09-03-2020, 07:20 PM | #1 |
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Is upgrading the radiator worth it?
I'm thinking of tuning my car soon, and upgrading, the FMIC, charge pipe, boost pipe, turbo inlet and was wondering if I should upgrade the radiator too? will that give any performance gains? i understand tha'll help maintain engine temps and keep them cooler while on track, (i do plan on tracking the car eventually, tho not very competitively). Just wondering if i should invest the extra 600 dollars.
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09-03-2020, 07:27 PM | #2 |
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Nahh, I wouldn’t worry about it until you start seeing coolant temps >240F on track. The ECU won’t pull power until 242F.
And if you end up going BM3 or MHD, they have Max Cool modes that will set the engine temp setpoints lower so the engine is cooler when you start a track session. That will buy you a little more time before hitting higher temps. Lastly, using a thicker 5W-40 oil for the track in the summer will bring oil temps down 10-15F, as well. Those are some little things you can do before upgrading the radiator, but if you log and see coolant hit 242F it’s time to upgrade! |
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09-04-2020, 07:11 PM | #4 |
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09-05-2020, 01:19 PM | #7 |
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That wouldn’t happen in any of these scenarios. The thermostat and oil/coolant exchanger will still bring temps up where they need to be quickly.
MaxCool and larger coolers simply provide more time before hitting high temps by targeting ~10F cooler operating temp and larger heat rejection capacity when things get rocking. |
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09-05-2020, 05:53 PM | #8 | |
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The rings are designed to expand with heat to create a proper seal. What temp is best for them, and if the M2 cooling mods taken them out of that range, I have no idea. But running the car cooler than OEM poses a risk. Doesn't matter if the car eventually heats up to proper temp, it will still be running below temp for longer than it was designed for. So I'm not saying, and never said, don't do the cooling mods. Just make sure you actually need them, and that a majority of the cars life is spent in proper warmed up temps, especially before and during you romping on it. |
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09-05-2020, 06:15 PM | #9 |
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This still isn’t an issue unless you’re ice racing your M2 and don’t need cooling mods at all.
My car doesn’t get to operating temps any noticeably less slowly with all the cooling mods (1min longer?). The computer, thermostat, and oil/coolant exchanger makes sure of that. Last edited by ZM2; 09-05-2020 at 06:37 PM.. |
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09-09-2020, 10:08 AM | #10 |
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I recommend upgrading the radiator if you plan on tracking the car on a regular basis
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09-09-2020, 12:30 PM | #11 |
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09-10-2020, 10:16 AM | #12 |
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I would still do it for the track days
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06-20-2023, 06:55 AM | #13 |
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What's the long term effects with the cooling upgrades? It's been 3 years so surely if there were an issue it would have come up by now. My guess is that the cooing upgrades caused no harm and the car is fine.
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06-20-2023, 08:14 AM | #14 | |
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The truth is the packaging is so tight on the OG M2 that any plug & play cooling upgrades aren’t adding a huge amount of additional cooling, and the electronics on the car are still bringing operating temps up just as quickly as stock. You just get some additional higher temp cooling capacity when you’re pushing the car hard in the summer or on track. Just don’t run the BM3 MaxCooling setting in the winter. Save it for summer or for the track. |
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06-20-2023, 11:10 AM | #15 | |
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06-20-2023, 02:32 PM | #16 | |
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The outcome? 445whp on a Dynojet with a Dinan turbo, and 480whp with a TTE460 stage 1 turbo. Was it worth it for all the moronic brain damage and me getting docked 1,000 Rep points (and a temporary ban for him)? IDK, but at least everyone now has access to the Stg 2+ E30 and Multimap OTS maps. Btw, if you’re DCT, I have an extra CSF DCT cooler that’s in good condition that’d I’d sell for a good price. Just PM me if interested. |
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06-20-2023, 04:33 PM | #17 | |
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