Radiators - S54 fit a S52?

[NY98M3]

Looking to see what guys are using for replacement radiators. I believe the S54 radiator is 3 row and the S52 is a 2 row.

Does anyone know if the larger will fit in a S52?

[scoobiedoo2029]

not exactly.

the one your looking for is the one from a Z3M, a late one with the s54 in it.

[propcar]

I've heard of many using the S54 radiator in their E36 M3, I will probably get one to replace my stock one currently at 160k miles

[NY98M3]

I've heard of many using the S54 radiator in their E36 M3

Yes, this is what I want to do if it does work...

[camdinans3]

Z3M S54 radiator is the one you want. 3 core instead of the 2 core one that is stock for the E36 M3. i have it installed and it fits exactly as before, shroud and everything.

[NY98M3]

Z3M S54 radiator is the one you want. 3 core instead of the 2 core one that is stock for the E36 M3. i have it installed and it fits exactly as before, shroud and everything.

Did you install a full aluminum one? if so which one?

[Level8drummer]

Installing it sunday:

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e30e36-...tor-p1562.aspx

I'm taking out my mishimoto. It's just over a year old. No problems with it, other than it's not "quite" enough cooling for driving on the racetrack during the summer months. It's for sale if anyone is interested.

Level8Drummer

[camdinans3]

Did you install a full aluminum one? if so which one?

no, i have heard shoddy things about full aluminum radiators, save the full kits from zionsville. so i went with an OEM Z3M S54 radiator, kept the stock thermostat, upgraded to a lower temp fan switch, 50/50 distilled water/bmw coolant, 2 bottles water wetter, stewart water pump, mechanical fan delete, electric spal fan.

you can use your stock shroud, stock expansion tank etc. fits exactly the same

i have had absolutely no issues with the radiator and it will be able to handle anything you throw at it, its a proven design, high quality. I would rather have a proven high quality BMW piece than have to worry about a mushimoto all aluminum radiator or pay the very high price for zionsville or PWR. I was originally dead set on the full competition package from zionsville but in the end decided that i would put that money elsewhere.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

Just ordered one of the Z3s54 rads.

Will be interested to see how the 2 vs. 3 row thing pans-out in terms of cooling.

[jeremy5000]

I've got the Bimmerworld kit with the s54 rad, but need to install it and maybe make a DIY...

[fonsito]

I need to replace my stock radiator. Can anyone tell me if i'll see improvement with the S54 rad?

[Mad Dog 20/20]

I need to replace my stock radiator. Can anyone tell me if i'll see improvement with the S54 rad?

Many variables in a coolant system. Impossible to tell you what you will see on YOUR car w/ the rad swap.

But theoretically, you should see an improvement in system function due to a more efficient rad.

[Jsalicru]

I also use the MZ4 S54 unit. Went right in. Have it with a electric fan.

I got it cheaper than bimmerworld though:
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...=2172@Radiator

no, i have heard shoddy things about full aluminum radiators, save the full kits from zionsville. so i went with an OEM Z3M S54 radiator, kept the stock thermostat, upgraded to a lower temp fan switch, 50/50 distilled water/bmw coolant, 2 bottles water wetter, stewart water pump, mechanical fan delete, electric spal fan.

you can use your stock shroud, stock expansion tank etc. fits exactly the same

i have had absolutely no issues with the radiator and it will be able to handle anything you throw at it, its a proven design, high quality. I would rather have a proven high quality BMW piece than have to worry about a mushimoto all aluminum radiator or pay the very high price for zionsville or PWR. I was originally dead set on the full competition package from zionsville but in the end decided that i would put that money elsewhere.

I could have written the exact same thing. It's EXACTLY what I did and why.

[NY98M3]

Anyone running a S/C having clearance issues with the 3 row and an electric fan?

[NeilM]

I need to replace my stock radiator. Can anyone tell me if i'll see improvement with the S54 rad?

Depends what, if any, need for improvement you have. The stock system's cooling capacity is plenty adequate for normal street use.

Neil

[pbonsalb]

Anyone running a S/C having clearance issues with the 3 row and an electric fan?

I ran the S54 Z3 one with an 8 rib 6 inch crank pulley and Spal 16 inch 2.5 inch thick fan. Had to trim the shroud a bit and mount the fan so it was over the top of the radiator by about 1.5 inches.

[das borgen]

no, i have heard shoddy things about full aluminum radiators, save the full kits from zionsville. so i went with an OEM Z3M S54 radiator, kept the stock thermostat, upgraded to a lower temp fan switch, 50/50 distilled water/bmw coolant, 2 bottles water wetter, stewart water pump, mechanical fan delete, electric spal fan.

you can use your stock shroud, stock expansion tank etc. fits exactly the same

i have had absolutely no issues with the radiator and it will be able to handle anything you throw at it, its a proven design, high quality. I would rather have a proven high quality BMW piece than have to worry about a mushimoto all aluminum radiator or pay the very high price for zionsville or PWR. I was originally dead set on the full competition package from zionsville but in the end decided that i would put that money elsewhere.

nothing more to say here.
good post, Andrew!
how you been too?

[camdinans3]

Anyone running a S/C having clearance issues with the 3 row and an electric fan?

i dont have clearance issues. i had to offset the spal fan a little but it worked with the stock shroud.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

Just installed one. It is 4mm deeper than a Mishimoto (44mmvs. 40mm)


The thing was a bitch to bleed for whatever reason. Dunno if I did something wrong or what, but w/ the euro coolant system on my car, it SHOULD have self-bled. Every other rad I've used has self-bled immediately upon filling the euro resevoir. This one trapped a huge stubborn air pocket that almost caused an overheat. Had to crack open the temp switch and overflow nipple to let it pass gas.

[M3Rock]

did the mz3 radiator effect your heater? I could not get any heat during the winter months after I installed the mz3 rad.

[das borgen]

did the mz3 radiator effect your heater? I could not get any heat during the winter months after I installed the mz3 rad.

a radiator can't affect (not effect) your heat..........thermostat, bleeding, and/or heater valve can

[KnudsonsM3]

I have the z3m s54 radiator. Only time my needle crept up on me was when I was at the track in 100+ degree weather and my spal switch broke lol

[JETninja]

Have run the Z3M S54 3 row for 4 years and about 80k. Cooling it outstanding. Never an issue in bumper to bumper 114 degree AC on traffic, or 108 degree autocross at CA speedway. Also run FDM since then. Very happy with that aspect of the car...

When I got mine, only ALU ones where the Zionville and a few others at $500 a pop. Since then lots of cheap ones, but most are cheap and still 2 row. Not seen any real data comparing all the various radiators, something like that could really make it an easy decision.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

did the mz3 radiator effect your heater? I could not get any heat during the winter months after I installed the mz3 rad.

That sounds like an air pocket. I had no heat, either until it finally bled.

I think the nature of the 3 rows makes it harder to bleed.

[KnudsonsM3]

That sounds like an air pocket. I had no heat, either until it finally bled.

I think the nature of the 3 rows makes it harder to bleed.

air pocket??? what are those?