Anyone running an aluminum radiator?

[alpinewhite318i]

Just wanted some feedback on the advantages of going with an aluminum radiator!

[TobyB]

not me!

(use the search, young jedi, and a whole new universe will open to you...)

t

[///mChris]

I've been thinking about going all aluminum. There are tons of them on ebay for very cheap. They'll even make them to your custom specs.

Has anyone done a custom ebay radiator?

[bluedevils]

They may work better but don't look factory, example is: IE rad. Welds can be better. I prefer a 320/E21 or 318/E30 rads which fits fine and work better. prices are not bad either. Others may disagree.

[TKMad]

I have the IE radiator and it works great. I also have an electric fan that is controlled by Megasquirt and I can't remember the last time it turned on, even in mild traffic. It dissipates heat quite well.

[M3M3]

just about any radiator you buy today is aluminum. stock or aftermarket. the cores are almost all aluminum. the tanks could be plastic or aluminum. some are painted black, but they are still aluminum.

so, there is no advatange to an aluminum radiator. if the rad you already have is not the original one, you probably already have an aluminum radiator.

the question you wanted to ask is if there is any advantage to getting a non-stock size radiator, whether it be a custom size or one from an e21, e30 or other car....the answer to that is there is an advantage only if the stock radiator you have is not cooling enough for the conditions you are driving in.

[///mChris]

Don't forget the stock radiators are very heavy... Aluminum/plastic is light. I ran a 320i radiator until it broke.. I saw a huge improvement when I went to the Silicone Garage triple core.

[alpinewhite318i]

Is the 2002 radiator similiar enough to the 84 318i radiator?

[schwarz75]

I had one from a late E21 320i in my '75 2002 until upgrading to a Silicon Garage three core. I have the same radiator in my early 320i, and it works great. They are aluminum and plastic.

[///mChris]

I think clayW has an e36 with the built in expansion tank. I like the idea of having no air in the system. Increasing the efficiency is always a good idea..

[Mike_B]

Clay's running an M42 radiator with the built-in expansion tank. I've got one that I'm planning to use at part of my 1800Ti EFI conversion.

[Swiftus]

If you want to install an M42 radiator, you will have to cut out the snorkel in order to make room... Check out Clay's Blog... the rad install may be a few pages back but he took photos...

TX02.blogspot.com

[Brandon]

I've got the Ireland aluminum radiator in my Tii and it keeps the car cool just fine.

[fiftytakedowns]

Im running an e30 318 early model one... mine still gets quite hot.... but I think that is the turbocharger however.

[jmr_1602]

Im running a Nameless Performance radiator, stock fan. Not sure of the exact temps but my engine has been running cooler this Summer with it. (Had a 320 rad before switching.)