engine and drivetrain New Radiator Advice - What To Buy

[Mike Self]

Radiator shops are getting harder and harder to find--we only have a few left in the Dayton area...but Xenia Radiator did a nice job of repair on my pre-Silicon Garage 3 row core radiator that another shop built for me in 1987.

 

Don't know if it's still available or perhaps has a different part number but the core that was used on my 3 row re-core was a RADAC 26.  Does anyone know if it's still available?

 

mike

[Kidasters]

Wow.  The Silicon Garage story is so sad.  

 

I was lucky enough to deal with Curt way back when.  Whenever I see the "Silicon Garage" numbered sticker on my radiator, I think of Curt.  We lost you too early sir.  

 

Bavarian Autosport sells the kit:  P/N 17 11 1 061 KIT  

 

Might want to consider it anyway.

[paulram]

In the end I bought one on Friday from IE.  I felt that the other options were going to cost around $200 - $250 and for an another $75.00 I was not only getting a quality radiator, but one that looks good.  It's also nice to know you are supporting someone who has a face and an identity.  When I buy from autowarehouseonline.org I always wonder who I'm supporting.

 

Thanks for the info....

[732002Malaga]

Ireland has a nice aluminum radiator that bolts in. It's bigger than stock, so check your clearance. $325 and I never looked back.

[MatthewCervi]

I have a related question.  Currently, I have a late E21 (plastic tank) radiator in my tii and it cools great, but it doesn't look right.  Am I correct that the early E21 radiators have metal tanks like the 2002?  And do those early radiators have a bung for a temperature sensor switch like the late ones do?

[jimk]

Yes on both brass tanks and temp switch bung.

[MatthewCervi]

Yes on both brass tanks and temp switch bung.

Thanks! 

[OriginalOwner]

preferring to keep things "stock" I was lucky enough to get a Siicon Garage 3-row core and my local guy installed it using the original tanks & frame for a no-hassle remove/fix/re-install.

 

And, it's time for an update (& perhaps some re-hash) of my own brainstorm from 3 years ago:  a home-made screen installed into the radiator inlet. 

   --  TODAY'S UPDATE after 3 years of use:  I initially screened out some chunks, none since then, no impact whatsoever to cooling system performance.  Works for me !!

   http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/118468-putting-a-screen-in-the-upper-left-radiator-inflow/

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

Edited August 16, 2014 by OriginalOwner

[yeewiz]

I tried but wasn't able to get a Silicon Garage radiator years ago.  I didn't know it at the time but I think it was when Curt was ill.  Getting no progress with Curt, I just call a bunch of radiator shops in my SF East Bay area.  My recollection is most shops understood the upgrade-conversion to a 3-row core and it wasn't a big deal.  I supplied my original radiator to Mel & Sons in Concord and a week later I had my new Silicon Garage equivalent radiator for $325.  I think SG was going for $350.  I don't know whether the business has changed much since then, but guess I don't see the difficulty in doing your own 3-row upgrade.  .