newb... lol

[fen123]

hi im new im about to buy my first bmw next weekend and its a 318 but i was thinking about putting a 325 engine in it how straight foward is this swap im normally into my golfs (am i alowed to say that lol) and am fairly confident in my skills done engine conversions before an that but was just wondering if its a case of getting all the 325 bits and putting them into a 318? or will i need to modify either of the looms at all? and what parts other than the obvious capacity of the engine are diffrent? any help much appreciated

cheers, Fen

[chu346]

Buy a 325i you fool!!!

[rix313]

Front suspension would need to be changed, diff, gearbox, prop, you'd really need rear brakes, wiring loom, radiator and coolant system and exhaust, probably the fuel pump too. Everything.

Buy a 325 ;)

Welcome to the zone.

[UweM3]

seriously save yourself a lot of hassle and buy a 325. Not that the conversion is difficult or expensive, it just doesn't make sense. For the hassle you will have with the insurance afterwards it's just not worth it. Or fit an engine with a lot more ooomp.....

[fen123]

the only thing is im young (19) so will probably get bummed by the insurance just wanted to make sure i dont have to funk about modifying wiring looms is all really all the mechanical stuff is easy enough what engine would you sugest for optimal oooppfff with least hassle fitting i.e not much wiring lol dont mind welding cutting fabricating just the less wiring i have to do the better lol much appreciated guys

cheers, Fen

[stonesie]

The M42... It's the 1.8 16v 4 pot, should be farely insurance friendly with a bit of extra power and the potential for mods later, look up appletrees mamoth thread's in this section detailing his supercharger conversions.

[rix313]

The M42... It's the 1.8 16v 4 pot, should be farely insurance friendly with a bit of extra power and the potential for mods later, look up appletrees mamoth thread's in this section detailing his supercharger conversions.

+1

M42 is defo your best bet for a really easy swap and more power.

[chu346]

Just buy a 318is and forget about doing an engine swap.

[fen123]

Sorry like I said I'm new here what is an m42? Lol don't know bmw engine codes....yet and what power does it put out cheers for all the answers folks

[rix313]

M42 (or M42B18) is the engine that was fitted to the 318iS, it's a 1.8 16v produces about 135bhp odd if looked after.

M40B16 is the 316i and the M40B18 is the 318i (both 8V) about 100bhp and 115bhp respectively

The 2.5 6 cylinder is M20B25 and the 2.0 6 cylinder is M20B20 (Both 12v) I'm not sure about their power tbh they're dirty 6 pots but in the region of 150bhp for the 2.5.

The carb engines are M10.

[chu346]

318i-M40 115bhp 8valve insurance group 12-13
318is-M42 136 bhp 16valve insurance group 14
325i-M20 168bhp 12valve insurance group 16-17

[fen123]

cheers for the info guys really apreciate it seeing as im starting to sway to keep the standard engine how do i get the best out of it? just the obvious or is there some parts that can be changed to make a decent diffrence? cheers again guys youve all been really helpfull having ideas of wieght saving now... lol

[baptie0]

stick a turbo on it

[TPS]

171 BHP for the 325I I think, 129 BHP for the 320I, Buy a 325I to start with, the engine is smooth as silk, not like those rattly old 4pot things.

Buy a performance air filter & a stainless steel back box or full system (if budgets allow)will squeeze a little more power from it, an ECU re-map will improve things as well

[TPS]

A turbo would certainly make a difference

[fen123]

lol yea turboing might be a bit much lol dont really wanna go down the stand alone ecu route lol id like to whack an 325 in it if i can find all the bits for a good price lol

[rix313]

old 4pot things.

I do believe they're the same age as those old 6pot things

[jaistanley]

I'd also get over the idea of insurance. It's going to hurt. Regardless. Fitting a 2.5 engine into a 316i and not telling the insurance company isn't the answer either.

[fen123]

wieght saving ftw i rekon lol

[toby]

Spending money on an engine conversion doesn't logically connect with saving money on insurance. An engine conversion, when done properly, does cost a fair bit.

Buy the 318i, chip it (available from http://www.fastbimmer.co.uk/) and fit some decent suspension and brakes. It is still fast enough for a road car.