Upgraded Radiator Options - Built In Expansion Tank

[Panici]

Hey all,


Looking to upgrade from the OEM spec M42 radiator in my car currently.
Would like a solution with an integrated expansion tank for packaging.

The unit I have currently is a Behr/Hella branded CR330000P. (Google tells me this has a 34mm thick core.)



The most economical option I've found so far with a thicker core is the Cooling Solutions (with a 50mm core).

https://www.driftshop.com/cooling-solutions-bmw-e36-aluminium-radiator.html

However it looks like shipping from driftshop is almost €200 to bring it to Canada.


Any other options you guys can suggest that won't break the bank?


And a note for myself later, Eastwood Radiator Black seems to be the choice if I get a polished radiator.

[Panici]

Looks like Aliexpress has a 42mm thick one, and it comes in black too.

Anyone tried these out?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006287488480.html

[varg]

I am not aware of any drop in upgrades for the integrated tank radiators other than CATuned which is probably a relabel of what you linked here. I have doubts about how much of an upgrade that really is, the same area and under 20mm thicker. I know you shaved your engine bay, but frankly I'd go with a Z3M radiator like what is in my E30 with some external expansion tank, whether that be a repurposed E36 tank mounted to the radiator or something that fits in a stock-ish location. I used a generic aluminum expansion tank made for a mini cooper in my very space constrained turbo E34. IIRC the Z3M radiator area is about 15% larger than the OEM E30 318is radiator and it is maybe 10mm thicker.

[TobyB]

I had a lot of hassle with the integrated reservoir on E36's- it just never seemed like an upgrade...
between leaking and splitting and delaminating, I think I went through 3 or 4 of them.

That said, the early E39 radiator is pretty durable and has an attached right- side reservoir.
Whether it would FIT is an entirely different question...

no help here,
t