What's the *best* radiator for M50?

[Fusion]

The whole problem was that the gaskets on the old cap were used/hard/squished.
Bought a new 2bar cap, no more breathing and I'll report back on how it all works.

[nando]

For this reason. BMW plastic end tanks and the overflow tanks attached to the radiator(E36 type garbage) are known failure points.

The aluminum radiator removes part of that equation and is larger and sits right on the OEM Mounts. There is a little extra plumbing but well worth it. I have see some nasty ass overflow tanks in the E28 and E30 cars but I personally have never had a failure or had to fix one. They just seem of higher quality.

I've seen a lot of E30 radiators that were original 20+ years old / 200k+ miles and didn't have any problems with the plastic end tanks.. it's not the E30's fault that the E36 is a pile of shit. :p

[FredK]

By increasing the cap pressure, and therefore cooling system pressure, the heat capacity of the cooling system is increased. The M42 outputs less power, and most likely does not throw out as much heat as an M5x. That's probably why the M42 has a 1.4 bar cap, and the M20 and M50 have 2.0 bar caps.

The Euro E34 525i actually shared the same 440mm radiator as found in the 318is, but used a 2.0 bar radiator cap. So, you'll want to also use a 2.0 bar cap on your car.

[Fusion]

Checked everything I could in the parts catalogs and the only difference is the pressure rating.
Why is 318is exp. tank 1.4bar and 325i exp. tank 2.0bar?

[Fusion]

Got it mounted, got some junkyard hoses, filled up and came across a new "problem".
I got the M42 rad without a cap, and thought that the old one would fit, they look the same. Problem is when I screw the cap on, tight enough and press the upper hose, I can hear it breathing through there (bleeder screw is tight).
Are the caps diffent in some way or am I just missing a gasket? I don't think the cap has one, though it sealed fine on the old exp. tank.

Oh and there's a 1.4 or 2.0 bar cap. Which one is adequate?

[F34R]

I have the Mishimoto radiator and I want to replace the hoses when I do the swap. So on ebay there is some good ones, what do you guys think?

I am also planning on a turbo in a year or two after I am done. Would it be better to get the silicone hoses?

Matches my radiator:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300326987780&viewitem=&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2&category=33602

Cheaper, but is the brand any good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-SILICONE-RADIATOR-HOSES-92-97-BMW-E36-325i-328i-M3-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5adcda82caQQitemZ390252364490QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1070wt_1167

And since the engine is from '94 should I just replace all the coolant hoses?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-325i-325is-325ic-Hose-Kit-Pipe-Radiator-Water-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3ef102ab3bQQitemZ270331456315QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1385wt_941

[Fusion]

I think I have that same hose, but am looking for one with a better 90° angle.
Can anyone recommend a part number? Cuz the catalog drawings don't have correct shapes and don't list specs.
(the hose in the white engine bay pic)

[El Gato Liso]

it looks that way, but its perfectly fine. 4 months with this engine running 100% fine. no cooling issues.

either way, things expand when they get hot ;)

[Fusion]

Thanks Fred.
I have the support on the drivers side, seems someone deleted it on pass. side, but I was able to set it up pretty good. Now I just have to work out the hoses.

Gato: isn't it a bad idea to have the upper hose bent/squished like that at the flange?

[El Gato Liso]

i used my stock m20 radiator. the fan sits like 2 mm from it, but it works :crazy:

[FredK]

I actually bought the rubber tabs, I have parts 5, 6, 7, 8.

Not sure if maybe the PO got rid of the L brackets, I'll check or fab something.
So the radiator pretty much "sits" between these brackets and isn't bolted directly to anything right?

On a late model, the radiator sits on the plastic feet #3 and #4, which clip into metal tabs welded on the frame rails of the car. The radiator is not bolted to the car.

On an early model, there are L shaped brackets welded directly underneath the radiator, on the radiator support.

[Eric]

can you post a picture and part #?

Yes, I'll get one for you.

[Fusion]

I actually bought the rubber tabs, I have parts 5, 6, 7, 8.



Not sure if maybe the PO got rid of the L brackets, I'll check or fab something.
So the radiator pretty much "sits" between these brackets and isn't bolted directly to anything right?

[FredK]

If you have an 87 E30, then you probably have sheetmetal L brackets to support the radiator that are welded to roughly the center of the radiator support. The L shaped brackets have, for early model E30s, round rubber isolators that sit on them. You will need to space these up somehow--threaded rod and some rubber bumpers will work.

The late model E30s have provisions for mounting the radiator on their end tanks.

[Fusion]

Ok, new question. A pretty dumb one. I started replacing everything today and what I don't understand is what holds the M42 rad in place? As in bolt-up. Because I got the upper mount with the rubber things an that just seems to hold the rad from moving, but doesn't bolt to the radiator. So is it mainly held up by something under the radiator?
The one that was in there had two protrusions on the sides and was bolted close to the lights.

And what radiator is in this pic? The one I bought seems to have like a 1/4 inch thinner core.