DIY Heat Exchanger Prep
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
DIY Heat Exchanger Prep
I'm having Ron Davis make me a secondary front mount heat exchanger which I'll get in a few weeks. Meanwhile I decided to split the intercooler coolant circuit, add a reservoir, and wire the pump to turn on when in accessory mode. I kept my stock pump for now until the heat exchanger arrives, but will swap in a CM30 during that install.
No IAT logging done before and after splitting the circuit since I was going to do it anyway for the new HE. I plan to log temps with this setup and then after I install the HE.
Pics of course....
Here are the components for splitting the circuit. Reservoir, mounting bracket, hose clamps, 3/4" hose splice, and 3/4"-5/8" hose splice. I made the extension bracket and tapped it for mounting.
Cut the Oetiker ring style clamps off existing line and remove stock tee. Reconnect hose using 3/4" splice and install new clamps. Install the reducing splice into the intercooler circuit.
Run a 5/8" inch heater hose to the reservoir.
Tighten the mounting bolt on the reservoir. I put a thin rubber washer under the fender washer to help protect the surface and painted the stainless washer black to blend in better. Add coolant, run the pump, and take for a drive to test.
Here's the wire I grabbed for switched power to act as the trigger on the relay I installed for always on pump operations. It was a pain in the butt to find but that wire goes to a relay stuffed in the corner of the fuse box. There might be other options but this worked well for me.
No IAT logging done before and after splitting the circuit since I was going to do it anyway for the new HE. I plan to log temps with this setup and then after I install the HE.
Pics of course....
Here are the components for splitting the circuit. Reservoir, mounting bracket, hose clamps, 3/4" hose splice, and 3/4"-5/8" hose splice. I made the extension bracket and tapped it for mounting.
Cut the Oetiker ring style clamps off existing line and remove stock tee. Reconnect hose using 3/4" splice and install new clamps. Install the reducing splice into the intercooler circuit.
Run a 5/8" inch heater hose to the reservoir.
Tighten the mounting bolt on the reservoir. I put a thin rubber washer under the fender washer to help protect the surface and painted the stainless washer black to blend in better. Add coolant, run the pump, and take for a drive to test.
Here's the wire I grabbed for switched power to act as the trigger on the relay I installed for always on pump operations. It was a pain in the butt to find but that wire goes to a relay stuffed in the corner of the fuse box. There might be other options but this worked well for me.
Last edited by BrianS; Apr 8, 2015 at 12:01 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
All parts inlcuding HE, CM30 pump, relay, wiring, plumbing, hoses, fittings, and reservoir came to less than $750. The HE itself was $495. It willl have mounting tabs and -12AN fittings welded on as well. If the installations goes nice and smooth I'll be glad provide contact info since they'll have the plans already stored in their CAD department. Easy to replicate.
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From: In a box
W211 E55
All parts inlcuding HE, CM30 pump, relay, wiring, plumbing, hoses, fittings, and reservoir came to less than $750. The HE itself was $495. It willl have mounting tabs and -12AN fittings welded on as well. If the installations goes nice and smooth I'll be glad provide contact info since they'll have the plans already stored in their CAD department. Easy to replicate.
Thanks !
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
I haven't seen that one in person, but I liked this one because the outlet came out of the bottom at an angle which was essential in clearing the idler pulley. This reservoir and bracket was OE for a Saab 9-5. If the BMW one will fit then that's a fine choice too. The one thing I did want to make sure of was that the reservoir be thermoplastic since radiant heat is so high under the hood. Aluminum got too hot to touch.
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E55
I haven't seen that one in person, but I liked this one because the outlet came out of the bottom at an angle which was essential in clearing the idler pulley. This reservoir and bracket was OE for a Saab 9-5. If the BMW one will fit then that's a fine choice too. The one thing I did want to make sure of was that the reservoir be thermoplastic since radiant heat is so high under the hood. Aluminum got too hot to touch.
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very nice!
it's time to get our E55's into the real world prices. Paying $2k+ for an secondary IC and pump is way too much.
