What's the *best* radiator for M50?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[325Projectz]

For future refrence:

I'm using a 3 core radiator from a S54 Mcoupe on my euro S50 swap. No mechanical fan, pusher electric.

can you post a picture and part #?

[Eric]

For future refrence:

I'm using a 3 core radiator from a S54 Mcoupe on my euro S50 swap. No mechanical fan, pusher electric.

[Fusion]

I haven't had time to put the rad in yet but another question comes to mind - where does the level sensor go? I have the long sensor currently, do I unplug and plug into a new one? My OBC low coolant level light has been on since I bought the car, not sure why (not because of low level).

[Jand3rson]

Cool, I've got most of it out of there already, I should be able to get the rest out.

[JGood]

Also, what is the little plastic cap with the crosshairs in it, right next to the filler cap? On mine, it's not there, and the PO filled the hole with plastic epoxy, which I've just about got all chipped out. Is it just a seal plug?

That's the bleeder. You may have a tough time getting a new bleeder screw to thread in there and seal properly, unless you can get all of that crap out without damaging the plastic threads.


I think it's only the bottom seal that is holding that tank it.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=104312

[Jand3rson]

You guys that are using the M42 radiator, have any of you ever had to swap out the expansion tank? The retarded PO of the car I got my M42 radiator from painted the expansion tank black, and it's all nasty and yellowed underneath that, so I'm going to replace it.

I removed the 2 allen screws and got the black cap off that's underneath the actual threaded fill cap, but the expansion tank is still pretty stuck in there. I'm sure it probably snaps in to create a good seal, and I've been working at it and prying it up, but it's only moved upwards about 1/8". Are there any tricks to popping it out completely?

Also, what is the little plastic cap with the crosshairs in it, right next to the filler cap? On mine, it's not there, and the PO filled the hole with plastic epoxy, which I've just about got all chipped out. Is it just a seal plug?

[325Projectz]

here is my cooling solution - its whats needed where we see 115º.

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=1993614&postcount=14

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=1994637&postcount=20

[Hartge_H27]

Mine had to be spliced to clear the supercharger

[Fusion]

Thx.
And would anyone happen to have the part# for the upper hose.
Looking at the one that's in there now it seems it may not have the right angle.

[Wishno87]

Its from an 88 and later E30. You will need to find one for your 87.