1.6 -> 2.0/2.5?

[jon_pure_british]

Hey all.

I recently bought my first e30, I'm considering dropping a 2.0 or 2.5 its currently a 1.6.

What are the advantages and dis-advantages of this type of upgrade, I can possibly get a complete 320 for a few hundred quid not sure how good the engine is, but thats being looked into.

Any ideas or opinions about this?
I'm not mechanically minded so please simplize everything for me :D

Cheers in advance, Jon

[FlappySocks]

I assume your doing this for more power, so forget the 2.0. Nothing wrong with them, but to go to all the effort you may as well drop in 2.5 which will give you a much greater gain.

Stuart.

[Finny]

Yep get ur self a 2.5 lump i personally think the 320 is a waste of time they arent quick at all.

The conversion is easy really i hadnt done an engine swap before and i did it with no probs really.

You will need the complete engine the engine wiring loom, the prop from the 325 and the diff oh and obviously the gearbox.

I left the gearbox attached when i dropped it in and it went in quite easily.

Its probably best to get a donor car which has been smashed up really, i got one for 200 quid off ebay.

Good luck!!

[dazleeds]

agreed for power and future modability go for the 25 engine

can be picked up for a couple hundred quid

dnt forget to upgrade the suspension and brakes while your at it

may be easiest to try find a battered bodied 325 donor car and get all the bits in 1 go

[jon_pure_british]

Thanks for you're replys, it seems as if the 25 engine is the way to go, however, I went into an engine modifying garage and they reckon the wiring loom will need to be altered, is this true? or are they trying to mug me off..

But will the brakes and the springs from the 325 be enough uprating in those areas, or are we talking about even more uprated brakes.

Thanks.. Jon

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks for you're replys, it seems as if the 25 engine is the way to go, however, I went into an engine modifying garage and they reckon the wiring loom will need to be altered, is this true? or are they trying to mug me off..

But will the brakes and the springs from the 325 be enough uprating in those areas, or are we talking about even more uprated brakes.

Thanks.. Jon

No altering of the wiring loom at all, assuming thar engine and car are both post facelift. Find another garage.
The wiring loom remains attached to the engine throughout the whole swap. Disconnect it from the car end.
BMW spent millions of marks developing the 325 brakes, and BMW don't normally put economics in front of engineering. If the 325 brake set up was good enough for BMW, It'll be good enough for you.

[jon_pure_british]

Cheers

Time to look for a 325 donor