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2.5 into 1600 shell

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:54 pm
by tys
i am now on my third e30 bm after having a couple of accidents :cry: i have managed to get hold of the first e30 i ever owned which was a 1990 316, and was wondering if anyone out there knew if my 2.5 engine and gearbox will go straight in or if there are any major mods which need to be done, i have been told that it can be done but i would have to change the rear axle aswell, this is not a problem as i have one with the discs and lsd on which i had planned to put on my 320 shell which is now dead.

i would appreciate any help or advice on this as i am hoping to start this project asap

thanks

james

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:01 pm
by Jhonno
you need engine/box/prop/diff and ideally rear discs

quite an 'easy' swap, need to put the seperate header tank etc in tho as the 1.6 uses one on the side of the rad

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:21 pm
by tys
Jhonno wrote:you need engine/box/prop/diff and ideally rear discs

quite an 'easy' swap, need to put the seperate header tank etc in tho as the 1.6 uses one on the side of the rad
looks like i have everything i need to go ahead, thanks very much for your help

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:45 am
by nav786
i will be doing the same on my cab very soon. you will need to upgrade you front brakes to the 6 pot setup, and also the suspension for the added weight.

hi

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:58 am
by eun
ive recently done this as i had a 1989 316i
and just dropped a 325i lump in.

the only major work is the loom everything else
is straight forward!

hope it all goes ok.

i had to pay a specialist Ԛ£700 to fit mine as i needed a couple of
small parts etc.....dont know if thats expensive or not

i got told it wasnt for the job in hand and it was the cheapest
quote i got below 1k :D

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:59 am
by stevetigger
nav786 wrote:i will be doing the same on my cab very soon. you will need to upgrade you front brakes to the 6 pot setup, and also the suspension for the added weight.
Why?? Surely my suspension should take the 2.5 :? ! I dont need to change my brakes because there vented! winkeye

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:45 pm
by nav786
you only need front suspension, but i'm sure someone else said to me you dont aswell. so unsure now, just gonna see how it holds up first. oh and yeh you dont need to change your brakes as they are vented. :-x

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:32 pm
by stevetigger
The convertible was heavier than the saloon, so the suspension should be OK