Spec E36 Build - 328i

**BMW4LIFE** · 10-15-2009, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by tuckersmg

Looks like it will be a good weekend to work on the car. Lime Rock is gonna be wet and cold. If it snows, I will take the F250 on track.

Lime Rock Saturday with my snow tires and Sunday is reserved for a full day of working on the Spec E36. Can't beat that...

**bbh03** · 10-15-2009, 10:18 PM

Fan clutch? Consider ditching the mechanical fan and going to a SPAL electric fan.

**HabberstadChris** · 10-16-2009, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by bbh03

Fan clutch? Consider ditching the mechanical fan and going to a SPAL electric fan.

Considering Jeff's mechanical abilities (which aren't terrible, but keeping things as simple as possible would be best) I advise keeping the OE mechanical fan set-up. I suspect he will be driving the SE36 to events at first (just as I did) and the OE mechanical fan works beautifully in traffic - even with the OE electric fan deleted. When Jeff gets a truck/trailer set-up I will recommend removal of the mechanical fan for the extra 3-5hp on the top-end. There really is no need for a fan of any kind if the car is used as intended - on the race track.

**bbh03** · 10-16-2009, 09:31 AM

3-5 hp? I wasn't even thinking about that. I wasthinking weight and exploding fan clutches!

**HabberstadChris** · 10-16-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by bbh03

3-5 hp? I wasn't even thinking about that. I wasthinking weight and exploding fan clutches!

LOL. It's all about POWA! The weight is negligible, and an OE mechanical fan set-up is probably equal to or less than an electric set-up. As long as the components are relatively new, I would not expect a failure.

**BMW4LIFE** · 10-18-2009, 10:14 PM

Update: The cooling system upgrade is complete and the A/C system has been removed. Ran into a few minor issues along the way but nothing too crazy. The samco hoses from BW were kinda a bitch to get on and the thermostat was frozen to the block.

Some pics:

Random fan blade jammed into the A/C Comp that was wearing on the drive belt:

My old man's 57 T-Bird was great for placing removed parts:

**tuckersmg** · 10-18-2009, 11:15 PM

How was the fitment of the Ireland? I bet you had some fun with those radiator retaining clips. Thanks again for the Lime Rock 3D Thrill Ride.

**BMW4LIFE** · 10-18-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by tuckersmg

How was the fitment of the Ireland? I bet you had some fun with those radiator retaining clips. Thanks again for the Lime Rock 3D Thrill Ride.

No problem. Glad to do it. That was a fun day @ LRP and a great way to end the season.

The ireland engineering rad fit pretty well but what I am not happy about is the welds were not great and the expansion tank is now sitting up against the motor.

**HabberstadChris** · 10-19-2009, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by tuckersmg

How was the fitment of the Ireland? I bet you had some fun with those radiator retaining clips. Thanks again for the Lime Rock 3D Thrill Ride.

As Jeff mentioned, the rad fitment was pretty good except that the expansion tank now sits pretty close to the engine. I don't see much of a problem, though. Once the engine get solid mounted it doesn't matter. I have to show you the trick to those retaining clips. They literally take 1 second to pop open. If you have to fight with them, "'Yer doin' it wrong."

**tuckersmg** · 10-19-2009, 09:03 AM

Hey Chris, I was doin it wrong then. On the positive side I didn't break them.

I have about 2 or 3 inches between the tank and the motor. Did you zip tie the shroud to the rad

**HabberstadChris** · 10-19-2009, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by tuckersmg

Hey Chris, I was doin it wrong then. On the positive side I didn't break them.

I have about 2 or 3 inches between the tank and the motor. Did you zip tie the shroud to the rad

Shroud was zip-tied. It seems that the rad is just spaced off the rad support a little more than normal. 1/2 inch maybe.

**BMW4LIFE** · 10-19-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by tuckersmg

Hey Chris, I was doin it wrong then. On the positive side I didn't break them.

I have about 2 or 3 inches between the tank and the motor. Did you zip tie the shroud to the rad

After taking a nice long drive in the car and then inspecting the expansion tank it appears to be rubbing quite a bit, enough to wear grooves in it already. And the rad seems to taper out from top to bottom, not sit flush.

Anyone else experience this problem with IE rad or any other aftermarket rad?

Something needs to be done to fix this issue.

**tuckersmg** · 10-19-2009, 10:27 PM

I will take a look at mine tommorow and maybe take some pics. Did you make sure the rubber feet on the sides slipped into the notches on the rad support.

**BMW4LIFE** · 10-19-2009, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by tuckersmg

I will take a look at mine tommorow and maybe take some pics. Did you make sure the rubber feet on the sides slipped into the notches on the rad support.

Yeah, def. did that. Some pics may help if you wouldn't mine emailing them to me.

**tuckersmg** · 10-19-2009, 10:36 PM

I will do it in the AM as car is in the trailer now.

**bbh03** · 10-20-2009, 12:18 AM

When my poly mount let go, the timing case bolts started to work their way into the coolant tank (during a race of course). Going solid will help if thats an option for you. Wouldn't have expected it on the Ireland. Is the core thicker than stock?

**HabberstadChris** · 10-20-2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by bbh03

When my poly mount let go, the timing case bolts started to work their way into the coolant tank (during a race of course). Going solid will help if thats an option for you. Wouldn't have expected it on the Ireland. Is the core thicker than stock?

Jeff is going solid at some point in the future, which will eliminate the close-proximity issue. For now, though, it sounds like the expansion tank is making too much contact for comfort. The rad is an Ireland Engineering unit, which has a 45mm thick core vs 33mm for factory radiator (according to their website). This seems to be causing the interference.

**bbh03** · 10-20-2009, 11:14 AM

I'd like to go to a remote aluminum reservoir at some point. That will also make bleeding easier. I haven't yet gotten around to re-reading the rules for legality though. What setup are you using Chris?

**HabberstadChris** · 10-20-2009, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by bbh03

I'd like to go to a remote aluminum reservoir at some point. That will also make bleeding easier. I haven't yet gotten around to re-reading the rules for legality though. What setup are you using Chris?

I've got an all OE set-up (with new components). OE mechanical fan is still attached, OE electric fan deleted. I'll probably yank the mechanical fan before heading-out to Mid-O.