535i Radiator upgrade

[jjdickm]

Is there a better radiator out there for the e34 535i? I am building the turbo engine and would like to replace the radiator as well.

[BillionPa]

does fluidyne make a compatible model?

[Turbo Ready]

Is there a better radiator out there for the e34 535i? I am building the turbo engine and would like to replace the radiator as well.

The stock onw should be more than enough.

Like a few guys, I am stuffing an M30 b35 into my e30 325is and will be turbo charging it.

Due to limited space we actually cram an e28 535i rad in there WITHOUT the viscous fan, just electrical and engine runs fine.

You are using a bigger rad, mechanical fan, back up aux electrical fan so should be more than OK.

I also know a few e34 FI guys who track their cars, no heating issues.

[winfred]

i ran a e34 540 radiator in my 535 it's a inch wider and a good bit thicker, if you have a auto you need to run a tranny cooler (i spliced a e36 325 cooler onto my hoses, later 525s also use this cooler) it's been a while since i did it, if i remember correctly you need a extra right side lower mount to use for the left side (could be left for right which ever is smaller, this is how it is on the 540) and you need to ziptie the fan shroud on one side as the rad is about a inch wider, i put about 40k miles on mine and only had it get hot once in our ungodly summer heat (ambient was around 100* and i was sitting in line at the bank for about a half hour sucking up everybody elses radiator backwash the obc pegged at 135* outside temp i got to about 3/4)

[jjdickm]

I live in phoenix az it gets really hot during the summer so it would be very important.

[winfred]

heres the only decent pics i still have of it
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/540radiator.jpg
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/535l%20motor.jpg


I live in phoenix az it gets really hot during the summer so it would be very important.

[Turbo Ready]

Wow, thats a clean, nice fit. I like you CAI sheild :D

[winfred]

yea the 540 unit drops right in with the correct plastic lower mount, you just need to deal with the cooler and ziptie the shroud, getting the tranny cooler out of the coolant helps that too, you can just see the screws holding the top of the cooler in the big pic, made the bends in the shield by using a drawer as a break
this one has a little more of the shield
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/535r%20motor.jpg


Wow, thats a clean, nice fit. I like you CAI sheild :D

[Turbo Ready]

Really tidy Winfred, you guys are good.

Thats not powder coating on the valve cover and intake right? It has a glossy finish, did you paint it?

[winfred]

yep, vht ceramic engine paint been using it for years and with good surface prep it sticks! i am at around 75k miles on my e30's valve cover and i put a little over 40k miles on the 535 before i sold it, i did a intake for the e30 a couple years ago and hit it the next day with a clear lacquer and got a mild wrinkle finish
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/wrinkleedm20.jpg
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/%20m20%20r%20motor.jpg



Thats not powder coating on the valve cover and intake right? It has a glossy finish, did you paint it?

[Turbo Ready]

Thats awesome I will try it. I was actually going to send my stuff out to be power coated.

I can't remember but I think I used a high temperature caliper paint made by the same company as well.

I could be wrong, but will have to locate a supplier for it here in Canada.

Did it come in an aerosol can or did you shoot it with a spray gun?

Update! I looked it up on the net, it's in an aerosol can.

[Turbo Ready]

Just checked it was VHT I painted my calipers with before rebuilding them.

I will use this on my m30, block and intake.

Thanks Winfred,

[winfred]

clean clean and clean again :D

[Turbo Ready]

clean clean and clean again :D

I usually bead blast first, Winfred, then wipe with paint thinners, prime with self etching primer, then 2-3 light paint coats.

[jjdickm]

Thanks for all your help winfred I will look into doing that. Do you think I should do an electric fan conversion?

[winfred]

nothing wrong with the clutch fan and it's not sucking power when it's not needed, that and the thermostats for the electric conversions don't always last long before crapping out

[winfred]

i don't even go that far, i kill the cosmolien with something like aircraft stripper and degrease the **** outta it wipe down with a paint prep like wax & grease remover and give it a little time in the sun for any residual to evaporate and shoot, the aluminum has plenty of texture for the paint to grip


I usually bead blast first, Winfred, then wipe with paint thinners, prime with self etching primer, then 2-3 light paint coats.