Can I Put A Better Radiator In A 325e?

[Ben Carufel]

I have a 325eS that's going to be doing some hard driving (read: track time) as a track rat beater in the desert, in the summer -- probably in near-100* heat.

I'd like to upgrade the radiator to something beefier than the thin stock piece.

Someone mentioned that I could just use a 325i radiator and 325i hoses and be good to go...is that the case?

Thanks!

[Ben Carufel]

This is what I read on another site:

"for the [late model E30/E36 radiator] to fit an early model cooling system, you'd need the late model expansion tank retrofitted to your car and the late model water pump, and of course all corresponding hoses. Also you have to modify the connector for the thermo fan I believe."

[e30this]

Change to an "I" water pump you can run the M42 rad with the res on the side.

[Ben Carufel]

I'd actually rather run an aluminum radiator for an E36, like a PWR or Fluidyne...

[e30this]

You just missed out on the group buy on e30tech. Jordan ran one for 175 shipped.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71785

[Ben Carufel]

I was watching it, but we didn't "decide" on our plan for the car until today, unfortunately.

[e30this]

Try summit. They was having deals this month on aluminum rads.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&Ntt=aluminum+radiator&searchinresults=false&N=700+115

[Ben Carufel]

Getting a suitable radiator isn't the issue.

I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to make a later radiator work in an early car.

[e30this]

"I" water pump and All the "I" rad hoses and thats about it.
You can run the "I" over flow on the driver side fender well or switch to an aftermarket over flow tank.

[SpecM]

I think you need the metel cross-over tube from a late-model too

[ethree]

And the thermostat housing.

[mark///m3]

contact be cool. they will make it right to your specs