Don't yell at me, I have an expansion tank question.

[94is]

The car I'm doing the swap on has the early style expansion tank on the passengers side. Is there any benefit to using the newer style on the drivers side, or even purchasing an aluminum radiator with a built-in expansion tank? I haven't decided which radiator I want to buy (obviously I want aluminum). What is the best solution to the options available? Thanks for not yelling at me.

[1990m3]

the only advantage I'm aware of to putting the expansion tank in the late model location on the drivers fender is that the hoses running to and from it will be shorter and easier to mock up. I had an expansion tank on the passenger side for a while but didn't care for the hoses running across the engine bay. I switched out for a 318is radiator with built in expansion tank.

[kroberts]

Well the hose will be a lot shorter if you use the driver's side tank!

When I was a noob, I asked the question about using a radiator with the built in ex-tank. They were fitted to the 318's IIRC. The simple answer was why would you want to use a radiator from a 1.8 liter 4-banger in a car with a 3.0 liter 6? The smaller radiator will have a lower capacity for heat transfer. A bad idea.

[94is]

Well the hose will be a lot shorter if you use the driver's side tank!

When I was a noob, I asked the question about using a radiator with the built in ex-tank. They were fitted to the 318's IIRC. The simple answer was why would you want to use a radiator from a 1.8 liter 4-banger in a car with a 3.0 liter 6? The smaller radiator will have a lower capacity for heat transfer. A bad idea.

I want to install an aluminum radiator in the car. I just wanted to know if I should drop the cash on one with the expansion tank built it, or just use an e30 expansion tank. I guess I'll just get another late model expansion tank and an aluminum radiator from Zionsville or CARR. I'm assuming that I'll most likely have to install a pusher fan with the Zionsville radiator due to clearance issues in the engine bay.

[1990m3]

do a parts search on realoem or your parts CD if you have one. You'll find that almost all euro m50 motors are running e30 318is radiators with the built in expansion tank. On the parts diagram it shows radiator dimensions, check it out.

BTW - my 318is radiator seems to work quite perfectly on the track too. It's clean, it's small and light, and it works just fine, especially on a street car

[94is]

The reason I want the aluminum radiator is because they are just so much more reliable. I had the stock radiator in my e36 blow the upper neck at Willow Springs Raceway. Needless to say coolant shooting under my front tires mid-turn at 70mph, wasn't very fun.

[matt]

There is no question, swap.

[delfin]

WTF EXPANSION TANK?! WHAT THE HELL KIND OF MOD IS THAT?!



haha j/k. Let us know how it turns out.

[1990m3]

obviously aluminum is better, I was just saying that I think the smaller radiator provides adequate cooling for most off-track applications.

[PiercedE30]

Can I get a sammich?

lol....j/k

Just use an alu tank with a built in expansion tank, get the 666Fab expansion tank, use an E36 expansion tank, etc. etc.