Engine Swap requirements

Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:52 am

Hey, I've got a 316i and I love how it looks so instead of getting a new car I'd love to do an engine swap (or at least get someone to do it)

Ok, I'll be the first to admit I have no clue what is involved in doing so, so what else will need swapping if I were to do it?

Thanks!

Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:00 pm

what do you want in there engine wise,as you have a big choice or what is your budget?

Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:18 pm

just from what ive heard on this forum, i get the general impression the 320i isnt worth it, so a 2.3?

I dont have a budget yet, I dont really know how much everything costs so Id like to see what Id probably have to spend.

I'd like to upgrade my brakes if I upgrade the engine too, currently I have drums at the rear.

Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:36 pm

easyest option is to buy a cheap but heathly engine e30 with disc all round and swap everything over will be cheap as well

Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:44 pm

i have just what you need sat here
if your after a 2.3??

c reg 323i 4door horrible looking but great engine etc still pulls like mad
and gave good economy when last used
has rear discs etc
take the whole car for Ãƒ”šÃ‚£150

but it has to go very soon as drive is crammed up and mrs not happy

pm if interested m8

Daz

Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:09 pm

thanks daz, I would but I cant commit right now, I was thinking of doing it over summer or something.

thanks anyway

Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:45 pm

Thought I'd highjack/piggy back this post. Was thinking of doing the same to my 318i M40 Cab, heard they werent the best engine ever produced by BMW. Is it just a case of dropping the engine in the car and all connections are the same. Sorry but i'm just as much in the dark about these things, its just nice to know when your talking it through with the mechanic

Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:20 pm

estee wrote:Thought I'd highjack/piggy back this post. Was thinking of doing the same to my 318i M40 Cab, heard they werent the best engine ever produced by BMW. Is it just a case of dropping the engine in the car and all connections are the same. Sorry but i'm just as much in the dark about these things, its just nice to know when your talking it through with the mechanic

323 is pre facelift, and these have different loom connectors AFAIK. The loom of facelift 325s plug straight in though, as apparently do the looms off 3.5s, with just one change.

Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:11 am

Thanks Brian, With this being the pre-facelift model, would i be right in assuming that the mileage on most of these enginess would be quite high. Not too fussed but I need to get my engine out asap, its had a miss fire for 6 months and my mechanic cant figure it out. He says the next stage is ripping off the cylinder head...big money

Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:50 am

On average 323s are going to be high mileage, but thee are still low mileage one's around.
What's high mileage on a M20 anyway? 100K miles is nicely run in, even 200k should have plenty of life left! (About as much as a brand new F**d engine.)
A mechanic that can't find a missfire on a 4 pot?? Hmmm.

Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:59 am

Thats about the same mileage as i would expect. I've printed off a few articles from the zone regarding missfires, including a a recent one where you had a suggestion of an airleak, he's tried then all, apart from stripping the engine !!

Is there lots of paper work with the DVLA and insurance people when you carryout a conversion ?

Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:21 am

estee wrote:Thats about the same mileage as i would expect. I've printed off a few articles from the zone regarding missfires, including a a recent one where you had a suggestion of an airleak, he's tried then all, apart from stripping the engine !!

Is there lots of paper work with the DVLA and insurance people when you carryout a conversion ?

No problem with paperwork - DVLA just require an update on engine size, and no problems at all with the right insurance company. DVLA actually get more excited about fitting smaller engines, as they suspect you may be on the fiddle regarding road tax band!
To find airleaks on the induction side, I use a plumber's type blowlamp (type with a torch on a rubber hose), remove the shroud and the jet, turn the gas on, and push the end of the torch against suspected airleak sites with the engine idling. The engine will respond instantly when it gets a sniff of gas.
Has he identified which cylinder?

Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:50 am

i was incredibly interested in the 2.7 alpina b6 motor but what tranny or diff to use?

Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:52 am

Brianmoooore wrote: No problem with paperwork - DVLA just require an update on engine size, and no problems at all with the right insurance company. DVLA actually get more excited about fitting smaller engines, as they suspect you may be on the fiddle regarding road tax band!
To find airleaks on the induction side, I use a plumber's type blowlamp (type with a torch on a rubber hose), remove the shroud and the jet, turn the gas on, and push the end of the torch against suspected airleak sites with the engine idling. The engine will respond instantly when it gets a sniff of gas.
Has he identified which cylinder?

Brian - Thats great new about the paperwork, my mechanic reckons its the 3rd cylinder. We've tried all the airleak tests. e now thinks its a sticky valve which means bringing the cylinder head off. Its starting to take its toll on the wallet, so I'm considering an upgrade, which could save time and money in the long term