320 to 325
Moderator: martauto
-
recarofiestars
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:00 pm
hey all, picked up a 320i yesterday, and after a few hours later i think it dropped a valve, just cut out with a rattle and i now locked up. What i wanted to know, is it a straight swap to convert to 325, engine box and ecu? I did a search but couldnt really find the answer
-
StuBeeDoo
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 6756
- Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Up My Own Arse
It's pretty much plug & play. All you need is the engine and ECU. Would be a very good idea to use a 325i diff as well.
The 320i geabox is capable of handling the extra power/torque and actually (with the exception of 1st) has virtually identical ratios to the 325i Sport close ratio 'box.
The 320i geabox is capable of handling the extra power/torque and actually (with the exception of 1st) has virtually identical ratios to the 325i Sport close ratio 'box.
This is why I no longer drive an E30......
straight swap assuming the version of motronic is the same on both engines. not sure about earlier ones but if the ECU is a 172 or 380 then u can simply open the cover and pop in a 325i chip so really just a matter of swapping engines.
also FYI there isnt that much of a difference between the maps on a 320i and a 325i so u could even run the standard 320i ECU with the 2.5 lump tho u may lose a couple HP but probably not enough to notice if u rolled up alongside a standard 325i and had a bash at it.
last but not least u could also just stick in a decent performance chip for a 325i into the 320i ECU (providing its a 172, 173, 380 or 381 ECU) as they are basically all the same except for the standard chip that comes in each number of ECU. 172/380 should be 320i and 173/381 should be 325i but again the only difference is whats on the chip inside. all 4 of those numbered ECU's have socketed boards also so removing/installing a chip is a doddle, just mind what way the notch is facing on the side so u dont fit the new chip the wrong way round.
also FYI there isnt that much of a difference between the maps on a 320i and a 325i so u could even run the standard 320i ECU with the 2.5 lump tho u may lose a couple HP but probably not enough to notice if u rolled up alongside a standard 325i and had a bash at it.
last but not least u could also just stick in a decent performance chip for a 325i into the 320i ECU (providing its a 172, 173, 380 or 381 ECU) as they are basically all the same except for the standard chip that comes in each number of ECU. 172/380 should be 320i and 173/381 should be 325i but again the only difference is whats on the chip inside. all 4 of those numbered ECU's have socketed boards also so removing/installing a chip is a doddle, just mind what way the notch is facing on the side so u dont fit the new chip the wrong way round.
WMMotorsports
-
recarofiestars
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:00 pm
thanks for the info guys, will post pics of the car and progress up at the weekend 
barton, lets do some skids boy 
barton, lets do some skids boy Not worth getting unless you get a good one for half nothing.
Only gear that has a significant difference is 1st and I suppose the sport box may be alittle stronger.
Only gear that has a significant difference is 1st and I suppose the sport box may be alittle stronger.
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
got the swap done in about 8 hours
out of interest, we fitted an engine and ecu from an auto having swapped the flywheel and clutch
there's nothng else we have to do is there? car seems fine, but would be nice to know if there's anything else due to the auto
out of interest, we fitted an engine and ecu from an auto having swapped the flywheel and clutch
there's nothng else we have to do is there? car seems fine, but would be nice to know if there's anything else due to the auto
-
cliff_costa
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:00 pm
spigot bering in the crank shaft
