i know ill sound stupid!

[mogwy]

hey guys joined here a while ago but not really posted much,as i am still on the look for a clean e30.

anyway,my friend has just bought a 320 e30 ise but is really dissapointed with the performance.He was wondering what would be involved in installing a 325 engine,he wants to know if he will need to change wiring,gearboxes,diff etc?

any help would be appreciated or anyone with info on another engine transplant on a budget.

thanks

[kam-325i]

Hello and welcome.....

swapping engine's is not as hard as it sounds........it can be done in a day.......

swapping from a M20B20 (2.0) to the M20B25 (2.5) will involve taking old engine out, putting new engine in. swapping over the ECU, maybe swapping over exhuast system. gearbox and diff can stay.

[e30bmlover]

if you are useing a post facelift engine read on.........

Use the 320i flywheel, clutch and gearbox. Use the complete 320i engine loom, front pulley and starter motor. The 325i afm will be fine, and the 320i ECU will be okay to run it for now but get a later 325i ECU asap. The 320i rad will be fine as it's the same as the facelift 325i rad.
With the engine out I would definitely replace the sump gasket. See if you can get the stiff card version as tbey are bulletproof. Also replace the exhaust manifold studs, gaskets and brass lock nuts. Changing the cambelt, tensioner and water pump goes without saying.

You could use the early 325i loom but it's a pain in the bum with those two horrid flywheel sensors - for a start you'll need a flywheel with the timing pick up lug and I don't think any 320i box has the two holes in the bellhousing for the sensors either, apart from the rare European catalyst versions. Plus the early type ECU's were known for packing up.

[handpaper]

I would add to Andyboy's mini-guide that the only difference between the (Motronic 1.3) ECUs on the 320i and 325i is the chip, so pick up a standard one cheap, or fit one of Ant's!