280i radiator mounting

[NY280]

Hey guys,

I recently bought a US spec 1985 280i with a mechanical fan and radiator mounted in the engine bay. I am considering mounting a radiator in the front nose cone like in the Series 2 cars and was wondering exactly how they were mounted from the factory. Anyone have any pictures or diagrams of where the radiator is bolted? Can a radiator even be mounted in the nosecone in a Series 1.5 car? Thanks

Ted

[jeff m]

I think it's a different rad isn't it. I've only seen a couple of series IIs I thought they were shorter.
Don't forget you'll have to re hose your A/C too, and find a fan thermostat that actually works!
I had electric fans on mine for a couple of months till I was able to get a new clutch fan. I prefer the clutch fan set up.
You may also have to move the oil cooler.

[pwd95]

Just replaced the rad on my 1987 350/450. Not a difficult job. You'll need to remove the front spoiler to gain access (couple of bolts!). Then you'l need to fabricate a couple of brackets to mount a suitable rad in the space that you have. The standard core is a Range Rover item, but if you can find a suitable alternative item that will fit, then it may be cheaper for you.





Mine has an electric fan which is mounted on to the rad itself at the back, sucking air through the rad.

Back of rad :

Note the positions of the top, bottom and expansion bottle hoses.



The mounting brackets on mine bolt through to the headlamp pod voids.



My brackets have horizontal "floors" with holes that locate these pins:



Good luck

Edited by pwd95 on Saturday 11th November 00:44

[NY280]

Thanks for the replies. I am using a radiator & dual electric fan set up from an RX-7 that I happen to have laying around. The RX-7 also had its radiator/fan mounted in the front nose like the TVR. I have a 180 deg fan switch to trigger one fan and the other fan wll be run manually off a switch. I also changed to a 180 deg thermostat and fully removed the air conditioning system. My big problem now is that my series 1.5 does not seem to have the same mounting locations for the radiator as the newer wedges do. I'll have to make some kind of bracket to hold the radiator in place.

Anymore pics or diagrams would be helpful especially of any series 2 280i's.

Ted

[SEvans]

I fitted a radiator in the nose cone on my Tasmin 200. The radiator is off a Sierra Cosworth so not sure how it compares to the one you want to use. It fitted no problem with the twin fans. You need to remove the front skirt, which IIRC is held on with a number of self taper screws on the earlier cars. It's also worth removing the bonnet, as it makes access from the top much easier. You will then get a better idea if it is going to fit. I made mounting brackets that bolt to the front body/ chassis mounts. I haven't got any picture but could take some tomorrow if you want more info.
I've been running the car for a couple of years now and haven't had any overheating issues even in the last hot summer. I'm running the YB Cosworth 4 cylinder not the 2.8 v6, but it is pushing out 280 BHP so does generate some heat. I would be surprised if this modification didn't improve the cooling somewhat on the 2.8. Cheers Steve