DINANTRONICS Stage 3 (STD & CP Models) / High Performance Heat Exchanger

[FLOSS M]

Arrived today
Updates to follow after install!
Special thanks to Matt Bean and Thompson BMW

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by FLOSS M

Arrived today

How did you get yours so fast? Does that mean Dinan has started shipping the first run? Jeez, my dealer wouldn't even place the order, I had to order directly through Dinan.

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by MNoob

How did you get yours so fast? Does that mean Dinan has started shipping the first run? Jeez, my dealer wouldn't even place the order, I had to order directly through Dinan.

There were a few pre-production units (less than 10) that went out for SEMA cars, other advertising/marketing ventures, and a few dealers that pre-ordered the units in bulk.

Still on track for the first week of November release for the actual production units. If we can ship them earlier we most definitely will.

[FLOSS M]

Looking good ! Very straight forward install.
Update - I am very impressed with the increased power, very noticeable. Highly recommended the upgrade!!!

[hova00]

Originally Posted by FLOSS M

Looking good ! Very straight forward install.

in for your feedback. I was trying to get Stage 3 installed before my track day this weekend but Matt said prolly not going to happen since it was last minute so looks like I'll wait until later this year.

[WestBankM4]

Yup, looks like Dinan still has plans for the F8x chassis which is a good thing. Glad I waited on any performance/engine upgrades, just going to go with the Dinan S3 towards Christmas and knock it all out in one fell swoop. Hopefully the S4 when it's released soon after.

[FLOSS M]

Picked up the car last night - very noticeable power increase from Stage 2!!! Very happy so far. Special thanks to Matt Bean and Thompson BMW

[BitchinManWheels]

Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering

Dimensions: Overall = 23.13" x 17.25" x 2.38", Core = 21.00" x 16.41" x 1.75"
Fin/Tube: 41 coolant rows (2 tubes per row, so 82 total tubes), 42 ambient channels (will not divulge fin specs)
Brazing: TIG Welded

No. Percentages are all about the words tied to those percentages. We quote our volume as an increase in CORE volume. AWE on the other hand is quoting in terms of FLUID volume (includes the tanks I assume). I have asked engineering to crunch the numbers for fluid volume but they were unsure if they took a volume measurement of the stock tanks. From pictures it appears our tanks are also the largest on the market but that is just me winging it from pictures and not based on actual hard facts/measurements.

There are quite a number of heat exchangers on the market if you look hard enough. In comparison to those available in general:

1. We are not as thick as some (short by a 2.5 mm at most) but again that was done intentionally in an effort to keep flow to the radiator itself adequate.
2. Dinan is the widest core/unit on the market.
3. Height of all of those available is basically the same.
4. We use rubber mounts for vibration isolation and are the only one to do so that I can tell.
5. Dinan is one of only a few that use machined connections for the lines themselves. No cutting of the factory lines for slip fits or the like.
6. Dinan is arguably the most cost effective variant on the market.
7. Dinan does not offer a screen or guard as an option like most of the others.

It looks much bigger and thicker than stock of course. Any problems with getting enough air to the radiator behind the heat exchanger? Did you see any increase in coolant temps with heavy driving? Did you do any hot weather testing? I live in Arizona and tracking in 115 degree heat will certainly stress this system. I don't want to get on the track and over heat after a few laps like the Z06 drivers!
The factory cooling is great! Having the temp hold at 180 with hard driving all day is incredible and I don't want to hinder my engine's cooling abilities.
On the other hand, consistently cooler air going into the engine will also help keep everything cool

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by BitchinManWheels

It looks much bigger and thicker than stock of course. Any problems with getting enough air to the radiator behind the heat exchanger? Did you see any increase in coolant temps with heavy driving? Did you do any hot weather testing? I live in Arizona and tracking in 115 degree heat will certainly stress this system. I don't want to get on the track and over heat after a few laps like the Z06 drivers!
The factory cooling is great! Having the temp hold at 180 with hard driving all day is incredible and I don't want to hinder my engine's cooling abilities.
On the other hand, consistently cooler air going into the engine will also help keep everything cool

Send me a PM to remind me but on Monday when I am back in the office I can post a few of the graphs that I have in relation to various temps.

