Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator - United Bimmer Community

**komodo** · 11-07-2005, 12:33 PM

I've heard a lot of people talking about how they wanted to upgrade to these, but what advantages do they offer? Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thanks.

DEATH2000 · 11-07-2005, 01:50 PM

Aluminum conducts heat alot better than normal metals such as steel. So used a a radiator it would help keep water temp kooler than a normal steel radiator

**bitcore** · 11-07-2005, 02:02 PM

+ aluminum is considerably lighter than steel
If my fan blades keep poping into the radiator and cut a hole, then I'll have to look into getting a new one....

**komodo** · 11-07-2005, 02:07 PM

So there's no real advantages unless you're having cooling problems?

drz · 11-07-2005, 02:10 PM

Running cooler is an advantage, plus there is the weight reduction, which many consider an advantage.

**c1apton** · 11-07-2005, 04:06 PM

PROS:Running an aluminum radiator disipates heat better - you can run a smaller radiator, smaller amount of coolant to get by for the cooling side of eng needs. Weight would greatly be decreased
CONS:Usually have to change thermostat and your heater efficency will suffer (like little or no heat) and they are very fragile (bugs, rocks, etc ) punture very easy.

**///M Power** · 11-07-2005, 04:54 PM

The great aluminum radiators offered by Fluidyne, Zionsville, and AATunign are all great. Most of them are aluminum which saves wweight, and much more importantly, have larger capacities. AATunign is almost twice as expensive as Fluidyne or Zionsville. Go with fluidyne or Zionsville.

**gwumpkus** · 03-10-2006, 10:50 PM

are fluidyne radiators a direct fit pls? i dun see one for the e36 on their site..

..thanx.!

**EuroStyle** · 03-11-2006, 07:07 AM

They also have aluminum end tanks as opposed to the factory plastic end tanks... and we all know how reliable plastic BMW parts are

-Matt

DEATH2000 · 03-11-2006, 05:09 PM

Hey this thread reminds me, Harry did u have one of those radiators in ur 328i when it blew?

**komodo** · 03-11-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEATH2000

Hey this thread reminds me, Harry did u have one of those radiators in ur 328i when it blew?

Nah, it was a stock radiator. The plastic neck cracked though, so if I had one of these, it probably wouldn't have happened.

**Rooz** · 03-11-2006, 09:33 PM

How about this?

http://www.aatuning.com/cooling/radiator-race/main.php

**Rob** · 03-12-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1apton

PROS:Running an aluminum radiator disipates heat better - you can run a smaller radiator, smaller amount of coolant to get by for the cooling side of eng needs. Weight would greatly be decreased
CONS:Usually have to change thermostat and your heater efficency will suffer (like little or no heat) and they are very fragile (bugs, rocks, etc ) punture very easy.

Maybe it's just me, but wouldn't the AC condenser take the grunt of all the bugs and rocks and all? The only way this would happen if you deleted your AC, but I don't recommend that for a street car either.

Aluminum radiators also add higher flow capabilities to the mix. They are overall much better than anything BMW provides via OE/OEM. There is also a high performance water pump available that will create 15% or more flow through your cooling system. The water pump + the aluminum radiator = perfect cooling. Cooling has always been an issue with the E36 and so on, so this would be a perfect upgrade.