BMW Charge Air Cooler and J Pipe DIY Upgrade Without Draining the Coolant (M2, M3, M4)

[@motopointcafe]

One thing to add on the J-Pipe is if the new one doesn't come with an O-ring, you need to transfer the one from the stock Pipe or get a new one.... would have helped me the first time I installed it.

[@karlosblends]

I thought I lost it the whole time 🤦🏽‍♂️ ended up transferring the old one 👍🏽

[@maxweinbach3996]

A lot of youtuber's always say modern cars feel disconnected. You sir, just proved them wrong.

[@TommyLGarage]

Comment of the day!!

[@krys_syfres]

“I got to know the car a little better” 😂 the music really added to that! I was literally laughing out loud!

[@slowhandplexi]

Same here haha

[@krys_syfres]

Carlos Ellenberg lol I knew I couldn’t have been the only one 😂

[@EEscoto90]

Yeah I was cracking up when the music started 😂😂

[@KilaByte33]

Perfect timing, mine started leaking and a replacement is on the way. Should be doing mine Friday hopefully

[@TommyLGarage]

Good luck!!

[@Inline6TV]

You and your car have become one 🙏🏼 haha great video I’ll be using this when I install mine.

[@TommyLGarage]

We cuddled after

[@Inline6TV]

Tommy L Garage 😂😂😂

[@brianyoo123]

Finally found this video. I'm about to change the oil housing gasket and was wondering how to remove the charge air cooler without making too much work. Thank you!

[@gotnwrx]

With what you have done to your car have you upgraded your crank hub? I have a f80 m3 and was doing some research. Some people say to change it and some say don't waste your money. So far all I have done is downpipes, intakes and charge pipes.

[@TommyLGarage]

gotnwrx yes. Did it last year

[@coxshua]

Thanks for the idea to blow into the intercooler. I used a shop vac to speed it up considerably.

[@TommyLGarage]

Good idea too!

[@hevendranarayansamy2793]

Great video Tommy. Very informative DIY. 'Gentle cruise' is what you meant. And I see you baby the Alcantara on your steering wheel. Keep the intake don't change it. Look for a solution around it. How has the better cooling been so far?

[@TommyLGarage]

My hands were dirty so I was protecting the wheel hehe. Good call on keeping the intake

[@icybirdman614]

10/10 brother. Absolute power move with the music!

[@TommyLGarage]

Haha

[@BrianHollinger]

Thank you Tommy, installing a Wagner this weekend.

[@TommyLGarage]

Good luck!! This should be helpful

[@2be1withU]

Nice. Great to be your own garage as your name sake. It helps with cost when you know what you are doing instead of bringing the car to the shop.

[@TommyLGarage]

Oh for sure. I saved thousands by doing work myself

[@sagiratha9652]

What’s your 4 month review on this top mount cooler? Thinking of grabbing one😬

[@TommyLGarage]

Heat exchanger is better

[@Abercrombemonkey]

supposedly, you do it because the OEM like mine, leaked completely. Bought a CTS turbo intercooler, and 2 years later this one is leaking as well..

[@flexspec]

Dude again - your videos are so on point. Love how you bled the charge cooler and got to know your car better. Can’t wait to know my car better too. LOL Looking forward to a follow up video on the charge cooler and your thoughts.

[@TommyLGarage]

Make sure to use protection....gloves that is ;)

[@numberdontlie6or9]

I truly enjoy your videos, I can’t explain how much information I learn just by watching & the extent of detail you provide makes it seem easy. I wish to attain a F80 at some point, beautiful car ! Definitely a unicorn in my eyes. Recently lost my job so may take a bit longer but I hope to bounce back soon. One day 👍

[@TommyLGarage]

Hope your luck turns around soon!

[@CaptainCarling]

Would have been good to do a before and after charge temps check, as I have heard there's no significant difference adding these...

[@TommyLGarage]

There is no difference most likely, but withe the heat exchanger and eventually going stage 2 it should help

[@thestimp1]

It should for his track days for sure, maybe not daily.

[@TexasStormChaser]

@@thestimp1 Aluminum retains heat more than the OEM plastic, so no, that will run hotter than stock especially on the track. An aftermarket exchanger with stock air cooler will be best on the track. Turns out, Mishimoto isn't smarter than hundreds of BMW engineers. They'll take your money though.

[@Tobulas1]

Hey, nice video like always. I have few questions and opinion. 1. Are you preparing to install stage 2? :) because if not , i don't think you will feel any different from stock intercooler. These cars&engines tested many hours in hot conditions and don't have any issue. Its nice to see dyno test if its work in hot conditions. 2. Plastic engine cover. There is no space to install? Really like all your videos! Nice job. Greetings from Lithuanian m4 manual owner.

