Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Power steering cooler options/routing?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Chapel Hill, NC
    Posts
    1,120
    My Cars
    1985 535i

    Power steering cooler options/routing?

    So I keep boiling my fluid and blowing fluid out of my reservoir on my e46. Do any of you guys run coolers? If so how did you route them?



    I was thinking about tapping in at #10 and just cutting a small section out to run through a mishimoto universal cooler or something. I have a setrab cooler laying around but I think it's too small.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    fairfax,va, usa
    Posts
    6,660
    My Cars
    2 E30s and a maxima
    pix of the cooler you have now? I have some generic cooler from jegs. Hose clamps and what not since it's on the low pressure side. Seems to work so far.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    479
    My Cars
    E36 M3, jzxE28
    It doesn't have to be too big. I'm going to run a 10 row koyo. 11x3x2
    this kit may give you ideas as far as routing (they've got good pictures)
    http://www.chasebays.com/chase-bays-...e36-w-s50-s52/
    instagram @andyitslit

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    fairfax,va, usa
    Posts
    6,660
    My Cars
    2 E30s and a maxima
    $400? jebus.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    479
    My Cars
    E36 M3, jzxE28
    Not really that bad considering you're getting rid of all the leaky BMW hoses, baffled reservoir, and a cooler. All in a kit that mounts and fits just right. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    instagram @andyitslit

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    659
    My Cars
    '98 ti (M powered)
    If you have a manual trans, maybe try using an auto trans radiator and tying into the tranny cooler connections...
    "Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

    PM me for E36 engine swap books and BMW ETMs! NOW SHIPPING!!!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Kelowna, Bc, canada
    Posts
    523
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3 coupe
    Go to a junkyard and get the stock trans cooler off a 90's era Chevy, factory b&m cooler with 3/8 npt ends. Thread in whatever barb or an fitting you want

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Chapel Hill, NC
    Posts
    1,120
    My Cars
    1985 535i
    I have this setrab. But it's pretty small.



    But If not that I'd probably just get the $100 mishimoto universal kit. I work at a BMW dealer so replacing the stock hoses is a lot cheaper than the CB kit. and I get a two year warranty. lol I'm mostly confused as to where in line to route it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    1,483
    My Cars
    99 328i, a few more
    I'm using this, had to fab a mount but not too difficult.

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-331000

    - - - Updated - - -

    also, #10 is the "cooler" so that's where you want to put an aftermarket inline

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    fairfax,va, usa
    Posts
    6,660
    My Cars
    2 E30s and a maxima

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Kelowna, Bc, canada
    Posts
    523
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3 coupe
    Nope, the b&m cooler off a junkyard truck is $10 or free if you're sneaky, so you're still more baller then me

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    1,483
    My Cars
    99 328i, a few more
    I didn't use that style cause I didn't want a cooler hanging off my front bumper. A bit silly when there's no radiator there.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    fairfax,va, usa
    Posts
    6,660
    My Cars
    2 E30s and a maxima
    I have an oil cooler dangling under my passenger's side bumper, PS cooler hanging off the driver's side, radiator in the middle. I feel like I need more heat exchangers lol.

    IIRC there's an old DTM trick there they put a belt around the rear axle to power a diff fluid pump for the diff radiator.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    6,091
    My Cars
    S13, Turbo M3
    I used a generic heat exchanger / cooler from frozenboost.com. The exact same one I am using for my oil cooler. They are idential and like ~$100 or less. Just interrupt the lines going to the factory "cooler" tube and run them to a cooler and you're set. Solved my boiling problem completely - I used to boil it all the time. I'll try to dig up some pictures of the install.

    Mike
    IG: @mikevanshellenbeck

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Grand Blanc, MI
    Posts
    1,502
    My Cars
    '83 320i & '86 535i
    Quote Originally Posted by protomor View Post
    I have an oil cooler dangling under my passenger's side bumper, PS cooler hanging off the driver's side, radiator in the middle. I feel like I need more heat exchangers lol.

    IIRC there's an old DTM trick there they put a belt around the rear axle to power a diff fluid pump for the diff radiator.
    Boost it, that's one more for you... I think you're right on the rear axle thing. I know the hill climb guys run their alternators back there, for weight distribution.

    I am running an e36 auto trans cooler, that I had in the scrap bin, for my power steering.
    Last edited by audioscience10; 04-12-2017 at 02:48 PM.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Noblesville, IN
    Posts
    1,760
    My Cars
    98 328i, 79 911SC
    I'd advise against using an auto radiator and using it for PS and coolant.
    my PS cooler is inside my shroud so it gets constant air....but it's heat soaking when the rad gets hot. And that's driving forward, not sideways. I'm relocating it in the next week.
    always trying to make it lighter and faster

    ^^former build: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-neglected-M3/
    current build: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...car-build.html
    instant grams: doktor_b

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Chapel Hill, NC
    Posts
    1,120
    My Cars
    1985 535i
    Quote Originally Posted by MikeE36 View Post
    I used a generic heat exchanger / cooler from frozenboost.com. The exact same one I am using for my oil cooler. They are idential and like ~$100 or less. Just interrupt the lines going to the factory "cooler" tube and run them to a cooler and you're set. Solved my boiling problem completely - I used to boil it all the time. I'll try to dig up some pictures of the install.

    Mike
    I think this is the route I'm going to go. Seems easy to install and inexpensive.

    Thanks everyone for the input!

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    180
    My Cars
    4.8i E70; 1JZ E46
    I'll be running this one: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLX-3812 right behind the front kidney grills. We usually stay in the mid 80s here in the summer, so I think it should be fine. Hard to pass up for $30.

Similar Threads

  1. Power steering cooler - necessary?
    By 5mall5nail5 in forum Forced Induction
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 01-07-2008, 02:47 PM
  2. M3 Power steering cooler fit in MZ3?
    By who8mylunch in forum 1996 - 2002 Z3 (E36/7, E36/8)
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 08-05-2005, 08:09 PM
  3. aftermarket power steering cooler
    By Drifto in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 06-27-2003, 01:48 AM
  4. power steering cooler part number
    By cos M3/4 in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-21-2003, 04:49 PM
  5. WTB power steering cooler
    By cos M3/4 in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-21-2003, 04:43 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •