Upgrade radiator

[austin360]

I've asked this question before my problem is what does it look like and what model of a bmw can it be found on or is there any other radiators that fit and have a slighter bigger capacity of coolant as I'd like to purchase a new one for my 325i e30

[pac1982]

Funnily enough, I asked a very similar question recently take a look

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

[Grrrmachine]

For the 325i, which are very susceptible to overheating, there are three rads: normal, aircon and tropical. No idea exactly how the aircon and tropical differ to eachother, but they're vastly bigger than a standard M20 rad - both wider and longer.

If you do get a bigger rad, you'll need different mounts to fit it, available from the dealer.

[magpie]

you can use an e36 a/c type rad but you need a small rad foot/pad,the same one that's on the drivers side to put on the pass side so it will fit .

[hongkongfuey]

Can I ask why you want an upgrade? Is it overheating? Have you tried removing the black plastic cowling behind the grille to the red? Electric fan? Engine and had flush?

[Brianmoooore]

There seems to be a general idea on here that engines should run as cool as possible. Ideally, an engine should run as hot as possible, within reason, without the coolant boiling at the hottest points in the head.

[daimlerman]

And there was me thinking that the engine's temperature was controlled by the thermostat,the radiator being there to cool the bloody stuff!

[pac1982]

My logic behind fitting a bigger rad wasn't so much for extra cooling but so I had more water to loose should I spring a leak

[Quaser]

i have an a/c one for sale if anyone is interested

[mrLEE30]

My logic behind fitting a bigger rad wasn't so much for extra cooling but so I had more water to loose should I spring a leak

if it has a leak then it does not pressure properly, water under pressure has a different (higher) boiling point, so a system with a leak will not hold pressure and thus the water/coolant will be hotter, boil earlier and cause problems.

The tropical rads are wider and deeper, but not thicker (they are still 2 core), but if you have leaks elesewhere the biggest rad in thr world will not help you...fix the problem..find the leak.

[pac1982]

My logic behind fitting a bigger rad wasn't so much for extra cooling but so I had more water to loose should I spring a leak

if it has a leak then it does not pressure properly, water under pressure has a different (higher) boiling point, so a system with a leak will not hold pressure and thus the water/coolant will be hotter, boil earlier and cause problems.

The tropical rads are wider and deeper, but not thicker (they are still 2 core), but if you have leaks elesewhere the biggest rad in thr world will not help you...fix the problem..find the leak.

its not that I've got a leak already I just want to do a refresh and make everything as good as it can be. But I take on the points that have been raised and will either fit the standard M40 rad or no bigger than an M42 jobby

[jmc330i]

M42 rad is the same as an M50 rad I believe (Infact I'm sure it's listed as used on the E34 525i, both M20 and M50).

I fitted an aircon rad to my 325i, its taller than the standard rad, but dropped in on the same mounts.

[Brianmoooore]

Bigger rad. won't help a lot if you have a leak. Once the level (at the top) has dropped enough to inhibit circulation, the engine is going to cook, however much is left in the bottom of a (bigger) radiator.

[falkor]

from some guys in california, who actually own a few e30s... comes these, what seems so cheap is from their labor, but in their defence, their welder does fantastic work.
i have this ebay one and it works s *edited color for link. yes, i know its violet, but the blue was too bright and became aliased

believe me when i say that this is a very well built radiator, without any plastic parts and should last forever... it fits directly into the existing ( in my case a 89 cabrio) radiator mounts, and works well.

i was definately skeptical, but i did see a few more pix of it installed, and for the low cost, it was worth a try.

well, i have installation pix too, of my own, and i can say it worked perfect up until i crashed my car last summer.

i am planning on buying another when the time comes (from them).

its well worth it (imo) to buy pure alloy, w/out any plastic bits as long as they are available... and i was planning on buying one for my track car too, but i spent far too much money on other things just prior to me selling it.

but, if you need a solid radiator for half the cost of what its worth, and it drops right in to fit, this is it.

yes, it has the port for the sensor
yes, it has the late model side reservoir port
yes, it dropped right in with my own rubber mounts, into the car...

[harry_p]

Some info on where it came from and some pics would help

[DanThe]

Bargain rad there! Shame postage to UK is so expensive, not to mention the extra 20% + handling charge once it lands

[austin360]

Thanks guys il look into a e36 ac rad then ,my car has no leaks all the cooling system has been over hauled I just would like a slightly bigger rad in the car to help cool when I be out messing as air flow when doing circles is not enuf to keep the temps down the needle moves up slowly but never into the red goes back down and stays at half again when took for a short cool down run

[daimlerman]

This may be of interest to you;



From the left;
M40(E30)
M50(ex E34)
M50 (E34 aircon type)


Above shows the bigger radiator installed and it's mount for the fan switch.

Sourced via Meatballs82 when he could discount/courier stuff out from ECP,it cost about £90 IIRC

[mrLEE30]

Some info on where it came from and some pics would help

well simply click on the link he has provided where it says " this ebay link"

[Simon13]

none of those rads pictured are bigger than the tropical rad which is itself 100mm wider and 100mm deeper than stock

the A/C rad is the same width but 100mm deeper

M20 cooling system in fine fettle on a facelift car is more than up to the job on the road and will cope with track work on hot weather.

[falkor]

Some info on where it came from and some pics would help

well simply click on the link he has provided where it says " this ebay link"

good call...
and i fixed it to be slightly more noticable.

yes, the shipping is outlandish, its almost as bad as living in austrailia... (one of the things i would change if i were king for a day).