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  1. Keeping The E36 Cool, Part 3: Final Prototype

    Keeping The E36 Cool, Part 3: Final Prototype

    Interested in picking up our E36 fan shroud? Check out the full details on this kit on our product page!

    Mishimoto BMW E36 Performance Fan Shroud Kit!

    Our final prototype is complete and looks fantastic. The fan mount is constructed from 1/8" steel that has been cut to a specific shape allowing for additional airflow through the radiator core at speed. Additionally, the mount is powder coated black to provide a durable finish. As noted in our last post, we tested this unit extensively with our 16" fan to ensure that coolant temperatures were properly regulated during both idle and all driving conditions.

    Check out a few shots of the mount!

    Final prototype of fan mount
    Final
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  2. BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 1: Initial Design

    BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 1: Initial Design

    Interested in picking up our E46 intake system? Check out our product page for more information!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Performance Air Intake

    Stock E46 intake system
    Stock E46 intake system


    Stock E46 intake system
    Stock E46 intake system

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  3. Mishimoto E46 3-Series Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 2: 3D Models

    Mishimoto E46 3-Series Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 2: 3D Models

    Interested in purchasing our E46 aluminum radiator? Check out our product page linked below!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Non-M Performance Aluminum Radiator!

    3D Modeling

    After some serious 3D modeling work in Solidworks, our first prototype unit is complete. Let's check out a few of the renders!

    Mishimoto E46 3-series aluminum radiator 3D model
    Mishimoto E46 3-series aluminum radiator 3D model

    Mishimoto E46 3-series aluminum</body> " width="300" height="283">
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  4. Developing A N54 Catch Can Solution, Part 2: Second Prototype Design

    Developing A N54 Catch Can Solution, Part 2: Second Prototype Design

    Interested in picking up our N54 oil catch can system? Check out more details on our product page linked below!

    BMW N54 Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit

    E90 Test vehicle engine bay
    E90 Test vehicle engine bay

    After evaluating the design of our first prototype and performing some additional research regarding customer needs, we were prepared to fabricate a second prototype. As noted toward the end of our last post, we would be relocating our catch can for easier servicing, and we would also be designing a new catch can lid to accommodate the larger ports for the N54 CCV system.

    Catch Can Lid Prototyping

    A teaser in our last post revealed the plans

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  5. E46 3-Series Aluminum Expansion Tank, Part 1: Stock Tank Evaluation

    E46 3-Series Aluminum Expansion Tank, Part 1: Stock Tank Evaluation

    Enthusiast groups' feedback plays a massive role in our product development process. Not only is it a great way to bounce ideas off our potential customers, but it also allows us to see exactly what our customers want and need for their vehicles. This project is no different. Due to a substantial amount of demand via forums and social media, we decided it was time to get the ball rolling on this coolant expansion project.

    Stock Expansion Tank

    In typical BMW fashion, this tank was quite unique and featured some very interesting components, both internally and externally. First, a look at the exterior of the tank. Many of you are very familiar with this, based on the rate of failure reported for this plastic tank.

    Stock E46 3-series coolant expansion tank
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  6. Keeping The E36 Cool, Part 2: Second Prototype

    Keeping The E36 Cool, Part 2: Second Prototype

    Interested in picking up our E36 fan shroud? Check out the full details on this kit on our product page!

    Mishimoto BMW E36 Performance Fan Shroud Kit!

    E36 M3 on dyno
    E36 M3 on dyno

    First Prototype Testing

    When we left off last time we were exploring our first prototype design. This unit is a traditional aluminum fan shroud with air flaps to improve core airflow at speed. Once we had a working prototype, we decided to perform some idle testing to see how well our single electric fan would perform on a mostly stock E36 M3.

    To get started, we began removing the stock setup.

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  7. Mishimoto E46 Non-M Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 1: Stock Radiator Evaluation

    Mishimoto E46 Non-M Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 1: Stock Radiator Evaluation

    Interested in purchasing our E46 aluminum radiator? Check out our product page linked below!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Non-M Performance Aluminum Radiator!

    E46 325ci test vehicle
    E46 325ci test vehicle


    A peek under the hood reveals a clean and entirely stock engine bay. This would be helpful because we know what components we will need to incorporate into the design of our radiator. It will also help provide clearance information in regard to how much we can increase the size of our radiator.

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  8. BMW E36 Aluminum Coolant Expansion Tank R&D, Part 1: Intro and Factory Tank

    BMW E36 Aluminum Coolant Expansion Tank R&D, Part 1: Intro and Factory Tank

    Interested in picking up this aluminum E36 expansion tank? Check out our product page linked below!

    BMW E36 Aluminum Coolant Expansion Tank!

    Historically, BMW vehicles have been plagued with rather frequent cooling system failures. A majority of these failures are a result of the use of plastic components in a high-temperature application. Although failure isn't immediate, over time the frequent heat cycling of these plastic components results in increased fragility, fatigue, and eventual failure.

    A few components we see failing on E36 models include the radiator end tanks, radiator expansion tank, and the mechanical fan. We already offer two aluminum radiator options, and we have an electric-fan conversion kit in the works. An expansion tank is our last stop for product development on the E36 (for now). We have had numerous requests

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  9. Developing a N54 Catch Can Solution, Part 1: Initial Prototype

    Developing a N54 Catch Can Solution, Part 1: Initial Prototype

    Interested in picking up our N54 oil catch can system? Check out more details on our product page linked below!

    BMW N54 Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit

    BMW 335i test vehicle
    BMW 335i test vehicle

    The BMW N54 is a fantastic engine that produces great power in stock form and responds very well to basic modifications such as exhaust and ECU tuning. However, if you do not stay on top of servicing your BMW, maintenance and repair bills can certainly cast a shadow on 135i or 335i ownership. One of the primary challenges is dealing with valve buildups caused by oil entering the intake tract. Because the N54 is a direct injection engine, it does not benefit from the valve cleaning properties

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  10. Keeping the E36 Cool, Part 1: Initial Fan Shroud Design

    Keeping the E36 Cool, Part 1: Initial Fan Shroud Design

    Interested in picking up our E36 fan shroud? Check out the full details on this kit on our product page!

    Mishimoto BMW E36 Performance Fan Shroud Kit!

    E36 M3 test vehicle
    E36 M3 test vehicle

    Cooling systems on older BMW models have been recognized as a frequent failure point requiring regular replacement to avoid catastrophic failure. This includes anything made of plastic within the system. So far we have a few remedies - an aluminum radiator and a silicone coolant hose kit. The mechanical fan is next on our list to be addressed.

    The stock fan setup is certainly efficient in keeping your straight six cool. That said, a fan failure can get quite ugly with

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