The complete repair, rebuild, repaint, and v8 swap of my early model sedan

[JGood]

Is yours leaking at the plugs to?

None of mine leaked at the plugs. I just made a recommendation to buy better quality plugs based on how the ones included appeared cheap and brittle.

[JGood]

Mishimoto radiator #4 arrived... defective. Just like #3, the overflow nipple is too close to the end tank, so you can't get a hose clamp on. I originally thought it was installed at an angle, but that's not the case. My old radiator had a 1/8" gap between the nipple and end tank, the new one has a 1/16" gap. Combine that with a brittle nipple and poorly tapped NPT threads, and you have a major issue.

I just emailed them about it. I'm curious to see how they'll handle it. It's a simple production change, they just need to enlarge the 'box' that is used to create the corner that the nipple sits in.

[JGood]

Also, my new rear wheel bearing with ~100 miles on it is already making noise. I got it at Autozone. The Autozone 'store brand' front wheel bearings are re-boxed Timkin's with a lifetime warranty for $100, so I figured I'd try the rears and hope for the same. No such luck. They were KML brand, which I had never heard of, and apparently they aren't very good. They have a 1 yr warranty, so I'll just take it back and get a refund when I get the new one installed. No biggie, got a FAG on the way! :)

[pandaboo911]

Just buy a Behr z3m 3 core. I paid $150 for mine and they are as good as OEM

I had 3 Mishimoto's crack at the end tank welds. But that was at race temp, they probably won't crack street driving.

[JGood]

Just buy a Behr z3m 3 core. I paid $150 for mine and they are as good as OEM

I had 3 Mishimoto's crack at the end tank welds. But that was at race temp, they probably won't crack street driving.

Yeah, that's the same conclusion I came to. Thanks

[JGood]

I'm not going to go as far as saying Mishimoto has completely dropped the ball (yet...) But they haven't exactly done a whole lot for me. First, I sent the pic that I posted above, with a 2 paragraph explanation of the problem, some measurements, and the only real solution (increase the size of the corner recess to allow more room around the fitting). The fitting hole is drilled so close to the edges already, that it's not possible to move it away from the edge that it's near.

They responded asking me what the thread pitch of the fitting was. Well, it's 1/4" NPT, and I'd like to think that you would know that... But I digress.

They responded again saying the ones in the warehouse have the same fitting, so sending me a new radiator won't help. But they were willing to send me silicon lubricant or try to find a different nipple. At this point it was clear that they do not understand the actual problem, so I sent another set of pics, showing that it's possible to stick a screwdriver between the fitting and end tank on the old rad, but not possible to put the same screwdriver between the fitting and end tank on the new radiator.

It's now been two days of waiting for them to get a picture of the radiator(s) they have in the warehouse, to see if they will work for me. I'm not sure what good this will do, as I won't be able to visually see if it's a 1/8" or 1/16" gap.

I suggested that someone maybe just take a 5/16" hose and try to stick it on the nipple, and they'd see the problem, it can't be installed, at which point they *should* realize they are selling an unusable radiator, and hopefully make a design change. But it doesn't sound like there is any interest in that at this point. I'm not sure how anyone else is using these newer Z3M rads?



OLD RAD:






NEW RAD

[bradnic]

You're definitely talking to the wrong person there. They need to relay your info back to their product and factory people.

In the meantime, go with the OEM 3 core. You don't owe Mishimoto anything man

[Mishimoto]

Mishimoto radiator #4 is set to arrive tomorrow. This one was free of charge, with free 2nd day air shipping. Hard to beat their customer service.

#3 arrived a few days ago with a defective overflow nipple. Stripped threads and angled to the point where I couldn't get the hose installed.

Once I receive the new one, I'll weld the overflow hole on #3 shut and either drill & tap a new hole or weld a bung on somewhere for a new barb, and keep it as a spare.


My recommendation to anyone buying these radiators is to immediately replace the plugs with higher quality stuff. They seem to use a very porous, cheap, cast aluminum for the nipple, temp sensor plug, and drain plug. They almost feel like plastic.

