Author Topic: is there an aftermarket all-aluminum radiator (Read 4465 times)

hoevesruperd · « **on:** March 25, 2008, 08:34:51 PM »

i have found that ireland engineering makes some all aluminum but there are no prices for the 318is

anyone has good input on this?

kowalski · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2008, 12:26:14 AM »

email them and ask?

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2008, 05:58:31 AM »

the email is sent
but maybe another company i dont know of makes them??

oldtimer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2008, 07:20:36 AM »

If I am not mistaken the replacement rad is all aluminum at least the one I got when I replace mind is. I got it through one of the usual Bimmer supplier.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2008, 08:00:54 AM »

i checked on many sites and there are plenty of alu rads for 325 both none for the 318
is there a way to adapt the piping?

oldtimer; the behr OEM replacement has a plastic expansion tank, which is the reason why i want to go with a full aluminum. i want something that will last. if yours has an aluminum tank please let me know the part number!!

also: for the race applications, the radiator is often connected to an additional expansion pack. if i find the a good all aluminum radiator from another model that fits and build appropriate mounts. i could then use an external expansion pack (if not included in the radiator from the other model)

which type of pipes should i use? is there something cheap, heat resistant, flexible and durable? i'm going to wander at work for a while and look at all sorts of pipes and materials

RouteZeroDesign · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2008, 10:41:02 AM »

For pipes, use silicon hoses such as samco's or other alternatives.

In the s42 touring car they used an external expansion tank located behind the exhaust side turret. Checkout swiss's thread in the general section as there are lots of pictures of it there.

Do you have your radiator out already? If you could get the dimensions of it for me im sure i could find you an alternative to the ireland engineering one, such as the radiator out of the integra type R.

You need to find out:
The distance between the two lower mounting holes (center to center), The width, The height and the thickness.

If you are going to run an external expansion tank and use custom silicon hoses then the location of the inputs and outputs arent that important. As long as they are roughly in the same place so as not to affect flow.

Think about it man, we could be innovators, showing people a cheaper diy method. Kinda like how the Honda crowd discovered that they could swap in the Accord's radiator into their civic and almost double their cooling power.
Its kinda lucky you posted this thread up because i was about to do the same.

If you arent bothered measuring il do it if i have to...but im not sure if the dimensions are the same for the E30 and the E36!

D. Clay · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2008, 11:56:33 AM »

There is only one core support listed for E30's in the body parts section. All radiators for E30's should fit. If the 325i radiator has the piping on the upper left for in and lower left for out it should be no problem using IE's aluminum one.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2008, 12:31:04 PM »

the car is 2hours drive from where i'm now. it died on me while visiting my parents! so i have no more daily driver but my skateboard! and i cant really mesure it

samco tubings are way too expensive for me to use. i will try to find alternatives (i work at an hardware store.. there might be a heat resitant flexible tubing used for hotwater in the plumbing department.

the idea of having an expansion tank is so i could use all alu cores with smaller tanks but if i use the 325i then i dont need it.

better cooling properties aren't really important as i dont have a modified m42 and i think its already well designed. the point of having an all alu radiator was to get rid of all the problems associated with plastic like cracking and such

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2008, 12:33:51 PM »

i received an email from ireland engineering that says the 318is and 325i dont have the same tubing pattern. i'll see if this is an issue

D. Clay · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2008, 04:09:55 PM »

I see no problem looking at the pics in BMAParts.com for the 318is and the 325i. Use one of these:http://www.jegs.com/p/Moroso/744355/10002/-1/10603
or do some creative plumbing. Jeg's has all kinds of stuff including the fast and expensive:http://www.jegs.com/p/Moroso/744429/10002/-1/10127

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2008, 08:17:05 PM »

why do i need the bleeder? i've seen that on a M3 E30 race car at TC automotive (bmw specialist owned by a novice bmw racer)
but the 325i stock and 318i stock has the same design
the only difference i see between the all alu from IE is that there is no hose connection on the bottom of the tank! what is the purpose of that hose? is it going to the heater or anything like that which i don't really need? the car will become a summer fun car so no heater / tb heater will be needed

here's the rad from IE

i'm still wondering if its really worth it. i mean the rad is going to cost me 400$ when BMA has one for 165. i was looking at the upgrade as a good option when i heard the price (300CAD) of my local parts store. now it sorta makes no sense to go with an IE

more thinking to come

thanks for your help D.Clay, i appreciate

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2008, 04:32:43 PM »

Unless that car is driven very, very hard or has some serious mods there is no reason you should need a better radiatior. I'm hard-pressed to get the temp gauge over the halfway point, and I tried pretty hard because I wanted to make sure the electric fan would work. No matter what I did (75 degrees outside) I couldn't even get the fan to come on high speed or the needle to go over the middle dash. BTW I don't have an aux fan.

Belteshazzar · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:02:07 AM »

absolutely correct

the only reason to upgrade is longevity. And at +2.5X's the price, it doesn't make a lot of sense. or cents.

Belteshazzar · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:03:30 AM »

that being said, I know for a fact fluidyne's e36 radiator fits e30's.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:10:39 AM »

Quote from: Belteshazzar;45699

absolutely correct

the only reason to upgrade is longevity. And at +2.5X's the price, it doesn't make a lot of sense. or cents.

totally agree! i will go with a bma nissen radiator and make it last
thanks for the help