New M50, M42 Radiator not cutting it..

[isolatos]

I just replaced my motor due to a cracked head from an overheat. I am running a brand new M42 rad right now. I am also running a 16 inch electric fan. My temp was between 190-200 when driving about 15 minutes. I feel that it should be running cooler than this. I have a 75 degree stat coming tomorrow, and plan on adding water wetter when I swap it. The temp here is around 77 degrees. Am I just being paranoid or should I buy a bigger radiator? If so which one should I get(that is readily available?)
Thanks

[Voluted]

Ive been using my old m42 rad with a 176 thermostat, water wetter, and the OEM aux fan up front. Sitting in traffic in 95 degree weather and the fan on the low speed setting my temperature never passed the half way mark on the gauge. When driving about the temp is usually a half way between the 1/4 mark and the 1/2 mark on the gauge. The OEM thermostat that came out of my motor was 190 degree, so if you still have that in there your temperatures seem normal. I have an M50TU for reference.

[JGood]

I'm running a cheap 12" fan, and sitting in traffic for 30 minutes on 90 degree days hasn't been a problem with my m50 with a m42 radiator.

I'm not sure what my actual temps are, but it stays at exactly half way on the gauge.

[10Toes]

Mine works fine with just a summit racing curved blad electric fan.

[MR 325]

Trust me, the M42 radiator is fine. 195 is about normal I thought? Is your system bled correctly?

[1990m3]

m42 radiator works fine in my s50 track car on even the hottest days. Leave the electric fan on when sitting around and it stays cool, turn it off on the track or highway and the air flow keeps it cool with no issues.

[jrdeamicis]

195 / 200 is fine. (92C Thermo = 197.6).

Sounds about right.

[e30s50dan]

Me too m50 m42 rad no fan very hot here in NC right now. Iam surprised on how well it is. Better not jinks it huh!

[jrdeamicis]

I would at least get an I-6 rad.

[rThor432]

Me too m50 m42 rad no fan very hot here in NC right now.

My S52 did great with the M42 radiator. I drove it for over a year with no fan-- I planned to install one when summer came around but even when it was 90 degrees outside I had no cooling problems. The Stewart high-flow water pump helped out a lot with that.. I highly recommend picking one up. Iirc it was $100 even.

[surebimmer]

The Stewart high-flow water pump helped out a lot with that.. I highly recommend picking one up. Iirc it was $100 even.

Link cheapest i can find is $195

[isolatos]

It was running awesome tonight with the 75 stat and water wetter. Temp never rose above 190. I have a VDO guage in my car. Tomorrow will be the big test. Thanks for all the replys-I just dont wanna spend another 25 hours swappin!!

[MacBudd541]

what radiator hoses are you guys running with an m42 radiator? is there an oe hose that works or do you have to chop one up? i cant find one that works well and i have a lot lying around.

[rThor432]

Link cheapest i can find is $195

Through Worldpac or SSF, so that's a wholesale cost. I'm sure there's a source out there (like Blunt or someone similar) who has access to them at that cost.

[MR 325]

what radiator hoses are you guys running with an m42 radiator? is there an oe hose that works or do you have to chop one up? i cant find one that works well and i have a lot lying around.

I always use E34 525i upper and lower and cut them to fit.