M50 swap - Rad Question

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:01 pm

Just trial fitted the rad I've got, to make sure everything is OK and lo & behold....yet another bloody thing has gone wrong.

The rad I got from a supposed mate of mine, that definately came from an E36 (so he says) is marked M50 2.5.

I got two offside mounts to go into the chassis brackets and here is the driver's side one with the rad in place.

Here's the pass side........

The rad is about an inch too narrow.

Anyone got any ideas on where I've gone wrong, or what rad I've got?????

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:04 pm

Thats def an E36 325 rad, ive got one on mine. You need the standard mount on the N/S and it will fit on the inner rubber

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:06 pm

just noticed youve got a switch where ive got a mount

And it looks like an auto rad

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:10 pm

Thanks for the quick response Dan.

I've tried the std mount on the N/S but it's too long & the cup sits right on the switch (whatever it is).

Auto rad would make sense because there are two of those brass unions (top & bottom) that go into an aux cooling pack on the side of the tank.

Bugger, bugger, bugger

I'm going to give my mate such a slap when I get hold of him

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:15 pm

Yep, I had an auto rad that came with my 525, I did this to the mount to make it fit

But I swapped it for an E36 because it didnt have the plug for the temp sensor

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:32 pm

Doesn't look like a major operation to modify a mount to fit that rad if you can't find an OE one the right size.
I would use the short mount on the left though, so as to get more clearance on the outlet pipe from the resevoir.
IMHO, it's better to use a 325 rad with seperate header tank on the wing.
Leaves more room fot the AFM and air filter.

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:37 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:IMHO, it's better to use a 325 rad with seperate header tank on the wing.
Leaves more room fot the AFM and air filter.

Deffinatley the best way as I found out when trying to squeeze the M30 airbox in

I still may go the seperate header-tank route, but with an alloy tank mounted on the battery tray for extra prettyness

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:05 pm

Hi Brian.

I presume it's the std E30 325 rad you're talking about? Had'nt thought about clearance for the AFM & filter

. Thanks for the heads-up on that

I'll chase one when the scrappies open again on Tuesday.

BTW, did you suss out that ABS relay wiring?

Post Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:37 pm

Sooty wrote:Hi Brian.

I presume it's the std E30 325 rad you're talking about?

BTW, did you suss out that ABS relay wiring?

Standard E30 320 or 325 rad.
Had a quick look at the ABS equipped E30s I have here, and most definitely do not have this relay, but just one does have an extra relay near the ABS ECU - sofurther investigation will take plkace when I have time.
Been too busy these last two days, working on a Fiat Marea and a Cavalier SRi. Yuk!, but it helps appreciate BMW design and quality even more.