Help!!!conversion decisions

Post Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:50 am

Guys help!

Was plannin a conversion later this year to replace my ickle 318i engine. It now turns out that I may need to get round to it sooner as my engine may not last till then.

Was originally plannin to get a solid and reliable 325i engine that I could have uprated/tuned and prepared on the side along with all the other bits required while running the 1.8 then eventually fit the 2.5. Even thinkin bout other engines that are a bit more unique to have in an E30 such as a 2.7, or E36 engine, even a 3.5 but the cars gonna be my daily drive.

But due to the fact that this may have to happen sooner than I had planned, I may not have enough cash saved up or time to do the above which is why I'm now thinkin bout just doing a basic 325i conversion which I can uprate at a later date.

What would you say are the benefits of converting my 318i to a 325i as opposed to just buying a 325i?

For me there's the sentimental attachment to the car (I've had afew cars but this was the first that even had a rev counter!), I know what's wrong with it, I know whats right with it, money and time spent on it will never get back if I sell it, I like the thought of havin a sleeper - 325i that looks like a 318i, having to go about finding the right 325i for me. Have recentley changed the running gear to iS running gear so it has discs all round now, as well as few other mods and new parts.

Against conversion - insurance costs, probably more insurance friendly to insure a straight up 325i rather than a conversion, everything's done already in terms of changing parts etc, could swap good parts I currently have e.g poly bushes, uprated front discs, all red rear lights (good DIY job), decent bulbs etc etc

I generally want to keep my car, she's not exactly a minter but aint bad (bar the engine). So I want some other decent reasons for the conversion. That's kinda why when originally thinkin bout a conversion I thought I'd go for something like a 2.7 or an E36 engine to make the car a bit more unique and worth having a conversion. Not just a 325i, even though I'm sure a 325i is great. Do you get what I mean?

Cheers!!!

Post Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:21 pm

Anyone? I know its a lot to read but honestly its not too technical or anything.

Post Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:41 pm

Try HIC for your insurance and stick a 2.5 in from Jonb or HartgeH27(Ian) if you can afford the insurance.

Also get a quote for the other engines you fancy like the 3.5

I take it you are fairly young or not a lot of NCB ?

Post Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:56 pm

Turned 23 last week, and come Easter I'll have 4 years NCB. Fingers crossed till then I dont do anything stupid whilst in the car!

Have had to have relatively low powered cars coz since righting off my first car, insurance hasn't exactly been cheap.

I'll have a word with some people at Ace to see what they've gone for, maybe even get a ride