PWR / C&R Top Mount Charge Air Cooler Upgrade - F8X M2/M3/M4

A true S55 intercooler upgrade from the very best in motorsport cooling. PWR (previously known as C&R Racing) was the air cooler supplier for the BMW Motorsport M4 GT4, making a partnering for a street-friendly upgrade the perfect match. 

PWR and C&R has brought its Motorsport expertise to the top-mount charge air cooler on F87 M2 Competition, F80 M3, and F82 M4. Designed specifically for the S55 and crafted in the US using only high-grade aluminum, the PWR / C&R Racing M2/M3/M4 intercooler outperforms the factory S55 intercooler in any environment. The factory cooler is designed for a specific power target and environment. Adding more performance to the S55 can quickly overwhelm its capabilities. Heat soak and higher intake air temps causes the ECU to downgrade performance until cooler air returns.

PWR and C&R observed that other aftermarket "performance" coolers were bulky and heavy. These companies try to jam the biggest cooling core, made with bottom-market materials, into a tight space and sell it for the cheapest price. These are bulky and heavy with low efficiency and poor flow.

PWR's focus is never on a mass-market jewelry piece but a properly engineered improvement over the existing hardware. They use a tube-and-fin core designed just specifically for the S55 and included turbulators to maximize the cooling efficiency in as small a package as possible. The water distribution piece acts like a plenum for even distribution of the water throughout the internal intercooler cores. The end tanks are billet machined aluminum, not cast, folded, or bonded. 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.

Extensive dyno and street testing confirmed the superior capabilities PWR / C&R were aiming for. The F80 M3 test car gained 5whp and 20wft-lbs without any additional tuning or hardware! Even after multiple dyno pulls the PWR / C&R intake temps were still well under the OEM cooler. Additional improvement can come with a better front heat exchanger and radiator.

C&R Racing (part of the PWR group) and its cooling products are found in all forms of motorsport, including NASCAR, GT, Le Mans, and F1. When BMW Motorsport needed higher cooling performance for their GT cars, they turned to C&R / PWR. Likewise, BimmerWorld used PWR / C&R on our E36 Bergsteiger hill climb and F30 328i race cars with their challenging cooling demands.

The PWR / C&R S55 charge air cooler is a BimmerWorld exclusive and finished in a black wrinkle powdercoat.



Homologation Note: this product may have fitments and applications listed that originally used a different part for rules compliance or homologation. We include these fitments because this part is compatible and may be an improvement or upgrade over the original part. However, as with any racing series or class, it is up to the vehicle builder or owner to ensure parts compliance with series or class rules.

Notice of Emissions Non-Compliance. This product is a direct replacement for the original and closely replicates or improves on the original in fitment, form, and function. As a direct replacement upgrade it has not been designed to trick or disable any emissions controls. It is designed to work with all factory emissions controls in place. However, it has not been evaluated nor tested for emissions compliance. Therefore, it is not legal for installation or use in California on any pollution controlled motor vehicle. It is not legal for installation or use on any pollution controlled motor vehicle in any state, province, or jurisdiction governed by, or which has adopted, CARB or EPA regulations.