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks! 1. Yes. Eventually doing downpipes and going stage 2. Sometime this year for sure 2. Engine cover fits - I just didn’t put it on because it looks better like this and it’s something I don’t typically run at the track. I’ll put it back on eventually

[@Tobulas1]

@@TommyLGarage and i like your way, first you upgrading grip, heating, handling and than power. I think this is best way to prepare for some stage improvment

[@Breezy2310]

Tommy L Garage I thought you want to stay away from those downpipe smell/fumes!?!

[@01AudioVideo01]

4:40 An air compressor, air nozzle, and a rag. LOW pressure though!! Keep a gap in the rag so air/pressure bleeds off. Or even a bike air pump.

[@TommyLGarage]

Good call!

[@zjldmd]

Thanks Tommy. You approach the job as I would. No shame in loving your car - thanks for posting

[@TommyLGarage]

Haha thanks for watching !

[@Abercrombemonkey]

My OEM intercooler was empty one day, found out because of a code saying charged air too hot. Replaced it with a CTS top mount, 2 years later. I'm getting misfires only when under full throttle at around 4k RPMS and up, with NO codes or checck engine lights. Noticed the fluid for the reservoir is low, so I filled it up to the top of the yellow float, and now a month later its down towards the "bottom" of the yellow float.. This could be the cause of the misfire? assuming its leaking again wtf

[@TommyLGarage]

Head gasket leak?

[@sandman7167]

Do you have any insight on the Dinan monoball in any of your videos?

[@TommyLGarage]

No I don’t but I did GC camber plates

[@OscarCastillo1]

Nice. Stock water pumps? I keep hearing the plastic impeller is still a point of failure. I've had mix results with the water pumps. One car failed with low mileage, another with high mileage.

[@TommyLGarage]

I think stock water pumps on these are solid

[@819productionz4life]

Great job I have to say maybe the best video I seen yet

[@TommyLGarage]

Wow, thanks!

[@henrygarcia3726]

Hey buddy. I'm following the steps and you mentioned that if it bubbles/ foams up there is a leak?

[@TommyLGarage]

Nope. It means it is removing the air bubbles

[@henrygarcia3726]

@@TommyLGarage ahh. Got you! Thanks brother

[@RS3_JAY]

Did you notice that the j pipe seemed to have a little play connected to the throttle body when installed and the stock one is the same ?

[@TommyLGarage]

Jay Carter Yes that is correct. It’s got to play I’m assuming to accommodate for vibrations but there should not be any leaks

[@neoian94]

So the throttle body clamp on the new cooler is only that little metal clip? I feel worried that it would pop off with my luck. Lol

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes that’s the only thing. It’s solid

[@ronintheamazon1492]

My s55 car is 590whp I’ve tracked my car on full e85 in july in miami ( 95 outside ) and the car ran just fine on 100% stock cooling system. Still haven’t seen any evidence that these do anything what so ever.

[@TommyLGarage]

I heard the same. But it’s good to work on the car

[@richardbielicky3603]

Hello Tommy, useful video, thank you for sharing. I am just thinking of installing a new set of Wagner Tunning (intercooler, chargepipes and radiators) on my S55 engine. Unfortunately I am not able to find any information on the Internet if the cooling system really brings any more power. Did you get some more HP or better response on the trottle pedal after finishing the installation of the intercooler and the radiator? .

[@TommyLGarage]

Zero chance In feel. You do this as preventative maintenance. Unless you’re tracking the car you don’t really need the charge cooler or heat exchanger.

[@richardbielicky3603]

@@TommyLGarage Thank you for your reply, appreciate it. It is strange that all the producers of air cooling parts say in their offers that the installation of the device will increase power, torque, etc. It seems that they want to confuse the customer a bit:-)

[@randyg23]

I did my charge cooler and heat exchanger a couple of months ago, I’m wondering since you didn’t show it on your video transferring the mounting brackets from the stock charge cooler to the mishimoto one if they gave you the correct mounting screws. They gave me the wrong ones that wouldn’t fit and I have to run to Home Depot and find some screws that would fit. Luckily I did.

[@TommyLGarage]

All was well on my end. Hope you like the system

[@randyg23]

@@TommyLGarage love the system you get the best bang for your buck compared to the csf one which is a lot more. also thanks for your response love your diy videos, big fan, keep up the good work!