Code3smith (c32 member) and I are working on a HE replacement.. bigger HE with a better core design. (more capacity and better coolant distribution)
I should have my unit installed this friday and I will also take readings for ITA before and after.
I do have the CM30 pump already.. so we will see if we see a drop to make the product feasibible.
it's time to get our E55's into the real world prices. Paying $2k+ for an secondary IC and pump is way too much.
Code3smith (c32 member) and I are working on a HE replacement.. bigger HE with a better core design. (more capacity and better coolant distribution)
I should have my unit installed this friday and I will also take readings for ITA before and after.
I do have the CM30 pump already.. so we will see if we see a drop to make the product feasibible.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 9
From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
I couldn't see the pics but sounds good to me. Multiple ways to skin this cat. The Saab reservoir was about $65. I'm not sure how they compare in size if that even matters since it's only a reservoir. Guess you could fill it full of shaved ice prior to a run....like an ethylene glycol snowcone.
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No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
I am still not 100% convinced a split circuit is the way to go ..... you might have cooler temps initially but your total water volume is a fraction of what it was with a linked circuit, bleeding the system is also more difficult.
The other queestion which I am not sure how it translets is the system pressure... the Motor circuit will clearly be under pretty high pressure and not sure how this affects the linked I/C circuit but perhaps it slows the flow down and mbe thats why the bosch pump suffers...
The split circuit may have less pressure (does it?) and puts less strain on the motor ... but what cools better? (assuming the coolant temp is the same)
A higher pressure system or a lower pressure system? Or is there no difference?
Am I being a complete tool imagining that a higher pressure system will have a greater capacity to carry heat ???
Also is water in a pressurised system a better conductor of heat at all?
I also think if you are using a Evosport located H/E then you are OK splitting the circuit as engine cooling is not starved. Using a H/E like Finny splitting the circuit reduces the effective cooling to the motor so I would be less inclined to split the circuit in this application.
If you not finished the project yet it may be worthwhile to install a valve that allows the circuit to be run split or linked. At the very least you will be able to bleed the system in open mode and run the car in closed mode. Just my 2c.
The other queestion which I am not sure how it translets is the system pressure... the Motor circuit will clearly be under pretty high pressure and not sure how this affects the linked I/C circuit but perhaps it slows the flow down and mbe thats why the bosch pump suffers...
The split circuit may have less pressure (does it?) and puts less strain on the motor ... but what cools better? (assuming the coolant temp is the same)
A higher pressure system or a lower pressure system? Or is there no difference?
Am I being a complete tool imagining that a higher pressure system will have a greater capacity to carry heat ???
Also is water in a pressurised system a better conductor of heat at all?
I also think if you are using a Evosport located H/E then you are OK splitting the circuit as engine cooling is not starved. Using a H/E like Finny splitting the circuit reduces the effective cooling to the motor so I would be less inclined to split the circuit in this application.
If you not finished the project yet it may be worthwhile to install a valve that allows the circuit to be run split or linked. At the very least you will be able to bleed the system in open mode and run the car in closed mode. Just my 2c.
Last edited by stevebez; Oct 17, 2007 at 05:33 AM.
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From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
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2005 e55AMG
So other than that "t" fitting, the pump, intercooler and heat exchanger are isolated from the radiator and waterpump?
Seems like it would need to have a spot to re-enter into the main cooling system.
Intercooler(under sc)->Pump->Heat Exchanger->Intercooler(under sc)? Thats it?
I guess I'd just expect to need another line...or if we do a remote/trunk mount cell run a send and return line...ideally feeding directly into the intercooler and then using the heat exchanger as an aftercooler on it's way back to the trunk. Thoughts? Am I way off?
Seems like it would need to have a spot to re-enter into the main cooling system.
Intercooler(under sc)->Pump->Heat Exchanger->Intercooler(under sc)? Thats it?
I guess I'd just expect to need another line...or if we do a remote/trunk mount cell run a send and return line...ideally feeding directly into the intercooler and then using the heat exchanger as an aftercooler on it's way back to the trunk. Thoughts? Am I way off?
