E30 s54 swap A/C comp to radiator clearance?

[rjmcdermott81]

2 part question here. Here is my setup which was cooling my car fine (180F all the time) until I put A/C in:
16" SPAL Pusher
10" and 8" SPAL Pullers
New mishimoto e30/e36 radiator
New waterpump and thermostat
Pressure tested up to 15psi with no pressure loss

On a 100F day with the A/C on and driving it hard my coolant temp is creeping up to 210F. It stabilizes, I've never seen it go beyond that but it's hotter than what I want.

I think I need a bigger radiator but I can't decide between the Mishimoto X-Line (2 pass) and the z3m radiator. I test mounted the Mishimoto x-line and my e46 compressor is touching it.

Is the z3m radiator more cooling capacity than the standard Mishimoto?

Check out how much thicker the x-line is:



Here is the a/c compressor contacting the weld bead:

[R3Z3N]

With the Mishi Rad and Compressor from the Z4M, no fitment problems:

[R3Z3N]

^Yes, however if you want the variable displacement, you will still need gpetersens board or another that just possibly may come out soonish as you will need to emulate the CAN Bus and K-Bus, then add the AC pressure sensor, lower rad hose sensor and best to use the PWM fan module.

[advancevo27]

Anyone try using an e90 compressor?

Brintech Customs out of Australia has an e30 s54 swap build series on youtube and they use e90 compressors.

Would this work on the US cars?

[dude8383]

For reference I am running the Z3M S54 3 core radiator with the M50/S50 a/c compressor and have just enough clearance.

[R3Z3N]

^ I had custom lines made. Actually getting a second revision because one of them is slightly in the way of the lower rad hose.

[masterofnone]

So how in the hell did you guys fit the high pressure hose on the S54 compressor!? I’ve been bending this thing eveywhch way and it is not allowing a good angle for the line. Even had to grind material off the back of the compressor fitting just to fit it between the compressor and frame.

About to make it difficult and machine a new less bulky fitting and have the AC shop braze a new pipe...

[R3Z3N]

We ended up going with the regular e36 Mishimoto, and there was plenty of room.

Agreed, plenty of room with the E36 Mishi radiator. Brintech slots the end tanks and installs plates in the slots to turn it into a 3 pass rad.

[masterofnone]

I suppose it really comes down to how much these engine mounts will let the engine move. Im assuming not much, so maybe ill be okay.

My airbox is also damn close to the 944 booster and master cylinder too, so really hoping its not going to move much...

[ForcedFirebird]

Looking back I probably should have done that, but already had the Z3 one.

As you can see with the E46 compressor it's quite tight.

Yeah, I took the photo in the op. ;) I guess the customer had the aluminum radiator in his Amazon cart for later and his girlfriend bought it for him, otherwise we were going to run the stocker.

[Staszek]

We ended up going with the regular e36 Mishimoto, and there was plenty of room.

Looking back I probably should have done that, but already had the Z3 one.



As you can see with the E46 compressor it's quite tight.

[ForcedFirebird]

We ended up going with the regular e36 Mishimoto, and there was plenty of room.

[Staszek]

So Im not alone, yay!

Yea if you use the E46 compressor its super close, the E36 one gives you a little more clearance.

[masterofnone]

So Im not alone, yay!

[Staszek]

Is it just me, or is this a little close for comfort?

ArcAsylum sub frame and trans mount
AKG 24v swap mounts
E46M3 Compressor
Z3M Radiator

Maybe if it hits it will just grind away a bit of the radiator there? Or should I grind it? Thoughts please!

Untitled by Evan Nessim, on Flickr

I need to take a pic of mine, we used the all-aluminum Z3 radiator and did a little denting to give a bit more clearance.