bigger capacity radiator

coupelady

coupelady

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I wanted to ask if anyone has upgraded their core (or had a radiator made) for their 3.0 that has a 3.5 Euro engine? Mine wants to get warm. I am all ears - where did you purchase it? I am very sure that there are capable shops around here (NC) that can make one but I bet that is pricey. Any and all experiences that you care to share I'd appreciate it. My restoration is from 1992.

Amy Lester
 
One way to increase the cooling capacity of a radiator is to have a radiator shop install a heavy-duty core with your existing upper and lower tanks. Between getting a fresh core with no deposits, plus more cooling area, the capacity will be increased.

I am very sure that there are capable shops around here
Click to expand...

Don't be too sure - since modern cars have plastic & aluminum radiators, soldering copper to fix or modify an old-time radiator is becoming a lost art.
 
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+1. I had my stock radiator recored to a triple core one, keeping the top and bottom halves. Ask around if your local shops can do this, it cost about $350 and it maintains the stock look under the hood which was a plus for me. Tell them to not change any of the dimensions otherwise refitment will be an issue.

jmackro said:
One way to increase the cooling capacity of a radiator is to have a radiator shop install a heavy-duty core with your existing upper and lower tanks. Between getting a fresh core with no deposits, plus more cooling area, the capacity will be increased.



Don't be too sure - since modern cars have plastic & aluminum radiators, soldering copper to fix or modify an old-time radiator is becoming a lost art.
Click to expand...
 
I also went whole hog with my rad and had a high efficiency triple core grafted in the original end tanks. Created a new problem though, as the there is no room for the stock fan, so I am going with a Spal pusher fan up front.

Will be selling a brand new water pump, hydraulic clutch and Black fan blade if anybody wants a deal on some new bits. 65% of new price (bought from Mesa Performance )
 
Hmmm I did not have this problem and I have the longer nose cone set up.

Nicad said:
I also went whole hog with my rad and had a high efficiency triple core grafted in the original end tanks. Created a new problem though, as the there is no room for the stock fan, so I am going with a Spal pusher fan up front.

Will be selling a brand new water pump, hydraulic clutch and Black fan blade if anybody wants a deal on some new bits. 65% of new price (bought from Mesa Performance )
Click to expand...
 
Fresh core is always good. IMHO BMW's are naturally? prone to heating problems. You could call a local air conditioning repair shop and ask them, or if there is any"restoration" shop in the area they usually farm the re-cores out and there is nothing really special about the stock BMW radiator so their recommended shop should be able to handle it no problem. In my restoration process I had this done as a matter of course and once installed and all the air was bled out I have not experienced any over-heating problems even with the A/C on in Austin.
 
Nicad said:
I also went whole hog with my rad and had a high efficiency triple core grafted in the original end tanks. Created a new problem though, as the there is no room for the stock fan, so I am going with a Spal pusher fan up front.
Click to expand...

I did the same. There is about 3/8" between the fan and the radiator. It has been OK for 30 years, so I will ignore the issue.
 
Overheating issues I had my stock radiator recored. Copper with dimple tubes. Evidently dimple tubes are a hot rod trick based on high hp / heat and desire for a small radiator. Seems standard practice on big truck diesels as well. Can be done with two core or three core. Improves efficiency by 15% supposedly.

Used existing top and bottom tanks, no clearance issues.

John.
 
Most folks wouldn't know a failed coolant system if it bit
them in the nose. And that's ok because it's not their area
of expertise.
There is a reason the old copper nose/parrafin fan clutch
is gone.
And there is a reason that the bolt on fan clutch is gone.
And why the later cars have fan shrouds.
And why asymmetric 5 bladed fans are gone.
And why 3 row radiators aren't needed anymore- the last
bmw 3 row radiator was made for the 1986 745i turbo.
28 years ago.
140 bucks gets you a new fan shroud, fan clutch,
and water pump.
140 bucks for a quantum leap improvement of automotive
engineering.
 
Don,

time to sell your knowledge on this. you need to put a parts list together of the items that fit in our cars and do the best job ... and sell the instructions / shopping list. or sell the package as a group buy. i have the distinct feeling you will sell quite a few. i'll start the line ... i'm in

scott
 
Don,

this was just the discussion on the cooling improvements. the b35 is a separate discussion.

i had a nice walter hansel north slope pinot tonight, as well as a glass of dumol chardonnay.
 
We offer a re-cored radiator for the CS Coupe. It has a far greater density of tubes and fins. With this we have solved cooling issues with AC Systems and high performance engine mods. And retains a completely original look.

Please call us directly for pricing and availability.

Thank you,
Mario L.

www.VSR1.com
603.228.2888
 
rsporsche said:
Don,

time to sell your knowledge on this. you need to put a parts list together of the items that fit in our cars and do the best job ... and sell the instructions / shopping list. or sell the package as a group buy. i have the distinct feeling you will sell quite a few. i'll start the line ... i'm in

scott
Click to expand...

This was a very good question / suggestion which never got an answer. sfdon, it would be great to get your current thoughts and suggestions, or better yet, as rsporsche mentioned some sort of instructions/shopping list if you have time...

"There is a reason the old copper nose/parrafin fan clutch
is gone.
And there is a reason that the bolt on fan clutch is gone.
And why the later cars have fan shrouds.
And why asymmetric 5 bladed fans are gone.
And why 3 row radiators aren't needed anymore- the last
bmw 3 row radiator was made for the 1986 745i turbo.
28 years ago.
140 bucks gets you a new fan shroud, fan clutch,
and water pump."


Thank you very much.
 
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