[@vinhgeta]

Did you have to reuse the o ring on the jpipe?

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes I did

[@michaelpolissky]

Awesome video Tommy...something my father would come up back in the old country, we use to do that with fuel and get drunk at the same time...lol

[@TommyLGarage]

I know what you mean!!! Transferring fuel from one barrel to the other

[@michaelpolissky]

@@TommyLGarage Mostly from the barrel to my Go-Kart fuel tank...good old times!

[@NicholasMSmiff]

I have a feeling I'll be using this video haha. Maybe try looking at the BMS or Turner Motorsports Catch Can, they may fit with the intake

[@TommyLGarage]

Good call on BMs!

[@anthonyisgro7185]

Tommy, which intakes do you have?

[@jrw8080]

How necessary are catch cans?

[@Valadcm500]

About to upgrade mine now. Thanks for the amazing video 🫡

[@TommyLGarage]

Happy to help!

[@karlosblends]

If I’m just replacing the intercooler right now can I just put the coolant back in after the install or do I have to drain it ? Also did you have to remove any coolant after completing the sequence 3 times?

[@TommyLGarage]

You can put it back in no problem

[@silentassassin6997]

Have you had any trouble wit the Mishimoto charge cooler hitting the hood?

[@RutlesRyan]

How you liking the mishimoto cooler ? How is it holding up

[@drewh1956]

Appreciate this - I am a less worried about doing this upgrade now.

[@TommyLGarage]

Glad it was helpful !

[@chasingraces8249]

Hey tommy would you follow the same process if you are just topping off the charge cooler reservoir ? Noticed the cooler was hot to the touch after a drive but no codes and car seems fine. Checked the reservoir it’s bone dry

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes you would have to bleed it. If you have a leak you might need to replace your cooler.

[@chasingraces8249]

Tommy L Garage a week before Mpact ... bummer I was thinking the same thing leaking internally. That’s what ya get for being tuned I guess I’ll take it over sch

[@mattp9932]

Tommy. Sorry to ask this here as it’s off subject. What brand spacers do you like? Have you heard about these stories around the forums that 10mm are a bad size for the f80 due to the possibility they could float due to hub size. Do you know anything about that

[@TommyLGarage]

I ran 12mm spacers at the track with zero issues. 10mm are not very popular are are kind of pointless

[@marioslipsos7756]

Nice work! Why did you go with Mishimoto and not with any other brand?

[@TommyLGarage]

Mishimoto actually proves their gains. Other brands have been known to actually lose power

[@thestimp1]

Hey Tommy, can you report your IATs while driving? I'm probably doing this in the next 2 weeks.

[@TommyLGarage]

I’ll do some testing once I install the heat exchanger

[@JrzyG80]

Great work. Looks good. Save money go big single turbo?

[@TommyLGarage]

How about saving a lot of money and going no turbo ??!!

[@JrzyG80]

Tommy L Garage or even better a turbo ......Porsche lol

[@Ur_cristiano_778]

Keep it up bro , your vids are very helpful thanks for sharing!

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!

[@StreetDrivenDaily]

F8x is such a cool car, pretty easy to work on if you ask me, compared to other cars. nice job ! : love Mishimoto products, well done!

[@TommyLGarage]

I agree. And dzieki!

[@alessandrodarif1362]

hi, did you go to the dyno before and after to figure out the difference? Thx

[@TommyLGarage]

Nope wasn’t worth it

[@alessandrodarif1362]

@@TommyLGarage there is no difference with the origin? I hesitate to put one on mine but if you find that it is not useful your opinion is interested

[@alessandrodarif1362]

@@TommyLGarage ?

[@sb449]

Has your mishimoto leaked at all? I did mine last month and it has been low after every drive since the install

[@TommyLGarage]

Nope. I say check your fittings ?

[@sandman7167]

Will this work with the f87 m2?

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes it will

[@legendaryveg1270]

Hi tommy, I decided to get bimmercode after seeing your video on it and everything works great except the door unlocking when ignition is turned off function, when I turn the ignition off the doors do not unlock, I have tried everything and still no luck. Do you happen to know a solution for this?

[@TommyLGarage]

I answered earlier. Not really sure. Coding worked. So it just be hardware related. Have you tried doing it with your spare key fob? Maybe the batter in tour main one is low and it affects it

[@legendaryveg1270]

Tommy L Garage I figured it out, just in case has the same issue. apparently you have to let the doors lock on their own when you drive off

[@surreaLinnovatioN]

I came here just to get ideas for my X5M, @4:00 gained you a subscriber 🤣🤣🤣

[@TommyLGarage]

Welcome to the family !

