"inferno493" (inferno493)
06/06/2018 at 18:06 • Filed to: None
0
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"inferno493" (inferno493)
06/06/2018 at 18:06 • Filed to: None | 0
| 17 |
Hey Jalopniks, I have a problem and maybe you have what it takes to point me in the right direction.
I have a car, namely a 2004 BMW E46 M3 (see above). This particular car also has a supercharger and associated paraphanelia, including a front-mount intercooler behind the (stock) radiator with the air-pushing duties being handled by the stock fan setup (electric out front, mechanical in the engine bay). Usually, this setup is adequate for most situations, but when temperatures get up above 90 or so things start to get roasty. I can’t run the a/c and if I get stuck in stop and go traffic I risk having to pull over and pop the hood for a few minutes. Running up steep mountains into higher altitudes (8000' or so) results in similar roastiness.
My question is in regard to increasing the cooling capacity of the car? What is the cheapest, bestest (meaning cheapest) way to make this problem go away? Can I just get a higher CFM fan to replace the stock electric? Do I need a higher capacity radiator ($$$)? Does anyone have relatable experience and or insight?
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 18:33 |
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A upgraded oil cooler will help a bit
HammerheadFistpunch
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 18:33 |
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Im in the midst of cooling system woes myself but my theory is that a properly functioning cooling system ought to be sufficient for all uses cases outside of mods. It could be air in the system, it could be you need to replace components, or it could be that you have a blockage or clog. In any event, a healthy cooling system shouldn’t do that and adding more might not be helpful at all.
For Sweden
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 18:37 |
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Buy a bigger radiator
AestheticsInMotion
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 18:50 |
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Cheapest and most effective...?
Vents in the hood. Get the hot air out quicker. I’ve yet to do mine, but based on data from others I’m expecting temps to drop about 20° just from that.
His Stigness
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 18:54 |
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Bigger and better radiator.
But you can also try Redline’s water wetter. With the right mixture of coolant, distilled water, and water wetter you can drop the coolant temperature quite substantially. I think I dropped the temp in my Mercedes 10 C with the water wetter. Maybe less. It’s been a while.
AM3R, lost another burner
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 18:56 |
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I have a 335i, which are known to run a little hot. Add a nice big oil cooler and you’ll be a lot better off. If you have money to spend... CSF has lotssss of nice parts that will solve this problem!
gettingoldercarguy
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 19:13 |
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Vented hood will help as well.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> HammerheadFistpunch
06/06/2018 at 19:16 |
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But the car in question has an add on supercharger
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gettingoldercarguy
> AestheticsInMotion
06/06/2018 at 19:23 |
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Plus
http://mashaw.biz/bmw_hoods.asp
Should help fix most of the problems. Water wetter or Amsoil coolant boost (works better) would help as well.
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For Sweden
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/06/2018 at 19:28 |
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daender
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 19:40 |
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Vents in the hood for sure. There doesn’t appear to be any structural members in the way of where the M3 GTR vents would go. So make two holes and either buy replica vent inserts or put some mesh underneath the holes?
Miata guys will cut holes in their hoods to improve cooling. This guy used mesh for his DIY job . You might be able to get some ideas from his thread for your own hood.
cluelessk
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 19:41 |
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BMW’s have pretty sealed off engine compartments.
Maybe removing the hood seals at the rear of engine would help.
Friends 2 inch cowl made a huge difference. Air gets sucked out at speed.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/06/2018 at 20:31 |
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Good point.
BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> inferno493
06/06/2018 at 20:45 |
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Fill the radiator with dry ice, duh.
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inferno493
> AestheticsInMotion
06/06/2018 at 21:38 |
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I think hood vents would probably do the trick. However, I like the understated look of the car and I think hood vents would really bug me in the long run.
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inferno493
> gettingoldercarguy
06/06/2018 at 21:42 |
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Funny, that’s exactly the radiator package I was looking at. I would definitely go with the full radiator upgrade if money was not an obstacle. I think the wetting agent is a great idea I will definitely try.
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inferno493
> cluelessk
06/06/2018 at 21:45 |
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Interestingly, I heard that the side strakes on the M3 were originally intended to be engine vents but they weren’t needed so they are just covers over a hollow area. I wonder if anyone has turned them into functioning vents before? I would like to keep the car looking stock as it really sneaks under the radar when 5-0 rolls past.