What's the *best* radiator for M50?

[dinanm3atl]

I would never use another factory BMW radiator with plastic end tanks. The goal is to remove those parts while you are in there. The M42 just seems too small. You are reducing capacity and radiator surface area compared to the cars they came from. Why would you want to do that?

Mishimoto drops in. It fits perfect. It is also LARGE than the OEM E36 radiator. Seems like a no brainer to me.

[balooshinakus]

I would never use another factory BMW radiator with plastic end tanks. The goal is to remove those parts while you are in there. The M42 just seems too small. You are reducing capacity and radiator surface area compared to the cars they came from. Why would you want to do that?

Mishimoto drops in. It fits perfect. It is also LARGE than the OEM E36 radiator. Seems like a no brainer to me.

I don't need a large radiator, my m42 radiator cools the motor just fine, including autox and track. Why bother with a Mishimoto radiator which costs more, and would require me to get ahold of a new model coolant tank and do extra pluming, when I can use a simple m42 radiator that will work just fine? There are people running super charged motors off of the m42 radiator, it does fine. If you are running AC then it might be an issue, but I am not so it doesn't matter.

[tonywonder]

i think the concern is mostly that it can break easier at the expansion tank. mine busted on my m42. had to replace it. i actually got the mishimoto on a group buy.

[E30_pilot]

Best for me =
internal exp. tank
cools the m50 no problem, I have viscous deleted, but a good 2 speed spal
no fabing, just replace the one that's there

So, since I'm talking euro, M42 rad = early E36 318is?



Part number: 17 11 1 723 537

I have one of these rad sitting in my garage if anyone is interested.

[dinanm3atl]

i think the concern is mostly that it can break easier at the expansion tank. mine busted on my m42. had to replace it. i actually got the mishimoto on a group buy.

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.

[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.

[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]

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?

[Eric]

can you post a picture and part #?

Yes, I'll get one for you.

[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.

[El Gato Liso]

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

[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]

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]

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)

[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