BMW E30 M52 Swap Cooling System Guide [E36 AC Radiator + SPAL 16" Pusher Fan & Wiring] 055

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Awesome job mate!! I’ve just fitted an M44 engine to my E30, the old M42 blew up, so I took a similar engine from a Z3. Not got round to the wiring yet, but will copy the cooling system you’ve done here 👍🏼

[@SPANNERRASH]

Nice, the 1.9 M44 is a nice motor, glad your swap went well, hope the wiring is straightforward for it. I'm well chuffed with the cooling setup, hope it performs as good as it looks!

[@MacKenzie001]

These videos are phenomenal, I have a 318 and an M52 sitting beside in my garage right, you are instrumental in helping me get this thing done. Many thanks for the effort, top notch.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks so much Chris, I hope my videos inspire you to get stuck in. Hopefully you will see a lot of my pain points and be able to overcome them much quicker using the info. 😄

[@benfidar]

Fantastic as always. I am dreading changing my thermostat because I have almost no heat. It was really useful to see you take all of your bits apart first!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you Ben, I was a bit bummed to find the thermostat leaked as I thought I'd done a great job the first time when refreshing engine bits. I don't like to slap sealant on stuff that already has seals, but needs must, these are notorious for leaking and I guess I now know why. 😆 Hopefully seeing it on my vid will give you a big head start.

[@YungMacintosh]

God this video helped me decided to just keep it on a switch. Props to you tho! Your build is going to be so clean

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha! I think it looks more complicated than it is, but you can always just buy the kit and follow this guide. 😃 Cheers!

[@polloloci21]

Dude- your videos are so informative. I still have the original M20B25 and likely wont ever swap it- but I love to see how these swaps are done. I’ll only add ITBs to my car one day and keep it mostly stock.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you mate, if mine was an M20B25 I would embrace that too, it's a very cool engine, and ITBs would be epic! I intentionally picked the cheapest lowest spec 316i I could find so I didn't feel bad about chopping and changing it however I liked. It was never going to be a collector car this one. 😃

[@polloloci21]

@@SPANNERRASH you would be surprised what cars become collector items. Your car would definitely be appealing to many collectors that want a fun “classic” car with more modern power. My M20B25 puked its oil out last week from a failed o-ring on the oil filter housing 🙄- it’s that kinda of stuff that makes me want to put something newer in there - but as you know- is a lot lot work- and I still have a 300tdi that keeps me busy. 😵‍💫

[@bobfrankish8883]

Well done, things are moving along nicely. Just a point on the coolant. Up until a few months ago when I retired, I used to work for Euro Car Parts. I was going to buy some of the Triple QX blue because I got it really cheap being staff, but I couldn't get to the bottom of the actual specifications of it. I have ended up buying the Comma Xstream G48 which meets the relevant BMW specifications and is quite a bit cheaper than the genuine BMW coolant. I paid £30 for 6 litres of concentrate which will make 12L of coolant. The only thing is it is blue/green in colour rather than pure blue, but that doesn't worry me much.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks for the insight Bob, I have tried a few coolants in my time but I've been using this stuff for a while in multiple cars and been quite happy with it. I've got a basic understanding of coolants but I haven't dived too deep into the formulations like you have by the sound of it. I will check out your recommended, but really don't like to mix the colours if I can avoid it. Got to be blue in a BMW for me, easier to tell what's leaking on your driveway. 😄

[@bobfrankish8883]

@@SPANNERRASH I'll tell you what I've learnt. The car I'm working on (E31) V8 engine, someone had put red coolant in it and I suspect it had reacted with old blue coolant and the result was giant clumps of white gunge everywhere. It took ages to flush out. So these people who say they are all the same and it doesn't matter what you use are wrong. I too have used the triple QX blue in my other cars with no apparent problems. As far as I know, the blue coolant is not that long lasting and should be changed more regularly, say every 2 years. I am just trying to do everything right on this car, hence the making sure the coolant meets the specs. It is all ethylene glycol at the end of the day, but it is the additives that cause the issues. I think BMW stress that is has to be nitrates free, and I couldn't confirm that the triple QX blue actually was. The correct stuff would be the BMW own make, but it is only available in 1.5L bottles, I would have needed 4, and I think it's £14 a bottle.

