for the racers and trackwhores...

deimos · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 02:19 PM

So, this weekend at NHIS I managed to blow up my cooling system (radiator, hoses, thermostat, and water pump). Anyone have any performance radiator reccomendations?

I've looked at Fluidyne, but they don't apparently make E36 radiators any more. All of my usual spots to look, BavAuto, HMS, and Turner don't have anything beyond stock/oem either.

What do you guys use on the track?

SG_M3 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 03:24 PM

A s54 M coupe/roadster is 3 rows vs. 2. AA makes an aluminum radiator, but it isn't worth its price. Then get a aluminum Thermotat housing, and aluminum impeller water pump.

czm3 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 03:37 PM

My e36 m3 will be runing stock. The problem lies in the e36 radiator. They tend to not last more than a couple of years.

deimos · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 04:13 PM

So the only place I can find online that has Fluidyne radiators is VAC motorsports, for a cool $689. I think I'll just stick with bmw radiators and replace them for a while. According to some other feedback I've gotten, they tend to last 4-5 years with track duty, water wetter, and/or performance coolants.

czm3 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by deimos
According to some other feedback I've gotten, they tend to last 4-5 years with track duty, water wetter, and/or performance coolants.

Sounds right to me. Just a little preventive maintainence. Also remember to think of your rear strut towers, another "weakness" in the e36.

What configuration were you running at NHIS? North chicane/south chicane, or parts of the oval?

deimos · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 05:54 PM

North chicane to south oval config. First time I've done that actually. I usually do north and south chicanes. It was on the oval that I smelt the burning coolant smell and glanced down and saw the bright red light for temp.

msportti · #7 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 05:17 PM

have you looked at bmp designs? www.bmpd.com

deimos · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 06:19 PM

I have now. :P

triplebeam · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 09:00 PM

heres a good place to try to http://www.absoluteradiator.com/Prod....asp?idProd=50

deimos · #10 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 09:21 PM

Thanks, cheaper than VAC. However, I need to stay stock apparently otherwise I get bumped up a class.

jderry · #11 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 07:09 AM

I second the S54 radiator. You might want to look into that, apparently, adding an oil cooler is much easier as well.

I do not see why the S52 radiator is giving you a problem though. The radiator itself should be good for at LEAST 100K. At most, upper and lower rad hoses, water pump, thermostat would need to be replaced.

Did your water pump shred throwing shrapnel? If you purchase a water pump, make sure it is a COMPOSITE water pump. BMW has gone through 3 different versions of the water pump. Make sure it is O.E. and NOT OEM -- they are NOT the same.

The composite pump is part plastic, part metal ... it's the newest version.

My metal water pump, less than 3 weeks old already had play in the bearing.

deimos · #12 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 09:16 AM

Well, my car has 117k on it. And it had the metal impellor water pump. It's all busted now. In fact, it's all being replaced today with stock components from BMW, not OEM. These come with a 2 year warranty, which I hopefully won't have to use.

deimos · #13 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by czm3
Also remember to think of your rear strut towers, another "weakness" in the e36.

Yeah, so I found out today how weak they are. I swerved to avoid a ladder that fell off a trailer, and all of the cars swerving to avoid the same ladder. I managed to swerve from the extreme left lane to the breakdown lane on the right, and nail one of those rain drains on I-93 in NH, the ones that aren't quite flush with the road. My rear shock tower mount is hosed now.

Mmm...more parts to replace....

jderry · #14 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 08:11 AM

just a quick follow-up -- if you track your car -- you SHOULD replace your radiator every 2 years. This is just cheap insurance, BMW's DO NOT like to be overheated.

Although the fluidyne is expensive, I've heard glowing reviews from people. E.g., track temps are MUCH lower. IIRC, there is a lifetime warranty as well attached to it -- so, in the long run, $600+ dollars is not that bad of a deal if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.

my two cents ...

Matthew C Smith · #15 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 07:35 PM

I've never had a problem on the track or autox with my radiator. Just keep the vehicle well maintained and kept after and you shouldn't have any problems. It's not a race car, so don't worry about it.