I've never had an intercooler anodized by ETS, but I have had an intercooler anodized for a 335i I used to have.

It didn't have any waviness to it. A good anodizing should bind to all the exposed aluminum. Looks to me like it wasn't properly cleaned before anodizing.

As for the fins, I wouldn't worry about it. You'll have that many bent from just driving in a week lost likely.

I wouldn't worry, ETS is a great vendor, they'll take care of you one way or another.

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with the intercooler mechanically, this was a post regarding the cosmetics of the anodizing. I've never seen one look like this, which is why I was wondering if it may have just gotten past them. I'll find Michael, I don't know who he is but he may be able to answer my questions.

For the record, again, this post isn't supposed to put ETS on blast, I really like the company, so much so that I actually feel bad about not being happy with the anodizing. Which is why I'm asking EvoM what they think so I don't go to them with a repair request when/if it's completely normal. It just doesn't look "normal" to me.

So on a search for Michael I go.

For those who tried to help: Thank you.

 

the intercooler is fine...

 

Again, I'm not saying it's "bad".....

But thank you for your opinion! :/

 

Pm ets on here with your issue. Or call them. Give them a chance to make it right. I do like the fact that you've been professional about the post. People's opinions are just that, opinions. Take them as you will.

 

The guy makes a post to get some perspective from fellow Evo owners regarding a product he purchased, is gracious in his comments toward the company, and you tell him he's "airing out his dirty laundry?" Good grief.

 

I can see the wavyness on the bars. That indicates something was used to bond the fins to the bars and was not properly cleaned prior to anodizing it. Usually they buff or clean the surfaces, chemically strip the parts and then dip it. I ran into the same issue when I have my ARC intake and catch can were anodized blue. They had to redo it.

Personally, since you spent the money on the anodizing process, it should be redone.

 

Hey Guys!

I just looked over the pictures. I think what the OP is trying to point is the difference in color on the external bar. The difference in color is actually from the brazing process when the intercooler is made. This is common.

The reason you don't see this on some of the other companies intercoolers is due to the intercooler being painted with silver epoxy paint, which gives the intercooler more of a uniform look and to prevent leaks. The problem with painted cores is you can't anodize them, the chemical bath will destroy the coating and the core will leak. Painted cores also have a tendency to leak over time due to poor QC.

We don't paint our cores. We pressure check each core and check for leaks prior to anodizing and shipping out to the customer. This process allows the intercooler to do a better job transfer/dissipating heat over a painted core.

The bent fins can be straightened out with a flat head screw driver or a pair of pliers.

Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions.

360-893-3000 or email Michael@extremeturbosystems.com

Thanks!

Michael

 

Looks completely normal. I would like to see what it looks like after a month of driving. Then you can come tell us if you still care about what it looked like before it went on the car. Its a functional item. Yes it looks great and is a very fashionable piece of hardware, but its the first thing to catch all kinds of crap on the road. I hated watching fins get bent, but you'll become numb to it just like the rest of us. It pretty much like getting a shiny coating on the bed of a pickup. If you use it at all, wave bye bye to Mr. shiny. Put that thing on the car and don't lose any sleep over it