318 to 325 engine swap

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:31 pm

Hello all!

I've had my 325i SE 4 door for a year now and love it to bits, but unfortunately it's falling to bits too

I've just bought a tidy, 2 door 318 auto that I'd like to put my good engine and box into. Does anyone know if this is likely to be more hassle than it's worth? If so I will just sell the coupe on.

Thanks in advance.

James

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:57 pm

if the 318 shell is good then i'd do it as you have all the bits at your disposal, and if your gonna do it yourself.

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:59 pm

This thread may help...

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=26070

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:05 pm

i did this last year,took a week off and got it all done (including putting my Mi16 leather interior in!) great fun! especially if you got a mate to help,you wont do it on your own! are they both facelift models? if not you'll have a bit of a mess around with the prop,not too much hasle though. all the electrics just plug in,really easy,just alot of work i.e. suspension,brakes,diff and dont forget the rear anti roll bar! i nearly did!
go on,you'll love it,gives you a great sense of achievement,and at the end of the day,its just nuts and bolts!

Tel

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:12 pm

put the 325 engine and box in.
like nav says, you have every part there that you need.
it'll be good experience for you.

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:05 pm

I dont need to do the rear anti roll bar??

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:16 pm

The air filter mounting bracket will be different, no fixings for the 325 coolant tank or the clutch resevoir.
You will need to use the 325 front springs because of the heavier engine, and it would be better if you swapped over the whole front struts so that you get the vented discs and the thicker struts.
At the rear, if you have drums on the 318, a swap to the 325 discs would be good as well. Since you need the 325 diff, swap over the whole rear beam.
A lot of work, but if you take the trouble to treat the petrol tank around the filler spigot, change the rear beam bushes and sort the rear brake pipes while the beam is off, then you should have a car that will sail through its MOT for many years.

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:50 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:The air filter mounting bracket will be different, no fixings for the 325 coolant tank or the clutch resevoir.
You will need to use the 325 front springs because of the heavier engine, and it would be better if you swapped over the whole front struts so that you get the vented discs and the thicker struts.
At the rear, if you have drums on the 318, a swap to the 325 discs would be good as well. Since you need the 325 diff, swap over the whole rear beam.

But I dont on a cab??

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:33 pm

Wow, thanks for all your help guys.

You've got me thinking now though...

My current 325i is the older model and the 318i the newer. I'm hopefully getting a sport diff to go in the new car which is also from the later model. I'm reasured now that this won't be a complete nightmare, just a nightmare, ha ha.

RE: brakes and suspension. This is a project car I will be building to take the the Nurburgring in September and hopefully use on a daily basis so will be putting new and upratted brakes and suspension on when the time comes. The question is, if I order the springs and shocks for a 325i will these go straight in the 318i?

Also, what's this about a rear roll-bar? Are the mounting point for it going to be on the 318i?

Post Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:55 pm

stevetigger wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:The air filter mounting bracket will be different, no fixings for the 325 coolant tank or the clutch resevoir.
You will need to use the 325 front springs because of the heavier engine, and it would be better if you swapped over the whole front struts so that you get the vented discs and the thicker struts.
At the rear, if you have drums on the 318, a swap to the 325 discs would be good as well. Since you need the 325 diff, swap over the whole rear beam.
But I dont on a cab??

Don't what on a cab?

Post Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:02 am

Change the front struts?? or swap rear brakes as there already disc!

Post Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:18 am

stevetigger wrote:Change the front struts?? or swap rear brakes as there already disc!

Yea, cab front and back axles are OK, except for needing 6 pot front springs instead of 4 pot.
Same would apply to a tourer.

Post Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:23 am

Brianmoooore wrote:
stevetigger wrote:Change the front struts?? or swap rear brakes as there already disc!
Yea, cab front and back axles are OK, except for needing 6 pot front springs instead of 4 pot.
Same would apply to a tourer.

So I need 6 pot springs!

Post Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:57 am

go on chuck it in there

u wont regret it i did this from my 316i and i
love every second of it.

apart from at the mo cos its got a problem with fueling
but it is a change for the better definately

Post Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:52 am

stevetigger wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:
stevetigger wrote:Change the front struts?? or swap rear brakes as there already disc!
Yea, cab front and back axles are OK, except for needing 6 pot front springs instead of 4 pot.
Same would apply to a tourer.
So I need 6 pot springs!

Yes, to do the job properly. 6 pot engine is a lot heavier than the 4 pot.