E30 316i to E30 325i

Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:47 am

Cheers mate, is it the sandwich plate adaptor at all?

Also does anyone know if I have to change the engine mounts, as the 2.5 doesn't seem to be sitting quite right, the 316i has a pyrimid type indentation with a rubber mount over it and it sits on one side fine but is not on all the way the other side, will it just need wiggling about a bit?

Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:45 am

You need the M20 for your 325. I can't see 316 mounts lasting long with a M20 sitting on them, even if they fit, or your fan not getting intimate with the radiator.
Doesn't your 2.5 engine have the oil cooler connections on it? Sure it's a 2.5?

Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:02 pm

Ahh right, the problem is the 325i engine mounts I've seen look circular, where's the indentations on the chassis of the 316i is a pyramid shape. Any suggestions? Also come
along another problem, need to source a hear linkage as the guy didn't include it. So far, possible engine mounts, steering pump and linkage, anything else I might need?

Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:20 pm

Use the m20 mounts, they indeed are circular.

Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:30 pm

How would the circular mounts fit in the 316i chassis if the indents are a pyrimid shape?

Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:21 pm

Asthenia wrote:How would the circular mounts fit in the 316i chassis if the indents are a pyrimid shape?

engine mounts bolt into the front crossmember.....

Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:13 am

Oh yeah, thanks Daimler I just noticed. Bought the 325i mounts. So far so good, get it all together Wednesday, I'll keep you updated

Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:41 pm

Engine mounts are in, sits a lot better. Run into all sort of problems so far. Not entirely sure how the power steering pump tensioner goes. Had to relocate the power steering res as the hose didn't match up with the power steering pump inlets. Anyone else had this problem using 316i bits and bobs, had to change the gear linkage as the 316i one is too long. Also very unsure about the radiator, do you have to use an m20 rad? Isn't there a way of keeping the m40 one but changing the hoses.

All that's left to do is under the bonnet work, anything else I should be aware of?

Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:58 pm

Had to get a complete new loom from an E30 320i tourin and have now put it all in. Without connecting all the coolant hoses up and bodging the intake system together quickly I turned it over and after a few cranks boom! it fires up. Had to turn it off right away due to no exhaust so it was mega loud.

Now all I have to do is bolt up the prop, heatshielding and the exhaust, then under bonnet work. Should be then on the road with a successful conversion.

I've been advised to uprate the brakes to rear discs, is there a way I can keep the drums for now but uprate them to handle the power? better shoes? master cylinder?
With this project taken a while due to it being a roadside project and getting dark really early, I don't want to be stuck changing the brake setup as well right away. Any ideas?

Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:46 am

Rear drums will be fine. What would be a plan would be to swap the 316 single discs up front for the vented discs and calipers from a 320/325 or any touring.

Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:32 pm

Brian28 wrote:Rear drums will be fine. What would be a plan would be to swap the 316 single discs up front for the vented discs and calipers from a 320/325 or any touring.

Have these from a sport in very good nick,Ideal if your on a budget?