do88: Full Cooling Kit review and install notes

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by Ximian

I’ve got a weird issue for the oil cooler install. I replaced that plastic piece behind the mounting point but the T45 bolt keeps going past so it’s not secure the passenger side. Any tips? Do I need to modify the plastic cover behind the oil cooler?

Use a larger washer to fit on top of the rubber grommet.

[Razmig]

Nice cooler

[Propoflurane]

Sub’d

[DukeofAlexandria]

Does anyone have a contact for do88?

Website says they are out of stock of the 'Big Pack BMW M3" package item. Just wondering when they are getting that back in or should I just contact them directly myself?

Thanks!

-Duke

[DukeofAlexandria]

I just looked up old threads and finally found some contacts, sorry to everyone for bring the thread back up, appreciate it!

-Duke

[SYT_Shadow]

no worries, this is a good reference thread for do88 cooling goodies!

[E92.88]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

For the entire kit, there were two necessary modifications

For the water radiator, a plastic tab from the surround had to be cut. A tiny, tiny piece.

For the DCT cooler, I had to modify the inside of the wheel well to add additional 'slats' to let hot air out. No one cares as my wheel liner is already in pieces from running wide tires!

The rest was completely PnP. Quite impressive

Hi, would you be able to show a photo of “ a plastic tab from the surround” that need to be cut ? Thanks .

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by E92.88

Hi, would you be able to show a photo of “ a plastic tab from the surround” that need to be cut ? Thanks .

I posted all the photos I took in the first post

[M43S7RO]

You can download the installation guides from their website, it has pics of what you need to file down.

Originally Posted by E92.88

Hi, would you be able to show a photo of “ a plastic tab from the surround” that need to be cut ? Thanks .

[alpine2530]

This is a very good reference although it isn’t a step by step guide. How does the trim around the surround look like?

Also, be aware that if your car is from the earlier production, you’ll need to trim your oil lines as the male connections of the earlier production are longer.

I’ll be installing the kit without the transmission oil cooler soon and this reference has been really helpful.

[DukeofAlexandria]

Hi everyone,

First and foremost, big shoutout to SYT_Shadow for replying to me and helping out as best he could. He installed his years ago and I reached out to discuss some fitment issues and he was quick to respond.

I'd like to discuss the do88 Big Pack; more specifically the do88 radiator and fitment issues.

I've been installing my Harrop Kit, the do88 big pack kit, and refreshing various items (water pump, thermostat, idle tensioners, various hoses) over the last week each evening when I have time and last night I started into the last piece of the big pack kit, the radiator. I ordered the big pack during black friday of last year (2021) and noticed that the pictures on some of the websites; Autocorture, do88's own website, and some of Shadow's pictures are different from what I received.

The installation was the biggest pain and I marred one of the fins and now need to do a leak down test to ensure I didn't pin hole puncher the aluminum. I ended up needing to remove the A/C condenser screw in the top left (looking at engine) to get another 1/2" of wiggle room, the P/S lines and push them down out of the way, the hose heater return pipe (one that goes to the tank) and FINALLY was able to get it in.

That's not the end though, because even with it in place, it STILL did not like the curved plastic housing round the top where you screw it in. The brackets needed to effectively be slowly pushed in, and sheared/shaved off a small amount of plastic to get it into the over all radiator plastic bracket. Now that it's in, it's fine, but I still have a pressure leak down test to see if I screwed up.

I don't know if the 'newer' batch is ever so slightly different from the original, but a huge amount of effort needed to be done before it would even THINK about fitting into the old spot. Please be aware of these fitment issues and extra careful when cornering it into position. It WILL go, but a lot of other areas need to be manipulated in order for it to fit into this spot.

This concludes my Ted Talk, thanks!

-Duke

[SYT_Shadow]

I'm glad it worked out, and I also hope they fix this fitment issue in the new radiator

For the one reliable cooling solution we have... we need it to fit properly!

[DukeofAlexandria]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to give some updates pertaining to the do88 big pack kit and my experience. As some of you may know, I have been in the middle of installing the Harrop kit along with the do88 kit (all 4 coolers they offer) and not everything has aligned or fit as perfect as an OEM part. Before I get into this I did want to give a big shoutout to Isak and do88. Isak has worked with me in trying to ensure I had all my questions answered and I tried to stay as neutral in my above post as possible. I simply think that small variances over time have occurred with manufacturing processes and these things happen and we (or shops who install) will need to adjust slightly.

