316 touring engine swap question

[bobbin1982]

I recently bought a 1993 16 touring and found out that the cam is knackered as the oil spray bar is blocked

Gonna need an engine swap so was just wondering what the price difference between a M20 b25 or e36 2.8 conversion would be

Already had a price of £1600 for the 2.5 conversion cost but if its not much more to do the 2.8 it would make sense to go for that


Thanks, Andy

[Mark508f]

Hi
I had a very similar problem with my '92 touring although it sounds like your 1.6 is a bit further gone than mine was.
I initially wanted to go down the M52 2.8 route, but after a bit of research decided it was well beyond my budget, due to the engine never having been fitted to an E30 it is quite a bit more complicated than fitting an M20, not to mention the suspension upgrades needed to take the extra weight, although you will probably need to change your suspension if you go with the M20 as they are quite a bit heavier than the M40 you have at the moment.
I ended up going for an M42, it's a much simpler conversion due to it being a 4 cylinder and you can actually used a lot of the ancillaries off your old M40, plus there's no need to replace your suspension.
I couldn't be happier with mine, it's a great engine and revs really well, plus you get to keep the better weight distribution and handling you get with a 4 cylinder.

[bobbin1982]

Thanks for the info its very helpful

I think as i have a touring i have the suspension and brakes needed for a m20b25

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks for the info its very helpful

I think as i have a touring i have the suspension and brakes needed for a m20b25

It's only the front springs that will be a little soft.
Nothing wrong with an iS engine in a touring - a vast improvement on a M40, and being a combination that BMW never built, you'll have no problems getting it MOT tested to the older non cat. emissions standards.
If you use a M20B25, you'll need one that is pre August '92, and be able to prove that it is, or it'll be tested to the newer standards.

[Mark508f]

The brakes are fine, but I think you will at least need to change your front springs if you go for a 6 cylinder

[Brianmoooore]

The brakes are fine, but I think you will at least need to change your front springs if you go for a 6 cylinder

Not quite that simple. BMW list ten different front springs for a 2 door 325i saloon and twelve different ones for a M40 engined 2 door saloon. Of these, seven are listed as used on both.

[bobbin1982]

Brian your the best... im going to source myself an m42 b18 lump because for this swap it will use 90% of my m40 parts which will make it easy for a novice like myself
The engine i need will need to be from an e30 to work easier... but a e36 one will work with a little fiddling?..