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BMW E36 Engine & Performance

Mishimoto BMW Z3 X-Line Performance Aluminum Radiator, 1999-2002


Introduction

The Mishimoto performance aluminum radiator for the 1988-91 BMW E30 and 1992-1999 BMW E36 cars with 6 cylinder engines is a big improvement over the OEM radiators and a great track upgrade. Designed and specifically engineered to maximize cooling efficiency by up to 30%, boost engine functions, and protect your car from overheating. This Mishimoto unit has a BIGGER core and holds more fluid than the small OEM unit. The Mishimoto unit has fabricated and welded aluminum end tanks and a much thicker aluminum core, unlike the OEM unit which has plastic end tanks glued to a skinny little core.

If your BMW is a daily driver, autocrosser, or track car, you can never have "too much cooling". The stock BMW radiators are multi-piece plastic/aluminum units with tiny little cores but the Mishimoto is just bigger and better in every way. It is also a bolt-in solution for these cars, no drama needed.

 

Most stock radiators can't handle all of the heat that comes from road course use on the OEM 6 cylinder, or worse - for the ever popular LS1 V8 swaps we at Vorshlag like to stuff into these cars! These performance radiators are made with 100 percent brazed aluminum, with a lightweight dual core and polished end tanks. Each radiator comes with a radiator cap and magnetic drain plug. So, whether you're a daily driver in search of a dependable, high-quality upgrade from your current OEM radiator or a devoted racer who needs a lightweight, high performance radiator, Mishimoto has just what you need.

Vorshlag has installed Mishimoto aluminum radiators on countless cars - Miatas, BMWs, Mustangs, and Subarus - including our shop built, NASA TTU classed BMW E36 V8, shown above. With a 490 whp 7.0L V8 we added some extra heat to a normal E36, and this Mishimoto radiator was the best cooling upgrade we performed. The price is impossible to beat, the craftsmanship is excellent, and with a lifetime warranty? A Mishimoto radiator is the first thing we add on any tracked E36 or V8 powered BMW. We managed to set the fastest time of the entire NASA race weekend that day in this V8 BMW, and thankfully cooling was never an issue. - Terry Fair @ Vorshlag

Key Features

  • Direct fit for all 1999-2002 BMW Z3 and Z3M models with M52, M52TU and S52 engines
  • 2-row core for improved strength and reliability.
  • 92% thicker than stock for increased cooling capacity and efficiency.
  • Overall size of 25.71" x 18.43" x 2.9"
  • Greater density of rows for higher cooling capacity.
  • More contact points for additional heat transfer.
  • Includes magnetic drain plug
  • Lifetime warranty

We have lost count of how many BMW V8s we have built, but every one of them used a Mishimoto radiator. From 350 whp to 540 whp, these have never disappointed us. They bolt in and handle the heat, no problem.

Our first install of this Mishimoto Z3 radiator was in the LS1 powered 2002 Z3 shown below. This car made over 400 whp and was an autocross car, so it never had a lot of airflow across the radiator. No heating issues whatsoever.