E30 Zone

I need some help with a decision I've got to make!
I've recently bought a 325i sport, gas coverted off a friend of mine, along with a M20 3.5 engine, after he ran out of time and money to carry on with the conversion.

My intentions were to continue with the conversion, hence my username!, though I'm now starting to have doubts!

With the 3.5 fitted, is the handling going to be really badly compromised? I know how heavy this lump is as i've dragged it over the garage a couple of times, much to my backs dislike, even if I was to fit the 335.de mounts in position 3?
I was intending on position 2 as it seems like a lot less work, though threads i've read suggest 3, obviously so the engines further back for weight distribution.
The car is currently fitted with koni adjustables, eibach springs, 25mm drop, probably end up at 35mm with the weight gain.

My other option is returning the car to stock, as i've got the original 2.5 as well, though i'm sure i'll get bored of this as i've had a couple of 325's over the years.

I've also been reading about the 2.8 conversions, using the M50 crank, so would this be a better way to go, getting similar power gains to the 3.5, without all the extra weight.

Another idea i've been toying with is turbocharging it, using the 2.5.

Any ideas thoughts, from people who've went down these routes would be appreciated!

The other thing is , would it devalue the car, being a sport, rather than a 316 or similar, by going down the 3.5 route?

Cheers

If you've got a sport return it to it's original state, sports hold their value if original and by dropping in another engine would loss value (in my opinion)

I've got the M30B35 in mine and regularly drive this and my other halfs 325 tourer and don't really notice any difference in the way they handle, the only real difference is when you put your right foot down The conversion itself is easy and if you have all the parts can be done in a weekend.

Mine's on 60mm apex suspension and didn't get any lower with the M30 in so I would be suprised if yours did drop any lower.

If I were to do it all again (and most probably will soon) I'd either go for the M52B28 with the M50 inlet manifold, good exhaust and re-mapped or build the M20 upto B28 spec using the M52 crank.

I wouldn't do any of the above to an original sport though due to the increasing value, I'd pick up a standard 325 saloon as it's already got the correct suspension/brakes or any size tourer (they all have the better brakes/suspension)

At the end of the day it's your car and you can do what you want with it, just enjoy what ever you decide

As it is a sport my vote is M20B28.. You'll end up with as much power as an M30 with better fuel consumption and better handling

Cheers for the replies!
Don't think I would go down the M52 route, even though I know how good an engine they are, minus the nicosil problem, as I've had 2 E36 328's and 1 E46 one.
Found them even quicker than my current 330, though maybe mines just a bad one!

I thought that it may devalue it, as being a bit of an RS purist, I know how it does with them.

Could buy a 320i off the same mate I got the the sport off and junk the M30 motor in there, though I'd rather stick with the sport.

Think probably the best way is to stick the original motor back in, for next year, and consider rebuilding it the next year, to a 2.8.

That way if nothing else, it will look right in the bay, and I could always pass it off as a 325i

on an original sport, i'd maybe rebuild it as a 2.7 or 2.8. otherwise it's losing originality amd value. I doubt retaining the M20 would affect it at all

if it was me, i'd keep the sport nice and totally minty, return it to standard spec, then get a 325i with a cracked head, throw the M30 in and put the aftermarket suspension from the sport on and start playing track days

Do whatever conversion you want,
the sport can easily be put back to standard by throwing the m20 back in when its time to sell.