BMW's S55 motor is a modern marvel but one weak point (beside the weedeater sound which is easily corrected with one of our midpipes) we've identified is the entire cooling system for the intake which comprises the charge pipe, the aftercooler and the heat exchanger (or radiator). Finally there is a S55 aftercooler kit upgrade that is good enough to carry the Active Autowerke brand.
Years of success in developing cars for motorsport has allowed Active to leverage its expertise to the top-mount charge air cooler on the F80 M3, F82 M4 and F87 M2 Competition. This aftercooler was made for the S55 and crafted using only high-grade aluminum to outperform the factory aftercooler in all situations from everyday driving to the toughest racing. The factory cooler was built to support a specific power target and environment. Many of you have increased the performance of the S55 which quickly overwhelms the stock cooler leading to heat soak and higher intake air temperatures which triggers the ECU to downgrade the performance until cooler air returns.
Active's focus was not on a mass-market aesthetic add-on but a properly engineered improvement over the existing hardware. Active uses a tube and fin core designed specifically for the S55 with an enhanced design to maximize the cooling efficiency in as small a package as possible.The end tanks are billet machined aluminum, not cast, folded, or bonded and ensure even distribution of the water throughout the internal aftercooler cores. High precision fittings, CNC machining, and TIG welding throughout ensures the highest quality construction to prevent pressure loss, and the lowest weight, in a bolt-on replacement. But we also didn’t leave the aesthetics by the wayside as we dip the visible top of the aftercooler in a carbon fiber coating giving your installed cooling system a decidedly top market look to match the improved cooling performance.
The Active silicone charge pipes for the F80 M3, F82/F83 M4 and the F87 M2 Competition improve the flow over the stock, compressed plastic pipes. The Active Silicone Charge Pipes allow you to maximize power on your F8X by securing all the boost that your S55 is making. These pipes replace the hot-side pipes leaving the turbos and into the top-mount aftercooler. The stock S55 charge pipes are notorious for developing hairline fractures at their plastic seams. These fractures or cracks are unnoticeable to the naked eye, but under boost pressure they open up leaking the desired charged air into the engine bay, and consequently can rob your S55 of it's full power potential. In addition, these leaks can trigger your S55's turbochargers to work harder to hit and maintain target boost pressure, potentially wearing them out sooner. Active uses silicone in this area because it will not contribute to heat soak and it's easier to mold for the correct clearances. Active uses a 5-layer silicone hose with all needed adapters and stainless hose clamps included. It fits perfectly with our CNC’d top-mount cooler.
When it comes to keeping your intake temps down as you push your F8X M3/M4/M2C as hard as possible on the street or track, a larger and more efficient heat exchanger is the obvious choice and this is included in this cooling kit providing great value. The heat exchanger for intercooler systems is often overlooked but has a huge impact on performance. While the heat exchanger doesn't typically give you big power gains, it helps you maintain power even as your intercooler system gets hot. Heat is the enemy of performance. Keep temperatures down and performance will go up as a result of increased efficiency. The stock cooling system heat soaks after only 3 pulls and allows the engine air intake temperatures to rise dangerously. The ECU must then reduce engine power to prevent detonation. With the included high-performance heat exchanger the vehicle does not heat soak even after 7 pulls; more than twice the effectiveness of a stock setup! As an overall cooling upgrade, this three piece kit provides the ultimate solution for your F8X S55 ride.