniker, "The Ultimate Driving Machine," they leave little room for error.

    Steve working the Faro Design ScanArm to create a 3D model of the stock intercooler unit.
    Steve working the Faro Design ScanArm to create a 3D model of the stock intercooler unit.
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  4. Gas and Grease - The 2017 Philly Cheesesteak Run

    Gas and Grease - The 2017 Philly Cheesesteak Run

    The section of I95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia might seem like drab and uninspired stretch of pavement for the millions of commuters and travelers getting from point A to point B. However, it  serves as the main artery for bringing together people every year in a celebrated event to scarf down the savory staple of Philadelphia's culinary prowess, the cheesesteak. It's not just any group of people, but rather an extensive faction of gear-heads piloting the best vehicles that Germany, England, Japan, and America have to offer to satisfy their craving for speed and the fine mixture of cheese wiz and steak. What caused this yearly pilgrimage to South Philly's very own Tony Luke's cheesesteak stand? Simply one man who found Bimmers and cheesesteaks belonged together, and clearly others shared his appreciation for the combo before finally the event took its current form.

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  5. Ultimate Cooling - 2012-2016 BMW F2X/F3X Intercooler R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    Ultimate Cooling - 2012-2016 BMW F2X/F3X Intercooler R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    Mishimoto prides itself on the ability to improve the cooling systems on just about any vehicle that rolls through the garage door. Intercoolers have become our bread and butter at this point. That being said, BMW's are notoriously over-engineered, so improving on the meticulous German design isn't going to be an easy task.

    It seems that the engineers at BMW wanted to make sure they provided the best equipment on their "Ultimate Driving Machine," which means tight spacing. Peeling the front bumper cover from our loaner 2014 335i M Sport reveals a space no bigger than a toaster oven. A tricky intercooler project lies ahead, but that's OK, because we're up to the challenge.

    The front fascia is secured on tight, but our engineer Steve, left, and project manager, Rob, make</body> " width="600" height="459">
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  6. Protecting the N55 - Catch Can R&D, Part 3: Test Results and Final Look

    Protecting the N55 - Catch Can R&D, Part 3: Test Results and Final Look

    The pre-sale for this kit is now live! Click here to buy the Mishimoto N55 Catch Can Kit!

    Nothing ruins a weekend drive through your favorite back roads more than an unexpected check engine light (CEL). That is, nothing except a flashing check engine light.  Having driven my fair share of Volkswagens, Audis, and more recently Subaru's, I've become quite accustomed to the warm, orange glow of a lit check engine light.  A solid CEL is something that no longer worries me; it's something that I, and most people who modify cars, have come to expect every now and then.  What does still haunt my dreams, however, is the flashing CEL. What's the difference? A solid CEL is usually a fault that's not life-threatening to the engine.  Small issues

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  7. BMW N55 Direct-Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 2: Protect What Matters Most

    BMW N55 Direct-Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 2: Protect What Matters Most

    You spend hours washing, waxing, and polishing. Not a single drop of water or speck of dirt is left on the paint's surface when you're done. The interior is the same story; the carpet, seats, and dash look better than on the day you picked up your new BMW from the dealer. You spend precious time and effort protecting your investment from the outside, but what about the places you can't see? I don't mean that spot under the seat where you have to break every bone in your hand to retrieve your phone. I mean the heart of the car: the engine. Using high-quality fuel is a start to keeping your engine healthy, but there are more threats that you may never see coming until they've already gotten the best of your engine.

    Looking Back

    In the last post, we looked at the N55's stock PCV system; we examined its advantages and disadvantages, and how blow-by can harm your engine. We also took

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  8. An Elegant and Complex System - Direct Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    An Elegant and Complex System - Direct Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    This is it. The leather seat grips your back as hard as your hands grip the wheel and the tires grip the road. The pavement is your playground and nothing can break the connection you have to its twists and turns.  Your mind is calm, but calculating, guiding the wheels through every turn with finesse as the headlights cut through the darkness.  Smooth is fast, and this car is certainly smooth.  When you finally coax yourself to go home, stepping out into the cool night air, you think to yourself, "This is it."

    The Dark Horse of Combustion: Blow-by

    But what aren't you thinking about? Sure, BMW's N55 TwinPower Turbo inline-six engine is smooth and powerful, but what happens inside that engine is much more violent. Internal combustion engines are essentially controlled bombs; air and fuel combust to drive pistons and crankshafts.  One byproduct of this violence is power, but there are darker horses

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  9. The Testing Phase - Mini Cooper Intake Development, Part 3

    The Testing Phase - Mini Cooper Intake Development, Part 3

    We have another update ready to share with the Mini world! In the last post, we went through the process of how this shield was constructed using the waterjet. Now that all the components have been completely assembled, it's time to test and evaluate our system. Check out some sound clips below!

    Our intake dramatically improves the induction sound. The turbo spool is much more pronounced over stock and the intake tone is more aggressive. We know that this is as important for Mini drivers as performance, so we devoted time to making sure that this intake sounds awesome.

    The way this intake is designed fully maxes out airflow potential that the engine sees. It is less restrictive than the stock unit while still making

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  10. Final Product Design - E46 Intake Development, Part 3

    Final Product Design - E46 Intake Development, Part 3

    In our last update, we left you with some dyno results showing the potential this kit has for increased performance. Now that the development process is nearing completion, we have a finished and fully functional prototype to test fit onto a BMW 330i. This kit is a direct fit for the E46 330i and it includes a very straightforward component list and simple installation instructions. Let's jump into what our final kit looks like.

    Final E46 intake prototype
    Final E46 intake prototype

    As seen above, the multi-ply silicone intake hose features a CNC-machined connector for exact fitment onto our filter. The heat shield is made of black powder-coated steel to help keep the filter shielded from the engine bay heat. The weather stripping along the

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