coolant tank relocation height?

[akluminus]

In doing some turbo prep work, I'm going to relocate the coolant expansion tank into the battery well location. Does anyone know if/how important it is to keep the top of the tank at the same height as the radiator? In the stock location, it appears the small line feeding the top of the tank is level with the radiator.

Thanks,

Aaron

[9mil]

I was looking at this last night- you looking to flip the TB and run intercooler piping directly out of battery location?

[RonW]

With the tank down there, how do you plan to fill the cooling system?

[akluminus]

Yep. Already modified the intake manifold for this. Until the turbo comes, the blocking plate is used to cover the new hole. So I won't have to take the intake manifold back off.

[akluminus]

I should clarify this is an e24 chassis. The tank would sit above where the battery is/was (battery going to trunk). Hood clearance means it may be 1" to 3" lower than the stock height. Accessability is no different.

With the tank down there, how do you plan to fill the cooling system?

[RonW]

With the tank down there, how do you plan to fill the cooling system?

I should clarify this is an e24 chassis. The tank would sit above where the battery is/was (battery going to trunk). Hood clearance means it may be 1" to 3" lower than the stock height. Accessability is no different.

I'm not talking about accessibility – I'm saying that if the filler in the tank is below the maximum level in the cooling system, the tank can be full even if the coolant system isn't, which means you won't be able to add coolant.

[akluminus]

That's what I was afraid of. Wherever it is relocated, it needs to be at the same height. Unless I find a different aftermarket radiator.

Aaron

[akluminus]

Well, I was able to get it repositioned and only 1/2" lower than the original location. Note this is an e24, so the clearance may be different. Right now there is only about 1/4" of clearance between the hood and the tank cap. Hope that 1/2" doesn't matter!

[9mil]

Interested to see if this works- also, aRe you going to try to move the PS resivoir? It's smack in the way too

[akluminus]

Yeah, I'll relocate it today. It could be routed around, but will be easier if it is out of the way as well. Something that may help others: the coolant hose that connects to the bottom of the tank is 1" on one end and about 7/8" on the other. Most coolant hose is either 1" or 3/4". I thought about trying to replace the whole thing with a piece of 3/4", but it'd be really stretched on the larger end. Turns out the middle of the hose is 3/4", so if you don't mind just splicing into the middle of it, you can get 2 3/4" hose splices and some 3/4" heater hose at pretty much any auto parts store. Make the existing hose as long as you need it. Taking out the left headlight helps, you can make sure everything clears with the hood closed that way.

[9mil]

Have you run the car at all with this configuration? Any more shots on how you mounted it? I'm assuming maybe the grounding point? Also really interested in how you're going to move that PS resivour- I guess there is a good amount of room to play with now that the tank is gone.

[akluminus]

Not yet unfortunately. It will probably be another week or two. Just about have it put back together, then I need to finish wiring the megasquirt.

One of these days soon I'll be able to post a pic of the G&T tubular manifold on the car!

[akluminus]

I'll post some pics of the installation when I can get back on the car. Left the grounding bracket alone, made a 2 new brackets that just sheet metal screw into the vertical surfaces.

Have you run the car at all with this configuration? Any more shots on how you mounted it? I'm assuming maybe the grounding point? Also really interested in how you're going to move that PS resivour- I guess there is a good amount of room to play with now that the tank is gone.

[akluminus]

I've had it up and running long enough to know now that it appears to be working fine. The coolant level in the tank is a bit higher than normal, but not overflowing. Here it is installed:

[demetk]

I wonder if the e34 535 firewall mounted coolant tank will fit.

[akluminus]

Interesting, I wasn't really aware of that tank until I found pictures of it. Looks too long to fit in the area I relocated to, and there are hood struts in the way (again, e24). However, I wonder if it could be retrofited in the intended location on e24/e28? That would certainly be high enough. I think I'll pull one if I see it in a junkyard next time.