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@bobfrankish8883 My god, that description of mixing the coolant and it gunging up into big clumps is exactly my fear and what makes me extra cautious about mixing them! 😱 In the past, a younger me used this QX blue and mixed it with what I can only presume is BMWs own, and I had no issues with it and when I eventually changed it no clumps. This lead me to trusting the stuff, but yes you're right about it needing to be changed more often, the bottle states 2 years I think. I suspect this E30 will be getting more maintenance than miles, so as the price of this stuff, refreshing it every couple of years should be no sweat. Time will tell how it goes, but at the end of the day I can always flush and change to BMWs own or try the Comma stuff. Ultimately this is my "cheap" project car so I try not to lose sleep over it. I would only put BMWs own stuff in my M3 though as I'm far more mindful about "protecting my investment" with that. Cant afford to break it! 😆 Thanks for sharing your knowledge on that, I really appreciate it, as will others who frequent the comments here.

[@Moocow444]

Man I love your videos So clean, informational and gets straight to the point. Keep it up!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers mate, really glad you enjoy them! I try to make them as useful as possible for people doing similar builds. 😄

[@robrattray6948]

Good watch. Come at a good time as was just trying to wrap my head around the electric fan wiring for the m30 swap and I've yet to come across a video, tons of useful forum posts but my brain works better visually when it comes to wiring, with as much detail regarding the wiring and fuse box situation. Will have to contact Dan about that eletric fan wiring loom. Looks properly smart

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers! Yeah wiring is not my forte, even the nice kit from Dan took me a bit of figuring out. I couldn't get my head around how it worked at first, but now its on its bloody brilliant. Really happy with the result. Hope the guide helps you out, can't recommend the BM conversions loom for this enough, would have been a right pain making it from scratch. 👍

[@boatbloke6701]

Excellent video, very informative, and as always meticulous work. Thank you and look forward to the next!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you mate, really glad you enjoyed it. 😁

[@DazHarkz90]

Thanks for the content matey :) been following along as you have progressed. I've had an M50 half sat in one of my E28s for the past 11 years (a project that went cold before I ended up going to university) and your videos have been motivating me to getting that motor up and running as well as quite a few inspirational points towards my 2.0 to 2.8 Z3 conversation that's just about complete. Well done on everything so far, you should be proud :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Darren! I know exactly what you mean about projects. Before you start they seem so quick and simple, but when you get into it you realise how time intensive they really are, even simple builds like mine. Then life gets in the way and before you know it you've lost momentum. Comments like these definitely help me persist. As does making myself accountable by uploading vids to YT. 🤭 Really hope my vids help kickstart you on the E28 M50 swap, sounds like an awesome project.

[@LaGaletteSaucisse]

Merci beaucoup pour les conseils, j’adore tes vidéo. ✌🏼

[@SPANNERRASH]

Je suis vraiment contente que les vidéos vous plaisent. J'espère qu'ils vous seront utiles. 😃

[@anttusilander7657]

Excellent as always!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you! 😃

[@zeherix]

very nice detailed video! But you've to trim the bracket of the oil filter housing, otherwise the upper hose will be damaged.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you, and very good eye. I am also bothered by that lug on the oil filter housing. I'm concerned it will rub through the hose if given enough time. I will consider trimming it off when I start to tidy up the engine bay for a final finish. Have you encountered the same issue on your own build?

[@zeherix]

Yes, it will definitely damage the hose when it inflates. Had the same issues with my build.

[@BackToTheeighteens]

Very nice explained. Thank you man

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers mate, hope its helpful for you!

[@b19gok]

Love the absolutle effort you put into all these videos , some fine attention to detail.. i was out on mine today since weather was agreeable. I just got some bits off Dan at BM conversion TOP bloke. I'm converting the E30 to run MK60 standalone ABS. Cant wait to see your maiden voyage ❤️

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers mate! Yeah I keep going back to BMConversions for more parts, he's a treasure trove of E30 engine swap solutions. 😃 MK60 ABS conversion sounds interesting, my E46 uses this system and it's sound. Even though I love the simplicity of my E30, I kind of wish it had ABS. It really does make a world of difference getting the car stopped in an emergency situation, especially in the wet. 😅 I may explore options in the future, you'll have to let me know how yours works out.

[@b19gok]

Indeed I got the adapters for the ABS sensors n the rear arms from him. I also plan to use the sensor as digital inputs for traction control strategies. I crashed my first E30 ... abs would have helped me potentially save it 😅 so I'm implementing it here. I'm looking at the position of the pump n sensors. I'll let you know how I get on 😊

[@SPANNERRASH]

​@@b19gok Sounds brilliant. I very nearly crashed my first one too when some idiot pulled out on me from a side road. I slammed the anchors on and the wheels locked up on me. Millimetres from disaster but would have been stopped much quicker with ABS. I know people say with the right technique you can get a non-ABS car stopped just as quickly, but in the heat of an emergency you don't really have clarity of thought to lift off the pedal a bit and regain traction. 😆 I look forward to seeing how it comes out for you.

