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I have ordered a e36 316i radiator for my 1.8t converted mk2 as I wasnt happy with how the current G60 one looks/is plumbed/how the fans are fitted. I seem to be getting mocked on FB but nobody has cared to explain why the e36 rad is bad. Has anyone fitted one? If so how did you route the expansion on the side of the rad? Pic of the rad I have ordered (not my pic)  |
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e36 Radiator in mk2 golfballbagbagins
@ballbagbagins
Club Retro Rides Member 164
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Maybe they are a pain to bleed or don't have enough cooling capacity?
From my edition38 days I recall this mod seemed to be done by those wanting a clean a bay as possible. Maybe it's form over function if you're running anything other than say a standard kr?
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Thanks mate, the mk1 had a top fill from factory and that's the one they are fitting instead. It's the same size lol.
The BMW one should sit at the same height as the current one so top of rad is level with the rocker.
Spent hours yesterday googling and couldn't find anything lol.
Main reason for doing it is to eliminate the header and associated hoses as it's messy with a 1.8t under the bonnet.
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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e36 Radiator in mk2 golfPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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I can only assume it's to do with the level; the VW cooling system would be designed to have the fill level at the highest point, with sufficient expansion space. Reasonably easy to do with a remote reservoir or a tall radiator.
If the BMW one doesn't allow the level to be at the right (same) place, and with sufficient expansion space remaining, then you'll have problems. You can have the level higher, but not lower - generally - otherwise you'll risk airlocks being generated in the engine/pipework with all sorts of pain.
Rule of thumb is if the engine is higher than the top of the radiator, you'll need a remote reservoir (which sits higher).
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I can only assume it's to do with the level; the VW cooling system would be designed to have the fill level at the highest point, with sufficient expansion space. Reasonably easy to do with a remote reservoir or a tall radiator. If the BMW one doesn't allow the level to be at the right (same) place, and with sufficient expansion space remaining, then you'll have problems. You can have the level higher, but not lower - generally - otherwise you'll risk airlocks being generated in the engine/pipework with all sorts of pain. Rule of thumb is if the engine is higher than the top of the radiator, you'll need a remote reservoir (which sits higher). Cheers mate, that's what I don't get - same people saying it's poo have put a mk1 topfill in the exact same place 😂 |
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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e36 Radiator in mk2 golfPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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Some people sadly have enough brains to be dangerous...
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I was thinking if bleeding is an issue, I could fit one of these - my old 205 had something similar from the factory. Was on the heater pipework just before the bulkhead.  |
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Last Edit: May 6, 2020 11:01:33 GMT by joem83
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tristanh
Part of things
Routinely bewildered
Posts: 990 
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I had a g60 mk1 here to sort for a mate, using a g60 rad. It really didn't like keeping the coolant in it til I lifted the header tank until it almost touched the bonnet.
Up to that, even with a 75 degree stat and the fan coming on at low temperature, it still used to spit out the coolant.
Might be worth considering. On my own mk1, I'm putting the header tank in the scuttle, a Corsa has a nice small one.
The only mk1s with top fill rads were small block cars iirc, and the top of the rad was higher than the coolant passages in the head.
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Whether you believe you can, or you cannot, you're probably right.
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I had a g60 mk1 here to sort for a mate, using a g60 rad. It really didn't like keeping the coolant in it til I lifted the header tank until it almost touched the bonnet. Up to that, even with a 75 degree stat and the fan coming on at low temperature, it still used to spit out the coolant. Might be worth considering. On my own mk1, I'm putting the header tank in the scuttle, a Corsa has a nice small one. The only mk1s with top fill rads were small block cars iirc, and the top of the rad was higher than the coolant passages in the head. Thanks mate, yeah mine has a g60 rad atm and seems to be ok but I cant get it hot enough sitting idling to see if any issues. Thats why I don't get people saying use the mk1 topfill as it's for a 1.3! |
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Last Edit: May 6, 2020 15:10:53 GMT by joem83
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,189
Club RR Member Number: 170
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e36 Radiator in mk2 golfChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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From owning an E36 and helping mates with E46s, those rads are a pain in the bumhole to bleed. The expansion tank simply isn't high enough. As said, the CFM of most aftermarket fans doesn't normally compare to an OEM item. I had the same problem on my Escort RS Turbo. OEM fan could do 2500CFM. The slimline twins I had could barely crack 2100CFM. Not ideal on an engine running 100BHP more than when it left the factory. Just what was wrong with the previous setup with shots etc.? IME, I'd have thought the stock system would yield more cooling and easier bleeding without resorting to valves etc. Then you have to think about the pressure of the system ; this caught out a mate of mine with his Scooby engined Splitty, which the pair of of us figured out eventually  . Was it purely looks? |
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Last Edit: May 9, 2020 11:44:32 GMT by ChasR
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Pretty much 😂 the problem is I'm not a fan of the 1.8t engine from an visual point of view and this conversion whilst it does run all the pipework and wiring needs redoing. So the plan is to minimise pipework. Truth be told I'd rather it had a v5 in there as I love the sound even if it's not as powerful lol |
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. Was it purely looks?