Which radiator option for HIGH Temp climate?

[johns1974]

I've recently moved to the desert in California and all of July/Aug are basically well over 100 degrees every day. My car (1974 '02 - mostly stock) always ran a little warm but now is going to cook. Which option/upgrade do you think might be best?

1. 3 core upgrade of my existing radiator which is still solid (approx $250 at a local shop)

2. Ireland Eng upgraded radiator ($325)

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-cooling/02alumrad.html

3. BavAuto 320i radiator upgrade ($269 + shipping)

I am not opposed to going away from stock (my car has a different motor than it was born with and will never win concours) and my primary incentive is getting something that really works. To me, the difference in $$$ is negligible for something that will work. Whatever I go with, I'll be sure to use water wetter. The car is used for fun and I'd like to be very confident in the cooling capacity if I go for a run over the Angeles Crest... I don't want to warp a head or ruin a head gasket trying to get back home. Thanks for any opinions/tips and sharing experiences!

[eastsidebimmer]

Get a fan shroud from a later 02, a Silicon Garage Radiator, larger "tropical fan", WaterWetter, and a 71 degree thermostat. You'll never have heat, but should stay cool in the desert.

Good luck. -Ben

Call this guy for the stock three row core treatment:

Mark Preisendorf

Silicon Garage 02

SiliconGarage02@gmail.com

510-507-2002

[johns1974]

i've gotten mixed information on whether a 400mm "tropical" fan will fit with a '76 fan shroud... Anyone know for sure? Or is a 360mm fan with a shroud better than a 400mm alone?

Thanks for the quick response!

[eastsidebimmer]

I'm not an expert, but if you have a meter stick and a car with a shroud, you can check it first. I ran a tropical fan and a 71 degree thermostat to battle a heating problem, it didn't help that much, so I got a Silicon Garage radiator. At that point, the gauge didn't go much beyond the blue so I installed the smaller fan and it seemed to be a better fit. I didn't use a shroud with either setup.

[Kidasters]

I say whatever on the fan and the shroud. They both help if you are running the stock radiator, but if you live where it is REALLY hot, not so much.

Just get the bigger radiator. I recommend the Ingraham invented Silicon Garage model. And when I say bigger, I mean more capacity.

I have one here in Houston (where it's not a dry heat), and I ended up putting in the 80 degree C thermostat because I didn't think the oil temperature was getting high enough to drive out the moisture. Drove the car last weekend (96 F), and the temp got up to the halfway mark and stopped. Perfect if you ask me.

Ken

[Guest Anonymous]

An area shop modified my stock radiator and made it a three-tube. The problem is that, although the shop owner said it would fit, it doesn't.

It's too thick, front to back. If you can use it, it's yours, like new, for $100.

Fran Ferrance

Ferrance@aol.com

Wrightwood CA

1972 2002

[2DUB02]

I have an IE radiator and would recommend it to everyone. It is great.

[jrhone]

If you want another option...electric fan....12" Spal pusher fan, stock radiator....NO ISSUES. I was in Arizona 118 degree heat and driving 90 with the temp less than half way up.....

[BDB]

jrhone,

do you have that fan on all the time or is it thermostatically controlled?

[heist]

I just ordered this. The company seems really down to earth and I'm told they make amazing products. They are making mine right now I will post back, but these seem top of the line and are still utilizing the stock mechanical fan.

http://namelessperformance.com/products/16022002/bmw-2002-fabricated-2-row-radiator/

[oldguy]

get rid of the mechanical fan and go electric. Once you get a wider core, the problem is the plastic fan flexes at high RPM. The first super fun 7k rpm shift you do or miss shift and you'll find that plastic fan has reached out and touched the radiator.

[ecpreston]

I ended up putting in the 80 degree C thermostat because I didn't think the oil temperature was getting high enough to drive out the moisture

2nd this, running the engine too cool all the time isn't good for it. If the cooling capacity is sufficient, a 71 deg tstat will only hurt. I'd say likely any of the radiators you quoted and a medium profile spal 12" electric fan as was suggested would be more than enough. I have the thin one on a 10yr old 320 rad and it's done fine in 95 deg heat. I expect it to be enough for the 100 deg day we're having today as well.

[///mChris]

2nd on the electric fan. I live in LA and cool my 2.2L with a silicone garage radiator and an electric fan that has a temperature switch which sits in the bottom of the radiator drain plug. I wouldn't do anything else...

[jdt10768]

If you want another option...electric fan....12" Spal pusher fan, stock radiator....NO ISSUES. I was in Arizona 118 degree heat and driving 90 with the temp less than half way up.....

Which model Spal fan please, and did you set it up to auto-start at a certain temp?

[andrey]

I have the nameless performance radiator (which was prototyped on my car): http://namelessperformance.com/products/16022002/bmw-2002-fabricated-2-row-radiator/ and the stock fan, that solved my cooling issues and fits using the factory locations and hoses (unlike the 320i option). If I lived in an even hotter climate and was having more trouble I'd consider replacing the stock fan with a big electric fan that's on a variable-speed controller.