[@Deep-sinai]

The best way I have done to get rid of the high temperature is to turn off the thermostat and close the hot water nozzle. In winter, you can use the thermostat. For me, I prefer to cancel the thermostat because I live in the Sinai Desert

[@SPANNERRASH]

Blimey, it must be hot in the desert if you run no thermostat at all. I am using an 80 degree thermostat here in the UK and along with those rad and fan set up it should be spot on at keeping the car in its optimal operating temperature range.

[@harrmeez]

Really informative video, thank you! Do you mind sharing the part number of the temperature switch? My current switch is 90 degrees and it switches on around 3/4 so the next line from halfway mark. This means the engine is consistently running too hot. Thanks in advance!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers! To be honest the temp switch came with the wiring kit from BMConversions. Theres no clear part numbers of anything like that on it. I suspect if you get in touch with Dan at BMConversions he can sell you one, but you might be able to find one somewhere online. Hope that helps!

[@cousinsquigz485]

awesome stuff🙂

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers!

[@christopherastbury-mg2iz]

Lovely job, attention to detail is fab to watch. I notice the air filter cone. Where did you exactly get that from please?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Christopher, it actually came with the M52 engine. No brand on it either so I'm really not sure. It's had a good clean but really not in great condition either, some damage and rust on the filter. It's been cobbled together from bits and bobs really. I think I will need to come up with a new intake filter design.

[@christopherastbury-mg2iz]

Many thanks, just completed a 300tdi conversion, and my ait cone is K&N and smaller than yours, I build a aluminium shroud more or less round it. Air still gets in. keep up the excellent videos to you and the old man! :)@@SPANNERRASH

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@christopherastbury-mg2iz Ahh yes, this one definitely isn't a K&N, but it is a big 'un! Definitely wise to shroud it from the engine bay heat as it won't help with performance sucking in hot air. Plenty more vids to come, thank you! 😁

[@DrivenPHPOV]

I have an issue with my beamer. The car was driving fine. parked for the night and when i tried to start it in the morning, then the car kept cranking but no start whatsoever. No fuel, No spark, No fuel injected. I bypassed the fuse and relays and i got fuel pressure from the pump to the rail. But still no fuel injected and no spark. You guys reken EWS failure or DME failure? The window cowl has no more seal and the ecu might have gotten wet. I appreciate any inputs on what you guys think

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, that sounds like a really strange issue, it definitely could be the ECU. Especially if it has been wet. But I would check the relays and fuses very carefully before replacing it, these are by far the most likely problem.

[@ashlysimon22]

Hi, what fan are you using? I'm after an auxiliary fan for my z3 to work with my clutch fan, but I'm unsure on what fan to get

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Ashly, I went for a quality SPAL pusher fan based on recommendation, its this one: ebay.us/lpYPCl

[@whatleytom]

Can’t you use those zip tie style things to mount the fan to the rad. There’s little mini brackets on the fan to allow you to do so and thread through the rad fins. Would be a lot cleaner than Alu angle.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I was planning to do this at first, and to be honest I think it would work fine. Although you do hear of them eventually failing or gnawing away at the rad over time. Due to this, I opted to go with Dan's recommendation to solid mount it with the aly. Check out the links in the description, it really wasn't expensive to mount it this way actually if you price it up.

[@bmwe30club64]

Good day beamers: I'm doing a multivalve conversion from M10B18. I cut the C101 connector plug from my M10 wiring to connect it with the m50B25 wiring loom: luckily all wires match the color coding except for two wires which are Green/Yellow and the other is Brown/ white. I'd like to know the color coding do these two match Last thing I'd like to know is do I use my old starter and alternator wires or do they come with the wiring loom? If so then what color are they!? Thank you

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, I think the answers you are looking for can be found in this M52 wiring video. I can't remember all the wiring colours off-hand, but I cover it all here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZC5knmZgNydoqcsi=ZUlhE8XAmf4EEj15 Watch the first start video too which refers to wiring. Hope that helps!

[@bmwe30club64]

@@SPANNERRASH good day. I have watched all your videos funny enough and unfortunately I have the early euro bumper e30 wiring and seems like the two colors I have don't match with your late e30 318 wiring But thanks for the feedback

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@bmwe30club64 Ahh that is unfortunate that they are different, I only have experience with the wiring on the facelift model, but hopefully someone out there has made a table matching early and late wiring colours somewhere.

[@bmwe30club64]

@@SPANNERRASH no problem sir 😅 thanks for the help so far 🙏

[@robi6713]

My 1989 320i e30 m20b20 engine got clogged radiator, I need to replace it but I dont know wich option to go and what dimension, any tips please?

