Early cooling system radiators NLA and options

[Greg Mierz]

Seems the early radiators have been nla for awhile and no return date in site. I'm looking at a timing belt next year and wonder if I should swap to later style pump and radiator. Is there a relatively simple way to retain the early coolant reservoir with some hose combo or just swap to everything late style.Thanks for any indo or pictures. I saw a couple of Pro3 cars retained the early tank with a later radiator but didn't get a picture of hose arrangement

[e30austin]

i'd convert to the late model cooling system. radiator, water pump, expansion tank, all cooling hoses, and the cross over tube that runs along the front of the engine. frustrating not being able to get basic maintenance parts, but it is what it is.

[moatilliatta]

Expansions tank is determined by water pump.

I've been converting cars to late.. Good bit or work to do it right with the chassis radiator tabs welded in and getting tank tabs just right, but back like factory. E36 plastic radiator works fine too.

[ForcedFirebird]

You can still use early water pump and expansion tank to keep things neat - just don't use the large tee hose under the intake manifold, use a straight tube from the t-stat housing to back of the head. No welding required.

[Northern]

i'd convert to the late model cooling system. radiator, water pump, expansion tank, all cooling hoses, and the cross over tube that runs along the front of the engine. frustrating not being able to get basic maintenance parts, but it is what it is.

100% This, unless you're doing something where you can & want to use an electric pump.

Late rad gives much more for upgrade path (like Z3M)
I'd argue that one of the best aesthetic parts of this is the late model reservoir (and its placement)

AFAIK the crossover pipe is NLA though...
Also IIRC one of the standoffs are missing for the crossover pipe as well.

With the lower rad mounts not being on the frame rails, I just plopped the Z3M rad onto the early lower mounts on the rad support and it seemed to fit well enough?

[varg]

Those crossover tubes are something of a hot item now, aren't they? Probably the single biggest impediment to converting to a late system.

[ForcedFirebird]

Those crossover tubes are something of a hot item now, aren't they? Probably the single biggest impediment to converting to a late system.

About 8yr ago, I had two double milk crates full of them and was cleaning the shop. They were like $25 used on eBay, so I tossed them. There had to be at least 2 dozen. :(

[lukeADE335i]

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...l/17111176900/

Maybe BMW started producing the early radiators again, or is ECS unable to actually supply them when you order? Early 323i radiators seem to be readily available in Europe, but they are smaller than the 325e radiators (the core is similar in size to the 318i radiators with the expansion tank on the side) so might not be the best option.

If you wanted to stick with the early stuff, there’s always the Zionsville all aluminium radiator - they’re expensive, but will probably outlive the car:

https://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/...g-kit-1984-87/

The price might not be so bad vs converting to the late system if the crossover tube prices become completely outrageous once you factor in all the other parts to convert to the late cooling system.

[moatilliatta]

ECS's posted inventory is like hallucinating in the desert.

[Greg Mierz]

I've got the crossover pipe, can I use the e36 rad with the built in overflow tank not sure with model used in some 24v swaps?

[varg]

That radiator should drop right in, the hoses will be off a little bit. The M42 E30 and E36 radiators are the same part number.

[Greg Mierz]

With the M42 style radiator I'll just reroute the coolant reservoir hose of the long t heater hose to the radiator and later pump crossover and some upper hoses, is that right?

[mjweimer]

It looks like FCP has the early radiators available and Schmiedmann says 30 days to order (shipping would make it more $$ but they are pretty good about showing accurate availability).

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-radiator-a-equals-550mm-17111176900

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/product/e2020092-new?product=17-11-1-176-900

[eco325iX]

After reading this now I am curious which system I have? The vehicle is an '89 vert, which is considered an early model body type. However, the vehicle has the newer style expansion tank that is mounted on the left/passenger side, which leads me to believe it has the late model cooling system.

[Parkerbradon]

Interesting