M3 update (no April fools joke here)

[cramer]

The last few weekends I've been working on installing parts I've built up over the last year or two.

Goals: #1 Replace the entire cooling system which means:
PWR aluminium radiator (E30 M3 direct replacement)
Spal cooling fan
Waterpump
Samco hoses
Thermostat
Overflow tank
temp sensors (4 total)
Electric fan fix (typical broken wires at the switch)

Only thing unchanged is the heater core.

#2 Alternator vibration: I couldn't keep the alternator belt tight as the alternator itself moved too much. After installing new poly bushings that did little to help the movement, I found the bolt holes in the mounting bracket had elongated and allowed the mounting bolt to shift around. So new bolts, bracket, adjuster arm and metal sleeves later, it's just like new :)

#3 Oil leaks: Yup, S14 oil leaks - got the timing chain tensioner to stop leaking and replaced the valve cover gasket for a 3 rd time... it appears that those are holdling. Now I have narrowed it down further to the upper oil pan gasket. This will have to wait until the next oil change ;)

On to the pics!

All torn down ready to be cleaned up



Shiny new alternator mounting brackets and sleeves



Test fitting the radiator (great fit, just needed to space the lower mounts a tad to ensure no movement)



and back together (that was quick! ;))





13" Spal fan installed




Last thing to do is finishing wiring in the switch for the Spal fan and go for a drive :)

[backtrail69]

Looks good Chris, you shouldn't need an oil change very often with how much that thing is leaking. :) I suppose I am not one to talk, since I have filled lots with blue smoke before huh... :)

[golde30]

hot damn thats a sexy engine bay. i also need to hunt down some mystery oil leaks on my s50, arent they just annoying as hell??

[dmoney(AB)]

nice install.
how thick is that spal fan?
looks like its floating lol, how does it mount?

[e30lyf]

nice and clean engine bay.

[crunk3]

OMG your Engine Bay is sooo Clean.
More PICS!!!

[BBY1104]

Looks god man

[andrewintraining]

I came

[Jonathan M3]

How much did the radiator run? Thats the only thing I haven't replaced in my cooling system.

[BingM3]

How much did the radiator run? Thats the only thing I haven't replaced in my cooling system.

I think they run between $400-700 depending where you get them from. Jonathan, nice engine bay! Pure SEX!

[Garageaholic]

What did you do about the electric fan? Manufacturer? what is the thickness of it? How much did it run you? Thanks

[WillisE30]

S14s certainly look more interesting than any S5X motors ever will. Glad you got the Exon Valdez cleaned up.

[jpsfab]

love that C/F intake!

[KangamangusDriver]

If that fan is mounted to the radiator using plastic style zip ties, get them out of there!!

I have seen them round out the radiator fins and cause a leaky radiator, no bueno!


Engine looks great!
Love the CF intake mani!!

[cramer]

The radiator is from Bimmerworld, $539

The mounting is the Spal quick mount (zip tie style). BW recommened it for mounting and said they had no issues with it on their race cars. I'm not sure how it would round the fins causing a leak as it's a snug fit when they are inserted into the fins (the horizontal fins, not the main vertical ones that transfer coolant). I guess we'll see how it holds up :)

The 13" Spal fan is the narrow one, 2.05" 920 CFM