[@SPANNERRASH]

I got a radiator from an E36 AC equipped car to give some better cooling for the M52 swap. If you're sticking M20 I would say get a direct replacement and it should be easy and more than good enough. Flush your block through with a hose if you can, maybe it's clogged with limescale and you wont want that going directly into your new rad.

[@robi6713]

How does the temperature stay with only the electric fan? I just had my viscous fan touch the radiator and it broke, I don't know what to do If i should give up the viscous mechanical fan and get an electric fan or just change the motor and trans mounts..

[@SPANNERRASH]

Is it also an M52 swapped E30? I cant imagine how you fit the viscous in the gap! I would ditch that for an electric pusher fan. Honestly, the way I have mine set up, it's rock steady, never even a hint of overheating. I am surprised by how good it turned out to be. However, I would modify the mounting strip to not have the strip in the swept area because I actually found mine broke due to blade strike. Stay tuned and I will explain/show all in the next E30 vid.

[@robi6713]

@@SPANNERRASH its a 2.0 M50B20 non vanos, the clutch fan its from a diesel e30, the radiator too, Should i Get the same radiator with a 16inch spal fan? Someone told me to change the engine rubber mounts to OEM from E34 cars?

[@handro123]

How do you remove the fan if you need to replace it? It seems locked in place with the aluminum side brackets riveted in place and the bolts hard mounted to the fan. Would it have been better to put a nut on the fan side and then a bolt through the side brackets?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Good observation, I would have preferred to put the nut on the fan side, but then screwing the bolt in would have stressed the fan shroud plastic and potentially cracked it, so I decided to play it safe. I suppose I could have cut bolts down and just been very careful about not overtightening them. I see no reason why you couldn't bolt the alu trims to the radiator instead of rivets, that might have been more serviceable too. Luckily, drilling those rivets or grinding them off would only take a moment if/when I need to look at the fan again. Hopefully with it being a top quality SPAL unit, I wont need to worry about that for many years! 🤞

[@handro123]

Thanks for the reply. Keep up the great work!

[@mcjjordan]

What temperature is your rad fan switch operating at? Think my e21 was 90

[@SPANNERRASH]

Its an 82 degree one iirc, came with the BMConversions kit. Works amazingly well. Watching the temp gauge in the E30 it seems to keep it in the middle range when it clicks on and off. We will see how that looks when the car is driving on the road but seems like it will be spot on.

[@hunterbare1083]

Could you please leave a part number for the thermostat you used?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Hunter, it was part of the BM Conversions kit, it's not a BMW part so I'm really not sure. If you google for an 80c thermostatic switch you'll find one. Just confirm the thread size first.

[@hunterbare1083]

@SPANNERRASH thank you for the reply! Videos have been a great reference.

[@danielcastillo1330]

What expansion tank hose did you use?

[@SPANNERRASH]

You mean the long one which goes between the spider pipe and the bottom of the coolant reservoir? It's the same hose as from an E36, came with my M52B28 engine.

[@danielcastillo1330]

@@SPANNERRASH do you by any chance have the part number to it? I can’t seem to find it

[@jurgenschembri1328]

Do you know the radiator’s part number please?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Jurgen, hmm I'm not actually sure of the part number for it. But it's the big radiator found on BMW E36 cars with air con including the 328i, but I think also 4-cyl E36s too. Hope that helps!

[@bluecheese861]

Let me know if you aren't sure what to do about the tach reading correctly.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, I have a coding plug to make it read correctly for 6-cyl. Still haven't got around to fitting it yet but that should correct it afaik. 😃

[@bluecheese861]

I found with the older clusters they dont come with a coding plug(316i/318i M10) but I guess its your lucky day! @@SPANNERRASH

[@CYMRU619]

@@SPANNERRASH It's a piece of cake to wire one of those in compared to the rest of the wiring stuff you've had to do👍🏻

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@CYMRU619 Possibly true haha, it required much less research. Always find it daunting though, I was scared about opening the fusebox. 😅 Couldn't have worked out better though!

[@S1ckbg]

i was about to ask why not just use the oem electric fan but there is not enough space :/ on another note just use a coin to turn the bleeding screw and be gentle with it. Dont even bother with the bras aliexpress crap it will destroy your rad

[@SPANNERRASH]

Nice, a coin is a good idea, I will give that a try next time. I totally agree about the brass screws, I think they are only for use in emergency situations to save a rad where the thread is gone. I'm gonna stick to a new plastic one. Cheers! 😄

[@speedtrapchannel7326]

only anoying thing are the ad every 4 min 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️💩

[@SPANNERRASH]

Maybe you would benefit from YT premium where you can watch without ads. To be honest, I don't think they're going anywhere. Ads are the reason YT allow us to upload videos that you get to watch for free.