E30 Zone

how shall i take the engine out of my 325i whats the first step what tools do you need how do i dismantle my bonett so it comes of and do i need to unbolt my prop to take the whole engine and gearbox out?

sorry for asking so many quesions but i couldnt find the engine taking out guide in engine swaps bit.

thanks in advance

to remove the bonnet the best way is to remove the 4 small bolts, 2 on either side facing the left and the right of the car if you get what I mean - basically the 2 bolts on either side of the actual bonnet hinge

then disconnect the airbox/afm, and the full exhaust inc downpipes from the manifold back, also the radiator - leave all of the cooling pipes on the engine, disconnect the PAS pump (different ways to do it, either leave the pipes on the pump or the engine, I can't remember the proper way), I left the pipes on the pump and fitted the new engine with the pump still attached and then just swapped the pipes over

you will also have to disconnect the wiring, the big round plug on the bulkhead needs to be disconnected, pull out the rubber grommet which is where the battery normally goes on some e30s and disconnect the plug from the ECU and pull it through 0 leave all wiring attached to the engine

the throttle cable needs to be unclipped from the intake manifold

can't remember how much (3?), but the nuts/bolts connecting the prop to the gearbox need to be undone to allow the gearbox to come out with the engine, I also can't remember what needs to be done to free the gearbox

then undo the 2 engine mounts and lift the engine and gearbox out

Tools - a good socket set (with plenty of extensions) and basic tools - various screwdrivers, etc

I think I have covered everything but I may have forgotten something

HTH

cheers mate..you were a great help thanks again.

One more thing A hell of a lot of elbow grease! lol

thanks for the advice, didnt think of leaving the PS pump attached to the car...helped me a lot!

Kami, hope you don't think I'm being cheeky, not trying to be, but why do you want to take the engine and box out? TBH if you need to ask how to take the bonnet off and what tools to use then taking the engine out is going to be pretty tricky methinks.
One to note - to take the box and engine out in a oner you will loads of headroom, a pretty tall hoist with the front end up, so the tailshaft on the box can clear the ground. Alternative is to crack the box off the engine and lower underneath the car with the engine then taken out straight upwards.

cheers bobby

Another one to note, if your taking the box off the engine youll need a set of torx bits and dont forget to remove the clutch slave from the gearbox before removal, itll save you bleeding it when you put a motor back in

Dont forget the gear linkage!!! I wouldnt attempt to separate the eng and gearbox in the car, The bell housing bolts are a right pita to get to, let alone undo and remove!!! Raise the back of the car up on ramps and slide the complete eng and box out in one. I have done this several times and it only takes 2-3 hours!!!

Hope this helps

you forgot about the oil cooler

Definately, do it in one lump - its MUUUCH easier.