My biggest issue thus far was the Harrop intercooler lines being in the way of the do88 DCT upgraded cooler Carbon Fiber plenum. This caused major issues and I was really trying to work out a few solutions that I spoke of on the Harrop thread.

The input feed from the intercooler reservoir with the Harrop kit was a hard aluminum pipe. I tried to bend it using a 1" Pittsburgh bender, then a Rein bender and after some time, I realized that ultimately I needed it to be another 1-2" longer for this to work where it would go UNDER the CF plenum to the intercooler.

I went ahead and found high pressure brass fittings, some high temp, high pressure heater core hosing and simply went about creating a new route/configuration with the hosing instead of using the hardened aluminum piping. It worked out pretty well and as you can see from the before/after pictures that the CF plenum now fits perfectly and the hose works out fantastic. Unless someone from Harrop or anyone else gives me a technical/engineering reason for the hardened aluminum pipe to be used, I'll consider this matter closed for my needs. I believe Harrop uses it because it's tight tolerances near the A/C pulley and they want to ensure you don't burn/rub a hole into a hose. Zip ties and my routing have ensured that won't happen though.

Harrop didn't have do88 items in mind when they created their kit and vise versa for do88, so not really a fault on either of these companies and 95% of the fit and finish have been pretty spot on for the most part. Big shoutout to SYT_Shadow and DrFerry for the support, well wishes, and interest in the build project. It's been a journey, but the do88 kit I think is going to help drastically in the summer heat with the Harrop installed, thanks everyone!

-Duke

[SYT_Shadow]

All is well that ends well Duke, I'm glad it all worked out!

And yeah, i would also want the do88 kit if I were supercharged!

[DrFerry]

Kudos. Necessity is the mother of invention. Where there's a will there's a way. It all looks professional and well done. Nice job.

[RM3NIAN]

Looks like the do88 dealer prices went up today for anybody who was considering their cooling products. Last I checked autocouture was offering them at the best price

[DukeofAlexandria]

@DRLane M43S7RO worked out pretty well, I did both sides and actually bought another roll of the stuff. Anything ever happens I can just do it over again so not a big deal and should work out well when I do final bumper install tomorrow.

Big thanks to both of you for providing input and replies to my messages about both routes, thanks gents!

-Duke

[racingmonkey]

Sorry too piggy back on this thread, but did anyone have any issues with the upper radiator hose not being properly aligned? The issue I'm having is that the nipple to the expansion tank is extremely close to the fan shroud and it makes it so I can't connect the hose to it without it being pressed against the shroud. I'm confident that the shroud is in place correctly. I bought the bigpak back in Nov of 2021 and didn't get to installing the radiator till now, so I'm not sure that the place I purchased the kit from will be able to do anything now. Any suggestions?

E5D0D639-3A0D-429E-A28A-556271AC4733_1_105_c by toptierrider, on Flickr

[DukeofAlexandria]

Originally Posted by racingmonkey

Sorry too piggy back on this thread, but did anyone have any issues with the upper radiator hose not being properly aligned? The issue I'm having is that the nipple to the expansion tank is extremely close to the fan shroud and it makes it so I can't connect the hose to it without it being pressed against the shroud. I'm confident that the shroud is in place correctly. I bought the bigpak back in Nov of 2021 and didn't get to installing the radiator till now, so I'm not sure that the place I purchased the kit from will be able to do anything now. Any suggestions?

E5D0D639-3A0D-429E-A28A-556271AC4733_1_105_c by toptierrider, on Flickr

It should fit, albeit tightly. Recheck your fan shroud, radiator alignment and make sure you've "clipped" the bracket per do88's instructions.

Additionally, while I did not buy the do88 hose kit, that hose looks double wrapped and not squishy/bendable at all. I'd suggest getting a regular 1/4-3/8 hose (can't remember size) and use that for the first few inches and then connect back up to the hardened overflow line.

It's not critical (it's overflow) so if it's SLIGHTLY kinked it shouldn't be that big of an issue.

-Duke