N54 Upgraded Aluminum Expansion Tank

Tim603 · 06-15-2017, 09:52 AM

Has anyone see any upgraded / aluminum expansion tanks out there for our cars? With all these hot side inlets relocating the expansion tank I would think more people would be in the market for a nicer looking/ little bit smaller tank to make relocation a little easier. Maybe even designed to fit a few different locations?

Anyone seen anything like this?

Update: SWB makes a nice tank for $350
https://www.swbperformance.com/expansiontank/

Tim603 · 06-23-2017, 09:37 AM

I'm guessing this is probably a pipe dream.

With the surge in N54 owners I bet there would be a market for this product, however it probably wouldn't be cheap due to the oem design. I wonder if I could have one custom made...

AlpineBoost · 06-23-2017, 11:10 AM

Yes, Southwest Bimmers sells them. I believe they first introduced them about 6 months ago and iirc they come in silver or black. Also believe the dude from Fab Factory makes them for them. He does some pretty impressive work.

On mobile right now but look up their instagram. Bunch of pictures on there of the tanks if you scroll through. Nice looking piece. Price last year was $450 for the kit.

Tim603 · 06-23-2017, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the storm breaks

Yes, Southwest Bimmers sells them. I believe they first introduced them about 6 months ago and iirc they come in silver or black. Also believe the dude from Fab Factory makes them for them. He does some pretty impressive work.

On mobile right now but look up their instagram. Bunch of pictures on there of the tanks if you scroll through. Nice looking piece. Price last year was $450 for the kit.

SWB tank is real nice looking! I briefly looked into the Fab Factory one and wasn't able to find anything. Let me know if you find any links or photos

https://www.swbperformance.com/expansiontank/

AlpineBoost · 06-23-2017, 11:26 AM

Glad you found it. Yeah, the Fab Factory one is the same as the SWB one. He only made them for SWB I believe. If you look up @fab_factory on Insta, you should see them somewhere on his page as well with the SWB logo.

Jklad · 06-23-2017, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim603

I'm guessing this is probably a pipe dream.

With the surge in N54 owners I bet there would be a market for this product, however it probably wouldn't be cheap due to the oem design. I wonder if I could have one custom made...

With as cheap as many n54 owners are when it comes to aftermarket parts likely not a large enough market for it lol

Faredo · 06-23-2017, 02:38 PM

probably pretty low on the mods list. I was able to use my oem tank and it looks fine. many use the D tank for a tighter fit. IMO the money is better spent fixing oil leaks and replacing coils.

SingleturboVert · 06-23-2017, 03:30 PM

For the price, I'd rather put that toward a billet VC.

Tim603 · 06-23-2017, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the storm breaks

Glad you found it. Yeah, the Fab Factory one is the same as the SWB one. He only made them for SWB I believe. If you look up @fab_factory on Insta, you should see them somewhere on his page as well with the SWB logo.

Nice, yeah that is a good looking part right there. Something to consider for the future when I run out of things to mod lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With as cheap as many n54 owners are when it comes to aftermarket parts likely not a large enough market for it lol

You know, your not wrong, however there are quite a few people dropping $$$ on these cars right now so its cool to see some pricier bespoke stuff like this

Quote:

Originally Posted by SingleturboVert

For the price, I'd rather put that toward a billet VC.

Did OCD Works come out with it yet??? I know its been in the works, no pun intended lol

Tim603 · 06-23-2017, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faredo

probably pretty low on the mods list. I was able to use my oem tank and it looks fine. many use the D tank for a tighter fit. IMO the money is better spent fixing oil leaks and replacing coils.

That is not a bad idea at all, it doesn't seem to be that much smaller though.
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33...215_ES2678690/

Jklad · 06-23-2017, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With as cheap as many n54 owners are when it comes to aftermarket parts likely not a large enough market for it lol

exactly...have you stumbled into the FS section lately? Peeps askin for a discount on $10 items.

Part-out threads be like:

Quote:

Got any used motor oil left? If so, what color is it and how much for shipping? Pics?

Jklad · 06-23-2017, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With as cheap as many n54 owners are when it comes to aftermarket parts likely not a large enough market for it lol

exactly...have you stumbled into the FS section lately? Peeps askin for a discount on $10 items.

Part-out threads be like:

Quote:

Got any used motor oil left? If so, what color is it and how much for shipping? Pics?

Wow....had no idea...and I thought the guy who visited a junkyard to tear through a totaled n54 for a measly $100 sensor and fuel line that he wasn't sure was even functioning was bad...

fatjoez · 06-24-2017, 05:04 AM

I had coolant expansion tank fail twice.

Once OEM, then aftermarket (OEM Design / OEM Alternative) replacement 1.5 years after install.

So this is probably a good idea if it's stronger / more resistant to failure

Tim603 · 06-25-2017, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatjoez

I had coolant expansion tank fail twice.

Once OEM, then aftermarket (OEM Design / OEM Alternative) replacement 1.5 years after install.

So this is probably a good idea if it's stronger / more resistant to failure

What about it failed, did it start leaking or something?

fatjoez · 07-09-2017, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim603

What about it failed, did it start leaking or something?

