The BMW N54 engine is well known for its incredible power potential. Many owners are pushing well over 500hp out of these motors and some have seen as high as 1000hp. Truly amazing performance can be achieved when using the proper components from quality high performance companies, including a worthy high performance intercooler to handle the increased Intake Air Temperatures (IATs) generated from more power and higher boost pressures associated with these built vehicles.The OEM intercooler is made from plastic end tanks that are crimped onto an aluminum tube/fin core that is 4 inches thick (105mm core width) and is 5 inches in height (127mm). This may be enough to keep IAT's in check on a completely unmodified / stock vehicle, but once users to start increase power through bolt-on modifications, tuning, and built engines, the OEM intercooler will become the Achilles Heel of the system with IAT's skyrocketing out of the optimal range and drastically lowering the performance capabilities of the vehicle. Enter CSF with their stepped core design, bar/plate high performance N54 intercooler. This "drop-in fit" intercooler, which requires no modifications to install, has a bottom / larger section that is 5.5in thick (140mm) with a front face that is massive 8.25in tall (210mm). Made from CSF's industry exclusive rounded bar/plate core design. The rounded front face of the cooling bars allows for better airflow into the core. Airflow hits the core surface, and rather than scattering like it does with hitting the face of a flat bar that all competing products have, it travels around the face of the round bar and into core for much better performance than both the OEM design (flat face) and all other aftermarket competitors (all have flat face tubes or bars). A huge improvement over the OEM unit, and enough to handle even the most advanced N54 engine builds. Good for 1000hp no problem!The CSF N54 Intercooler's Stepped Core Design maximizes surface area contact and internal intake air-flow volume. The Rounded Front Face Bar/Plate Design optimizes airflow through the core and is a true "Drop-in Fit" Plug-and-Play Design.The CSF #8127 comes in a silver finish. It is also available in black (CSF #8127B)