I can say for certain we never tracked the development cars in 115 degree heat on a track. Mid 90's; yes, but not 110+ high.

Dinan does a variety of testing on the products (altitude, heat, endurance, track, etc). Being based in California it makes it possible to do all these various tests in various environments all under a few hours away.

With a maxxed out heat exchanger (depth) we saw the flow did impede the radiator a fair share which is why we backed off the thickness to allow better flow from the heat exhanger to the radiator. By default the less space in between the two coolers means the radiator is not as efficient at stock. We ended up where we did with a slightly thinner than max heat exchanger as that was deemed the best of both worlds point where the cooling gains from the heat exchanger was offsetting the radiator cooling loss and then some for maximum performance benefit.

[Dinan_Engineering]

Good news for those that are on the list for the first production batch of heat exchangers....

In an unprecedented event in the automotive aftermarket we received the first shipment of cores 2 weeks EARLY! So, we will begin shipping the first round of heat exchangers today and continuing into next week as they are kitted. Hope you all enjoy stage 3 / heat exchanger power and reliability.

[chrisjguzman]

Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering

Good news for those that are on the list for the first production batch of heat exchangers....

In an unprecedented event in the automotive aftermarket we received the first shipment of cores 2 weeks EARLY! So, we will begin shipping the first round of heat exchangers today and continuing into next week as they are kitted. Hope you all enjoy stage 3 / heat exchanger power and reliability.

Steve Dinan Auto Tech Mountain View needs one of the first batch

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by chrisjguzman

Steve Dinan Auto Tech Mountain View needs one of the first batch

Looks like they have 2 in the queue - 1 early and 1 late. Couldn't tell you which yours is though.

[MNoob]

Mine was shipped today. Yeah baby.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by MNoob

Mine was shipped today. Yeah baby.

Arrived today

Too bad my dealer sucks :

This is the fourth time I've tried to engage them on buying something or having work done, and the fourth time they've blown me off. Actually fifth if you include the car.

Dinan, your dealers/distributors are failing you...

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by MNoob

Arrived today

Too bad my dealer sucks :

This is the fourth time I've tried to engage them on buying something or having work done, and the fourth time they've blown me off. Actually fifth if you include the car.

Dinan, your dealers/distributors are failing you...

PM me the dealer if you don't mind.

[brianplee]

Just got my heat exchanger and Stage 3 installed at Bavarian Professionals in Berkeley. Feels very strong! Thanks Dinan!

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by brianplee

Just got my heat exchanger and Stage 3 installed at Bavarian Professionals in Berkeley. Feels very strong! Thanks Dinan!

How much was the labor?

[velocitate]

No the Dinan website states that you must have the heat exchanger with the Stage 3 tune. I guess 3k for the tune and another 700 for the heat exchanger.

Originally Posted by Figurka

Can I run Stage 3 without High Performance Heat Exchanger? Do I still have more HP than stage 2?

Thanks

[velocitate]

OH NO !!! I recently bought a Dinan Stage 2. I acted prematurely and now I want the Stage 3 plus heat exchanger. I wish there was an upgrade program for Dinan customers. wink wink Dinan lol

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by velocitate

OH NO !!! I recently bought a Dinan Stage 2. I acted prematurely and now I want the Stage 3 plus heat exchanger. I wish there was an upgrade program for Dinan customers. wink wink Dinan lol

Just bring it into an authorized dealer and they can upgrade the unit to stage 3 for the difference in price between stages (+ associated hard parts / heat exhanger). Easy Peasy.

[velocitate]

I had no idea. I will try to contact my dealer next!

Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering

Just bring it into an authorized dealer and they can upgrade the unit to stage 3 for the difference in price between stages (+ associated hard parts / heat exhanger). Easy Peasy.

[brianplee]

Originally Posted by Figurka

How much was the labor?

3.5 hrs for the heat exchanger, 0.5 hrs for the Dinantronics update from Stage 2 to Stage 3.