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
It's a trip isn't it? Just the T Fitting and she is separated.
Trunk res has been one of my favorite mods just because the car stuggles so badly with heat.
Not to mention I watched Chiromikey pack it with ice and blow off an 11.3 while most of us with similiar mods were near 12's.
Amazing too, tub was just PACKED full of ice and he runs the super pass, comes back and she is pretty warm and all gone.
Like a little German Volcano the 5.5.
Trunk res has been one of my favorite mods just because the car stuggles so badly with heat.
Not to mention I watched Chiromikey pack it with ice and blow off an 11.3 while most of us with similiar mods were near 12's.
Amazing too, tub was just PACKED full of ice and he runs the super pass, comes back and she is pretty warm and all gone.
Like a little German Volcano the 5.5.
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So other than that "t" fitting, the pump, intercooler and heat exchanger are isolated from the radiator and waterpump?
Seems like it would need to have a spot to re-enter into the main cooling system.
Intercooler(under sc)->Pump->Heat Exchanger->Intercooler(under sc)? Thats it?
I guess I'd just expect to need another line...or if we do a remote/trunk mount cell run a send and return line...ideally feeding directly into the intercooler and then using the heat exchanger as an aftercooler on it's way back to the trunk. Thoughts? Am I way off?
Seems like it would need to have a spot to re-enter into the main cooling system.
Intercooler(under sc)->Pump->Heat Exchanger->Intercooler(under sc)? Thats it?
I guess I'd just expect to need another line...or if we do a remote/trunk mount cell run a send and return line...ideally feeding directly into the intercooler and then using the heat exchanger as an aftercooler on it's way back to the trunk. Thoughts? Am I way off?
This is one reason that separating the systems does not make much of a difference. You have to increase capacity and put the new reservoir in circulation for the increased capacity.
FWIW, The C32, SLK32, and SL55 all have a return or bleed line from the supercharger cooling circuit to the coolant reservoir so they are not only self bleeding but there is a significant amount of mixing between the engine and HE cooling circuits.
This makes me wonder if MB didn't realize that the E55 was prone to heat soak issues during testing and eliminate the return line.
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F-250
I know this is an old thread, and the DIY is great. But What If:
The BMW P/S resevoir has 2 connectors. What if the 5/8" was connected as shown feeding the Heat Exchanger circuit on the "IN" side, and a smaller 3/8" hose was connected to a T on the "Out" circuit?
This would allow the small res to be part of the circuit, but with reduced flow. Running the CM 30 through the resevoir would certainly be too much, but by only connecting the return with a 3/8", you would at least reap the benifits of having the extra 20oz circulating. The overall flow would not be impaceted, as most water bypasses the T + the recirculated water would ensure actual flow through H/E would be identical.
Any benift to this?
I was talking to a well known tuner, and he said: "Split the system with the BMW part, and when you can, add the truck res." He stated that even with the system split using the method described within this thread is better than leaving stock (with new HE installation)
The BMW P/S resevoir has 2 connectors. What if the 5/8" was connected as shown feeding the Heat Exchanger circuit on the "IN" side, and a smaller 3/8" hose was connected to a T on the "Out" circuit?
This would allow the small res to be part of the circuit, but with reduced flow. Running the CM 30 through the resevoir would certainly be too much, but by only connecting the return with a 3/8", you would at least reap the benifits of having the extra 20oz circulating. The overall flow would not be impaceted, as most water bypasses the T + the recirculated water would ensure actual flow through H/E would be identical.
Any benift to this?
I was talking to a well known tuner, and he said: "Split the system with the BMW part, and when you can, add the truck res." He stated that even with the system split using the method described within this thread is better than leaving stock (with new HE installation)
Last edited by Bramage; Aug 24, 2010 at 10:43 PM.
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2004 E55, 1997 E320 "Sold"
I am not sure I follow 100% because I do not know this stuff to well, but recently when I did my set-up the one connector is used and the other is sealed off. This was with the split cooling and added heat exchanger. Hope that helps.
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2006 E55