Mishimoto radiator #4 arrived... defective. Just like #3, the overflow nipple is too close to the end tank, so you can't get a hose clamp on. I originally thought it was installed at an angle, but that's not the case. My old radiator had a 1/8" gap between the nipple and end tank, the new one has a 1/16" gap. Combine that with a brittle nipple and poorly tapped NPT threads, and you have a major issue.

I just emailed them about it. I'm curious to see how they'll handle it. It's a simple production change, they just need to enlarge the 'box' that is used to create the corner that the nipple sits in.

I'm not going to go as far as saying Mishimoto has completely dropped the ball (yet...) But they haven't exactly done a whole lot for me. First, I sent the pic that I posted above, with a 2 paragraph explanation of the problem, some measurements, and the only real solution (increase the size of the corner recess to allow more room around the fitting). The fitting hole is drilled so close to the edges already, that it's not possible to move it away from the edge that it's near.

They responded asking me what the thread pitch of the fitting was. Well, it's 1/4" NPT, and I'd like to think that you would know that... But I digress.

They responded again saying the ones in the warehouse have the same fitting, so sending me a new radiator won't help. But they were willing to send me silicon lubricant or try to find a different nipple. At this point it was clear that they do not understand the actual problem, so I sent another set of pics, showing that it's possible to stick a screwdriver between the fitting and end tank on the old rad, but not possible to put the same screwdriver between the fitting and end tank on the new radiator.

It's now been two days of waiting for them to get a picture of the radiator(s) they have in the warehouse, to see if they will work for me. I'm not sure what good this will do, as I won't be able to visually see if it's a 1/8" or 1/16" gap.

I suggested that someone maybe just take a 5/16" hose and try to stick it on the nipple, and they'd see the problem, it can't be installed, at which point they *should* realize they are selling an unusable radiator, and hopefully make a design change. But it doesn't sound like there is any interest in that at this point. I'm not sure how anyone else is using these newer Z3M rads?

I truly apologize for both the failures and fitment issues you are having with our Z3M radiator. There appears to be a disconnect with our customer service team that I will attempt to alleviate. I will also work to correct the product design issue that appears to be plaguing these units.

Sending a PM your way shortly to sort this out!

[LoneWolf]

Check that out, mishimoto stepping in.

I have one of these rads waiting for my swap. I hope it works out for you.

[Zacm829]

I need to check the nipple on my Mishimoto that is going in the car next week, hopefully mine isnt affected. Good Luck, I'm sure they will work it out for you.

[Chris916]

Those nipples have been tight on both the mishimoto rads I have (e36 rad and z3m rad) I manage to get the hose on with the hose clamp, but it definitely takes a bit of effort and time. would be nice to see this issue rectified.

[iwantspeed]

Those nipples have been tight on both the mishimoto rads I have (e36 rad and z3m rad) I manage to get the hose on with the hose clamp, but it definitely takes a bit of effort and time. would be nice to see this issue rectified.

Same with mine.
Regular e36 m3 radiator.

You can barely fit a hose and clamp on the main outlet and the overflow nipple at the same time.

I was like really, they couldn't have spaced it down a tiny bit more.

[Mishimoto]

Those nipples have been tight on both the mishimoto rads I have (e36 rad and z3m rad) I manage to get the hose on with the hose clamp, but it definitely takes a bit of effort and time. would be nice to see this issue rectified.

Same with mine.
Regular e36 m3 radiator.

You can barely fit a hose and clamp on the main outlet and the overflow nipple at the same time.

I was like really, they couldn't have spaced it down a tiny bit more.

Thanks for the feedback guys! This issue has been relayed to our production/engineering group. Working with the OP on a solution!

[F34R]

Thanks for the feedback guys! This issue has been relayed to our production/engineering group. Working with the OP on a solution!

About time! they are such a bitch to put on.

[MR 325]

Thanks for the feedback guys! This issue has been relayed to our production/engineering group. Working with the OP on a solution!

I'm glad to hear you guys are opening your ears to your customers! Especially the E30 community. As a mod here I really appreciate it. I originally wanted to order myself one of your radiators but after Justin's recent posts I've been thinking twice. Looking forward to updates on the situation.