Leaked everywhere in engine bay dude. Couldn't even see where it was coming from but there was coolant sprayed over the whole surrounding area of the coolant tank.

Look up my profile I made a post about it with photos.
Was a real mess

weq92f · 07-09-2017, 01:09 PM

My new OEM expansion tank is still sitting in the box ( 2007 335i 107k miles ). The original is in the car, but.... I did use the bleed screw from the new unit as that was what was leaking on the original one!!!

It will fail... eventually! LOL!

-weq

NZ-M340ixDrive · 06-12-2020, 09:40 PM

I know this is an old post but is this SWB expansion tank universal or is it made for our 335i?

Tim603 · 06-18-2020, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benji335i

I know this is an old post but is this SWB expansion tank universal or is it made for our 335i?

This is specific to the E90 chassis.

I ended up picking this up and I really like it

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...tion-kit-335i/

Boosted12a · 06-19-2020, 10:38 PM

Man that's pricy. Looks like a good complete tho.

06-15-2017, 09:52 AM	#1
Tim603 Colonel 488 Rep 2,283 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: North Canton, OH iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	N54 Upgraded Aluminum Expansion Tank Has anyone see any upgraded / aluminum expansion tanks out there for our cars? With all these hot side inlets relocating the expansion tank I would think more people would be in the market for a nicer looking/ little bit smaller tank to make relocation a little easier. Maybe even designed to fit a few different locations? Anyone seen anything like this? Update: SWB makes a nice tank for $350 https://www.swbperformance.com/expansiontank/ __________________ Build Thread Last edited by Tim603; 06-23-2017 at 04:43 PM..
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06-23-2017, 09:37 AM	#2
Tim603 Colonel 488 Rep 2,283 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: North Canton, OH iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	I'm guessing this is probably a pipe dream. With the surge in N54 owners I bet there would be a market for this product, however it probably wouldn't be cheap due to the oem design. I wonder if I could have one custom made... __________________ Build Thread
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06-23-2017, 11:10 AM	#3
AlpineBoost Captain 3935 Rep 870 Posts Drives: '23 Civic Type R Join Date: May 2015 Location: GA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i E92 [8.43] 2023 Honda Civic Ty ... [0.00] 2023 Hyundai Kona N [7.50]	Yes, Southwest Bimmers sells them. I believe they first introduced them about 6 months ago and iirc they come in silver or black. Also believe the dude from Fab Factory makes them for them. He does some pretty impressive work. On mobile right now but look up their instagram. Bunch of pictures on there of the tanks if you scroll through. Nice looking piece. Price last year was $450 for the kit. Last edited by AlpineBoost; 06-23-2017 at 11:17 AM..
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06-23-2017, 11:26 AM	#5
AlpineBoost Captain 3935 Rep 870 Posts Drives: '23 Civic Type R Join Date: May 2015 Location: GA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i E92 [8.43] 2023 Honda Civic Ty ... [0.00] 2023 Hyundai Kona N [7.50]	Glad you found it. Yeah, the Fab Factory one is the same as the SWB one. He only made them for SWB I believe. If you look up @fab_factory on Insta, you should see them somewhere on his page as well with the SWB logo.
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06-23-2017, 02:38 PM	#7
Faredo Lieutenant 317 Rep 404 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (0)	probably pretty low on the mods list. I was able to use my oem tank and it looks fine. many use the D tank for a tighter fit. IMO the money is better spent fixing oil leaks and replacing coils. __________________ Mods related to trouble shooting posts: Stock Turbos, MHD OTS V7 stage 2+ 93 oct, VRSF Downpipes, VRSF Relocated inlets, CTS Turbo 7" Intercooler, Tial BOV with upgraded line 5.56mm, index 12 injectors, A/T OEM Flash.
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06-23-2017, 03:30 PM	#8
SingleturboVert Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 202 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	For the price, I'd rather put that toward a billet VC.
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06-24-2017, 05:04 AM	#13
fatjoez student 231 Rep 911 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bermuda Triangle iTrader: (0)	I had coolant expansion tank fail twice. Once OEM, then aftermarket (OEM Design / OEM Alternative) replacement 1.5 years after install. So this is probably a good idea if it's stronger / more resistant to failure
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07-09-2017, 01:09 PM	#16
weq92f Private 9 Rep 60 Posts Drives: '07 E90 335 6mt Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: dallas iTrader: (0)	My new OEM expansion tank is still sitting in the box ( 2007 335i 107k miles ). The original is in the car, but.... I did use the bleed screw from the new unit as that was what was leaking on the original one!!! It will fail... eventually! LOL! -weq
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06-12-2020, 09:40 PM	#17
NZ-M340ixDrive Private First Class 28 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Auckland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [0.00]	I know this is an old post but is this SWB expansion tank universal or is it made for our 335i?
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06-19-2020, 10:38 PM	#19
Boosted12a Second Lieutenant 69 Rep 210 Posts Drives: BMW 335i x Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	Man that's pricy. Looks like a good complete tho.
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