Finishing a M20B25 swap into an '86 325es

[hoki06]

Hey guys, I'm new to r3v and E30s in general. I have an E36 M3 track car and E82 128i daily so I'm not new to the BMW scene.

The other week I bought a '86 325es that has had a M20B25 swapped in and needs some finishing touches to get it running. I'm doing a lot of searching but wanted to post some questions I have and possibly get some quick answers and/or opinions.

Here are the details on the car and swap I got from the PO:
1986 325es
1990 325i engine, trans, and harness
3.73 LSD

What needs to be completed:
Swap in 325i radiator and button up cooling system
Install intake and associated pieces
Check all swap wiring (my requirement, not from PO)
Replace rear shocks and springs
A bunch of other small things once its running

My current questions revolve around the cooling system. The car currently still has the 'e' radiator installed so I know I need an 'i' radiator to match up to the rest of the cooling system. In my research I've read about the differences between the early and late cooling systems so I'm thinking I need to get an early 325i (thru 8/87) radiator so it bolts up into my '86. Is this correct? Will the rest of the '90 cooling system match up with an early radiator?

If I was to install a late 325i radiator, what exactly is the difference in how it mounts in the car? Is my research correct in that the bottom mounts are the same but I'll need a custom solution for the top?

Is the late radiator better than early? If so, why?

Thanks for any tips or advice.

[hoki06]

Further research has confirmed my thoughts and I'll be getting a late 325i radiator and making sure the rest of the cooling system has been swapped to the later style. The only thing I'm still unsure of is the upper mounts of the late radiator in my '86. Any help with that would be great.

[uturn]

The late style radiator is held on top by two screws through the plastic piece that has two rubber bumpers.

[hoki06]

The late style radiator is held on top by two screws through the plastic piece that has two rubber bumpers.

Thanks, I finally found some pictures that confirmed the differences for me. I know of someone locally parting out a late 318i so I'm going to grab it from him.