Z3 Radiator into E30 Mounting question.

[synergy141]

Hi, I'm fitting an aluminum z3 rad into my E30 for my swap. Just wondering what people have done for mounting brackets? These rads use a different style mounting point on the sides. Anyone know if there are pre made metal brackets I can weld in or do they have to be custom made?

Pic attached.

Thanks.

[328ijunkie]

Hi, I'm fitting an aluminum z3 rad into my E30 for my swap. Just wondering what people have done for mounting brackets? These rads use a different style mounting point on the sides. Anyone know if there are pre made metal brackets I can weld in or do they have to be custom made?

Pic attached.

Thanks.

Assuming you have a late model E30 that should mount just like stock. Rubber bumpers and all.

[M3PO]

Yep, if it doesn't slot right in, you probably have an early model like me. I bought the brackets from BMW assuming the frame rails are all the same and the brackets would weld right on. That was not the case so I had to modify the brackets quite a bit. If I were you, I would just make the mounts from scratch.

[synergy141]

It's an M3 so it's the early model mounts on the bottom.

I am probably just going to make the mounts and somehow use the factory black plastic mounts that are used with these.

[M3PO]

It's an M3 so it's the early model mounts on the bottom.

I am probably just going to make the mounts and somehow use the factory black plastic mounts that are used with these.

That's essentially what I did. I had to modify the brackets I ordered from BMW a lot to make them work on my frame rails.

[Northern]

I had mine mounted in my early iX before I robbed it for my late iS, and it fit on the mounts on the bottom of the rad support nicely. Somehow it doesn't fit as nicely on the late model cup style mounts, but I think that's just a defect in my rad.

[synergy141]

Took this pic from a late E30 today. Does anyone know if you can still order this metal mount from bmw? It would be great if I could order two and weld them on.

EDIT: Real oem shows two brackets I'm not sure if it's them though. #14 and #15 in the diagram.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1113-USA-12-1990-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=41_0150

[M3PO]

Took this pic from a late E30 today. Does anyone know if you can still order this metal mount from bmw? It would be great if I could order two and weld them on.

EDIT: Real oem shows two brackets I'm not sure if it's them though. #14 and #15 in the diagram.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=41_0150

Yeah, I ordered those brackets. They didn't fit well so I ended up modifying them heavily.

edit: They didn't fit at all. Like the frame rails had been changed from early to late cars.