[@samuelgrossman1205]

Great video Tommy !!!! 😝😝😝. No hands please 😂😂😂

[@TommyLGarage]

Hahah

[@cat-tasticc]

Hey Tommy, can you guess which Charge Air Cooler I am going to buy for my M4 ? After your review...yeah no doubt so thanks again :). I am running BM3 as well stage 2 93. Car sometimes scares the hell outta me.

[@TommyLGarage]

You’ll be happy!

[@marioslipsos7756]

Nice video mate, but you need a voltage stabilizer not a charger

[@TommyLGarage]

Good point. Thanks !

[@mrcryptz]

I had to make my kids leave the room =). Curious can you not run the engine cover with that cooler?

[@TommyLGarage]

Haha Yes you can. I’ll put it back on after the track day

[@diagnostichaus9875]

Great video, check out the Mode Auto Concepts front mount intake if you are looking at switching up to fit the catch tank.

[@TommyLGarage]

Will do. Thanks!

[@luisfarias8604]

Nice vid...funny I was going to ask you about the installing an oil catch can...😅

[@TommyLGarage]

So I’m in a pickle

[@ralphpeiris5996]

I bought a cheap J pipe on eBay and could not put it on and had to tow the car out to a mechanic’s shop. On top of that there was a vacuum leak. I had to replace the Jpipe with another one. Don’t be cheap.

[@TommyLGarage]

Well said!

[@TexasStormChaser]

Stock is better than mishimoto. Sorry about your loss. For the best track day cooling you want a stock charge air cooler and aftermarket heat exchanger. Mishimoto's all aluminum air cooler design is a giant heat soak magnet compared to the plastic which does not retain heat. You just wasted a bunch of time and money and made your car worse. Stock cooler with aftermarket exchanger is impossible to heat soak. Now you NEED an aftermarket exchanger on that mishimoto just to bring it back to stock heat levels. Might as well throw on a hot air intake cone filter in the engine bay while you're at it.

[@TommyLGarage]

I already have the heat exchanger. When paired together they should produce significant gains. Also thanks for the thumbs down !

[@Patrick_Hession98]

Wow that had me laughing 😂. Great video.

[@TommyLGarage]

Haha thanks Patrick

[@MichaelNNguyen]

Pretty COOL video.

[@TommyLGarage]

I see what you did there !

[@maxweinbach3996]

16:07 That's your gentle cruise? Great Video though

[@TommyLGarage]

Haha

[@robertsims5237]

Excellent video. Good details

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks for watching Bob!

[@mikebellows754]

Is that sequence for real for the water pump? Really?

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes. I could not believe it

[@mikebellows754]

Tommy L Garage Crazy. Those steps sort of reminded me of your DCT conversion video! 😂

[@jmciver767]

Good DIY video - looking forward to see your Mishimoto front mount heat exchanger install as that is on my list as well. You should consider getting the Awron gauge to better monitor those temperatures and more. I have it in my F80 and it integrates well with the car. Too bad it is too late for you to get before and after temp data though....

[@TommyLGarage]

Looking into awron as we speak :)

[@loekfelten548]

Nice !

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!

[@Breezy2310]

What a novel idea to blow on the job. It looks like you had some experience with that before🤣🥴

[@TommyLGarage]

I guess I had it coming....zing!

[@littlepeep.9851]

Dude, bro🔥🔥🔥

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!

[@StreetDrivenDaily]

BTW next video. Turbo swap ? :) Whatever you do. Don't get rid of it. Time and money you put into it. Not worth it.

[@TommyLGarage]

I would never do a bigger turbo. Not reliable enough for the track

[@babyyoda8195]

Who needs pornhub? Just watch TLG!

[@TommyLGarage]

Hahah

[@jonathanpinkett5439]

😊U know what I am laughing at.

[@TommyLGarage]

Sshhh don’t tell my wife

[@anthonyisgro7185]

I'm the 500th like! 👍

[@TommyLGarage]

Nice!!

[@Project_4Play]

Keep tommy away from the tail pipes! Lol

[@TommyLGarage]

Too late ;)

[@KimboDogg07]

Tommy stop lying, Kies is too damn expensive… Brian is bugged out on those prices…

[@TommyLGarage]

He’s actually very fair with the pricing and very competitive. Also take advantage of the sales.

[@izuaff04]

big lung technique....😁

[@TommyLGarage]

Lots of practice !

[@jliao3100]

First lololol

[@TommyLGarage]

Cool!