1984 BMW 3-series with Chimaera engine
Discussion
I have just bought the above on eBay (in a moment of madness). Goes like a train but cooling a definite problem. Had Rover SDI radiator and fan fitted but country lanes, let alone traffic jams, cause overheating.
Brakes also a bit inadequate, although allegedly because of new pads.
Suggestions most welcome...
CT
Brakes also a bit inadequate, although allegedly because of new pads.
Suggestions most welcome...
CT
Sounds interesting.
I suggest uprating the brakes to something like M3 brakes - there must be a number of upgrades out there for the BMW.
As for cooling - a custom ally radiator with extra cores is probably the way to go. Just make sure the cooling system is working and your overheating isn't caused by a blown headgasket or similar before spending money!
I suggest uprating the brakes to something like M3 brakes - there must be a number of upgrades out there for the BMW.
As for cooling - a custom ally radiator with extra cores is probably the way to go. Just make sure the cooling system is working and your overheating isn't caused by a blown headgasket or similar before spending money!
sir, that is a mad, lunatic purchase you have there..
Try Rally Design for the brakes. I got a kit for mine about 4 years ago, wilwood calipers etc.
The radiator on the standard E30 325i is a relatively small ally one with viscous fan.
I think you might be lucky in finding one from a BMW breakers for the V8 models, but you will definately have to open the frontal area up on the grill.
The radiator on the standard E30 325i is a relatively small ally one with viscous fan.
I think you might be lucky in finding one from a BMW breakers for the V8 models, but you will definately have to open the frontal area up on the grill.
My dad's Jensen, like most Jensen's suffered from overheating. He had the rad recored & it was still doing it. Somebody suggested a fan from a Mondeo, a visit to the scrapyard & £5 later, his overheating problem was solved.
Good luck,
p.s., may sound stupid, but is the current fan in the right way around ?
Good luck,
p.s., may sound stupid, but is the current fan in the right way around ?
First things first - check it really is overheating!! Sounds stupid, but i have experience of Rover V8s in alternative vehicles and often a mis-match of compatibility between temp sender and temperature guage leads to a perceived over heating (or indeed over cooling). So first off check that it really is overheating - try a known accurate guage and sender or dip the sender in boiling water and check the guage reading.
If it really is overheating then make sure the system is properly bled with no air locks - some conversions have a high spot in the cooling system that is above the radiator / header tank filler and therefore traps air. Once that is done, make sure there is enough air flow through the rad and that the rad itself is getting hot all over when running (check the rad isnt partially blocked). A rad flush with a hose never goes amiss. If all of that lot is OK, you are left with little choice but to change the rad for one more efficient - the choice then is anything that will fit and do the job. Gotta say i would be surprised if the rad couldnt cope with the V8, they dont seem to need vast amounts of cooling in this sort of application. I assume the engine checks out OK with regard to health? Not over pressurising the cooling system or using water? no signs of cracked blocks etc? all the spark plugs look the same colour etc.?
By the way, congratulations! I watched that auction with an itchy finger myself! Looked like it would be a lot of fun and seemed pretty cheap at the price......
If it really is overheating then make sure the system is properly bled with no air locks - some conversions have a high spot in the cooling system that is above the radiator / header tank filler and therefore traps air. Once that is done, make sure there is enough air flow through the rad and that the rad itself is getting hot all over when running (check the rad isnt partially blocked). A rad flush with a hose never goes amiss. If all of that lot is OK, you are left with little choice but to change the rad for one more efficient - the choice then is anything that will fit and do the job. Gotta say i would be surprised if the rad couldnt cope with the V8, they dont seem to need vast amounts of cooling in this sort of application. I assume the engine checks out OK with regard to health? Not over pressurising the cooling system or using water? no signs of cracked blocks etc? all the spark plugs look the same colour etc.?
By the way, congratulations! I watched that auction with an itchy finger myself! Looked like it would be a lot of fun and seemed pretty cheap at the price......
[quote=RUSSELLM]My dad's Jensen, like most Jensen's suffered from overheating. He had the rad recored & it was still doing it. Somebody suggested a fan from a Mondeo, a visit to the scrapyard & £5 later, his overheating problem was solved.
Good luck,
p.s., may sound stupid, but is the current fan in the right way around ?[/quote
Thanks - it's a question I asked, because the hot air was being pushed out through the front grill from behind the rad, which I thought was odd (I may be a PistonHead but I'm not a mechanic). No clear answer yet, as the vendor still has the beast to sort out. Regards.
Good luck,
p.s., may sound stupid, but is the current fan in the right way around ?[/quote
Thanks - it's a question I asked, because the hot air was being pushed out through the front grill from behind the rad, which I thought was odd (I may be a PistonHead but I'm not a mechanic). No clear answer yet, as the vendor still has the beast to sort out. Regards.
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