Engine conversion

[k69camaroz28]

Hey everyone I am planning to add another e 30 ix and I would like to do a mid 90's m3 or just 325i engine swap... Could anyone tell me how possible this is to complete with the all wheel drive system. My car is a Manuel Trans I would probably need to buy a new Trans which have been used with this type of engine? Also would it be possible to do this while keeping all the on board computer functions intact with the new ECU? ANY INFO IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!! I have the shop and all necessary experience to do something like this I am just wondering if it has been done and how possible it is. also if anyone has any sites that deal with such things please post them thank you!!!... This is gonna be nice when its done!!

[Moofles]

iX? don't they only come in 325iX form anyway? or do you mean m50 swap (mid 90's 325i)...i'll assume that

i think it can be done but i think the transmission is a problem on high power cars, try BEN (someone post the address i can't remember it) there used to be a guy with a twin turbo 325iX so he can address power probs.

oh! oh! i recall something about sump being different (compared to normal e30 325i's), or some such thing - don't know if it will pose any problems or not.

[k69camaroz28]

Yea ix's stoped making after 91 and i wasn't sure what engine was normally used in this swap and yes there is something diffrent with the ix's the strut towers are farther back.... any info on such conversions would be very healpfull so i know what i am getting into plus and pics or web sites would be great!!!

[Moofles]

k k you twisted my arm - try asking on this forum
http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/forum/technical.pl

[Simon13]

IX's drivetrain can't handle the power of something like an S50 engine, stick to a 2.7 and leave it there. Got any rear calipers spare mate?

[k69camaroz28]

nope none to spare where can i pick up one of those engines and what are the specs? has anyone tried the s50 engine or is it just speculation? Is there anything i can do to strenghten the drivetrain?/???? Thanks a lot for you help and keep the info comin please!!

[Moofles]

i'd suggest also http://forums.bimmerforums.com

american forum so lots of iX's, and just a generally huge forum anyway.

they'll be able to help with the drivetrain issue, but iirc it's lots of Ԛ£Ã”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£ to do anything with (i mean, for a start you're doubling it compared to a rwd e30!)

for a 2.7 - you can make one yourself, it's made from the m20 so exactly the same size which means direct bolt-in with no problems, which is good!

[Simon13]

for a cheap 2.7 you need a m20 2.5 and eta 2.7 engine from an E28 5 series. Use the crankshaft from the eta engine and hey a 2.7 with more than 130bhp. Well thats the jist off it.

The drivetrain is quite fragile and simply can't hack it, plus think how much power you lose through that drivetrain? unless you need a 4x4 of course.

[Moofles]

the guy on BEN with a twin turbo iX needs the 4x4 he has about 400hp!

[Simon13]

i'm only remembering from reading it somewhere!

[Moofles]

twas just saying

[k69camaroz28]

ya i do definitly need the awd.