E30 Zone

Ive juts bought a 320 cab but its had a 325 conversion...apparently...however, it doesn't feel nowhere near as quick as it should be...1) how do i know this has defo had the conversion

2) how do i get more power out of it?

Any help/advise is much appreciated.

Cheers

Have a look for a number somewhere on the head, not sure where on the head but I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction on here.

885 will be a 2.5 engine.

731 will be 2.0/2.3 engine.

Best way to tell if it's a 2.5 or 2.0 is to attach one end of a piece of string to the skin of a rice pudding and the other end of the string to the towing eye - and then drive off. A 320i wont be able to shift it.

No do NOT do the above. unless you want to loose your towing eye.

Theo325 wrote:Best way to tell if it's a 2.5 or 2.0 is to attach one end of a piece of string to the skin of a rice pudding and the other end of the string to the towing eye - and then drive off. A 320i wont be able to shift it.

you been driving the wrong 320 then

how i tell if its a 320i or 325i is listen to the engine, in high rpm the 320i's seem to scream at ya where the 325i's sound more grunty

watch some vids on youtube you will see what i mean

I think 2.5's have a round circle moulded into the head just above the exhaust manifold cyl 5 ? should say 2.5/2.7 on it if not try the rice pudding method

i dont know if it matters really, what difference will it make?

320i 129hp
325i 171hp

what difference will it make?

I own a 325 and a 320 there is a major difference in power although i like cruising in the 320 the 325 is a bit more fun

Flozman wrote:i dont know if it matters really, what difference will it make?

quite a lot. a 320 is about the level of an 'is' whereas a 325 is far better.

All ur help is much appreciated, i just met up with a member who said it was a 2.5 from the body throttle, coudn't see the writing on the side as it was getting a little dark. So how do i get more power?

So how do i get more power?

M50 transplant

correct me if im wrong but other then the little 2.5 stamped on the head which you might have to bend the exhaust gasket heat shield out of the way to see but wouldnt a 320i have a side mounted distributor with the assembly under the intake manifold and very long spark leads and the 325i motor would have the camshaft driven assembly so a big orange cap on the front of the engine infornt of the rocker cover with much shorter leads, hope i helped mate.

fuzzy wrote:

Flozman wrote:i dont know if it matters really, what difference will it make?

quite a lot. a 320 is about the level of an 'is' whereas a 325 is far better.

you trying to start a fight there mate, just getting the popcorn ready

Aiello, that seems helpful ...will have to check it out in the morning now...cant remember an orange cap though ... Thanks

E30123 wrote:All ur help is much appreciated, i just met up with a member who said it was a 2.5 from the body throttle, coudn't see the writing on the side as it was getting a little dark. So how do i get more power?

unless you turbo or supercharge you wont see big power increases. you could spend hundreds and not see much more than 180bhp .the 3.5 engine swap is favoured around these parts with 218bhp straight out the box

Ah, i was thinking they were 192 bhp....i was thinking of the e36...i think that explains why i thought it was lacking power! plus the fact that i was used to a 200sx with about 220bhp

Aiello wrote:correct me if im wrong but other then the little 2.5 stamped on the head which you might have to bend the exhaust gasket heat shield out of the way to see but wouldnt a 320i have a side mounted distributor with the assembly under the intake manifold and very long spark leads and the 325i motor would have the camshaft driven assembly so a big orange cap on the front of the engine infornt of the rocker cover with much shorter leads, hope i helped mate.

Later 320i was Motronic also so the side-mounted dizzy only applies to pre-88 L-Jetronic type.

68hp per litre is hardly anything to write home about but if your not under any time pressure have ago at overhauling the engine.

Start with the bottom end check the Crank is in good nick and the journals are smooth replace the bigend shells,
then give the pistons a good clean and check for damage and get them on some digital scales i like to make sure they all have an indentical mass and if can get away with taking away a few grams i will. Fit new piston rings, re-hone the bores (important).

Move on to the head give it a chemical bath give the cumbustion chambers a good polish, replace valves add some Schrick Valve Springs (single), install driveable 272/272 cam, check the rockers are in good shape.

Bolt everything back together with NEW head bolts and dont spare the pennies with a Chinese head gasket set.

Replace the waterpump and all perished breather pipes, buy a big bore throttle body, a good panel air filter, non-Belgium made 6 branch manifold and book a session down for mapping a new ecu to run Super unleaded.

Attention to detail is a must, be anal about everything. Or like me you could just buy a Induction Kit and a power boost valve and not race Corsa's just incase you get shamed