Mishimoto rads

[Wh33lhop]

I picked up the Mishimoto after the brand new M42 radiator I got for the swap (early model rad does not work with M50) shit the bed at the endtanks. It was admittedly probably my fault, but I didn't want to deal with/worry about flimsy plastic endtanks while working under the hood, so I got a Mishi E36 rad.

Not that it matters.

[bimmerteck]

you didn't answer my question. What does that have to do with motors swapped into E30s, that often run lower temp t-stats, or that aren't in california? what about the E30s produced from 1991-1994?

I can't speak to the guys running lower thermostats as my customers generally run stock thermostats. BMW motors do tend to run unnecessarily rich if the thermostats are swapped out to too low of a temp and some will never even enter closed loop with an 80 degree thermostat. as for the late e30s BMW was granted an exemption from CARB for the end of the e30s production period, but the e36s had to meet the requirements before going on sale. BMW didn't want to produce cars for 2 separate markets in the US if it didn't have to, so many models sold in the US are california compliant and the rest of us Americans just have to live with the suck.(thanks California! :? )

[nando]

Beginning in late 1991 CARB began requiring all cars sold in California to both meet tighter emissions regulations and have diagnostic capabilities. Raising operating temps made for a more complete burn of the fuel/less emissions, hence the steps from 71-80 degree thermostats in the e30 to 88-92 degree thermostats in the e36. The plastic components could handle the 80 degree heat cycling fine, but after the bump in operating temps the failures began occurred.

you didn't answer my question. What does that have to do with motors swapped into E30s, that often run lower temp t-stats, or that aren't in california? what about the E30s produced from 1991-1994?

[delatlanta1281]

Beginning in late 1991 CARB began requiring all cars sold in California to both meet tighter emissions regulations and have diagnostic capabilities. Raising operating temps made for a more complete burn of the fuel/less emissions, hence the steps from 71-80 degree thermostats in the e30 to 88-92 degree thermostats in the e36. The plastic components could handle the 80 degree heat cycling fine, but after the bump in operating temps the failures began occurred.

So wait, you're saying that people started replacing their stock radiators with mishimotos in the 90s? Ahhh, well that totally makes sense then. So why swap them now? Especially into an e30 with a perfectly good radiator? e30 radiators don't break down like e36 ones do. Why spend alll that money on a mishimoto when you get the same effect and cooling with a $120 Behr for an m20 motor?

[bimmerteck]

Beginning in late 1991 CARB began requiring all cars sold in California to both meet tighter emissions regulations and have diagnostic capabilities. Raising operating temps made for a more complete burn of the fuel/less emissions, hence the steps from 71-80 degree thermostats in the e30 to 88-92 degree thermostats in the e36. The plastic components could handle the 80 degree heat cycling fine, but after the bump in operating temps the failures began occurred.

[delatlanta1281]

Nobody drives those things anyway. Too busy showing off their race quality radiators.

[nando]

aren't lots of guys running lower temp t-stats anyway? and what about all the ODB1 M50NV swaps? what's the excuse there?

[bimmerteck]

what does the engine have to do with the E30 radiator breaking?

The higher temp thermostats (88/92 degree) used in the later OBD motors are a major contributing factor to why the plastic radiators in OBDII BMWS fail like clockwork.

[delatlanta1281]

what does the engine have to do with the E30 radiator breaking?

Nothing. Which is why a swapped car with an e30 radiator seems like the best, cheapest call. The only problem I could see is "burping' the system initially, but after that, it seems like it would be all gravy.

[nando]

Swapped e30s running e36 engines are prone to plastic endtank breakage, hence the mishimoto in my car. It and an aluminum thermostat housing give the performance of an e36 without the plastic cooling system drama. ;)

what does the engine have to do with the E30 radiator breaking?

[delatlanta1281]

Swapped e30s running e36 engines are prone to plastic endtank breakage, hence the mishimoto in my car. It and an aluminum thermostat housing give the performance of an e36 without the plastic cooling system drama. ;)

Jesus... I get it. I have worked on a TON of m50's.... The cooling systems fail at or around 70k. That still doesn't answer my question of why you would put one in an e30 with an m20... or better yet, why not just use an m20 radiator when you do your swap?

[Wanganstyle]

Swapped e30s running e36 engines are prone to plastic endtank breakage, hence the mishimoto in my car. It and an aluminum thermostat housing give the performance of an e36 without the plastic cooling system drama. ;)

yes. e36, e46, e39 all have many connections in the cooling system made out of plastic.

ANY decent metal radiator should negate that explosion risk, as plastics to explode.

the OEM plastic items are good when new and close to new, I have even seen insane factory cars running them but for people who are afraid aluminum may be a better option.

some of the M50 family aftermarket alu thermo housings are crap and fail worse than plastic OEM; beware non genuine items!!!

[bimmerteck]

I can see that on a newer model BMW IE e36 and up... But as I said, why on an e30? Endtanks and hose nipples lasted at least 170k on mine. And when I replaced my original it was barely weeping from the upper corner.

Swapped e30s running e36 engines are prone to plastic endtank breakage, hence the mishimoto in my car. It and an aluminum thermostat housing give the performance of an e36 without the plastic cooling system drama. ;)

[DTM190]

So did you contact them before posting this?

[delatlanta1281]

I can see that on a newer model BMW IE e36 and up... But as I said, why on an e30? Endtanks and hose nipples lasted at least 170k on mine. And when I replaced my original it was barely weeping from the upper corner.