e30 engine swap to 330i ?

[v8zimmer]

Hi all im a novice to e30 zone but need your help & advice, i was looking into the prospect of converting an e30 320i auto into a 330i,not sure if this is possible or worth attemping if not would a e36 2.8 be a better prospect ? also would i need the whole shabang inc loom etc.....any advice would be appreciated thanks Az

[StuBeeDoo]

Putting a later engine in has been done plenty of times and all the options have been well documented. Your choice depends on a few things.....
Do you want to keep the car original?
Do you want the bigger engine to be "plug & play"?
Do you mind doing a bit of fabrication (mainly in the exhaust department)?

Plug and play/original solution number 1 is to buy a 525e engine and fit your 320i cylinder head. 2693ccs and an easy 180bhp and brilliant driveability.
Plug and play/original solution number 2 is buy a 325i engine, an E36 328i crank and use the conrods out of your 320i. This seems to be becoming the preferred option. 2793ccs and the talk is of 200bhp from one of these.
Option 3 is to let your imagination and skills run wild - the sky's the limit.

[penton08]

what ever engine you go for, you will need the engine loom and ecu. and depending on what engine/year ect the ews set up and vanos control unit aswell. best to get a donor car imo, as you will need a lot more than these few things.