just ordered 325i engine for my 320i se... need advice!!!

[kebabdan]

hey folks, i posted up a few weeks ago about doing a converstion as my head gasket has gone....

was told needed a few things.....

Now ive ordered an engine comes as a complete engine including dizzy cap n inlet air flow ect ect....

ordered a 325i ecu - need to know will it work right off the bat or will it need programming ?

also is the gearbox on the 320i se compatible with the 325i engine

many thanks dan

[maggspower]

Really things you should be asking before you buy stuff

But yes the ECU will work fine no need to reprogram, and so will the gearbox, the diff that is in the car will be quite a high ratio so the car will go like a stabbed rat, but at the expense of cruising and economy.

HTH Byron

[Sanchez]

Plug an play is what you have ordered.

M20B20 gearbox is close to sport ratio and will be fine.

Diff depends on the car. A 2.0l touring will have a 4.10/4.47 and will go quick off the line but top speed and motorway driving will be revy.

A 2.0l saloon may have a smaller ratio diff and be ok.

Its all in the e30zone wiki about diffs and engine swaps.

[kebabdan]

its a 320ise 2 door saloon... so hopefulyl everything will marry up.... haha i know shoulda asked befor but i little bit of research befor hand just wanted to make sure other peoples opinions was the same the diff will be ok on the 2 door then yes or isit advisable to get sport diff ? thanks

[maggspower]

Get the engine going first you can change the diff later, plus it would be a shame not to try it with the higher ratio diff

I'm only down the road from you for parts and advice, should you need any.

Cheers Byron

[kebabdan]

awsume mate, where abouts are you based ? im from nelson... i got the engine coming monday but im in devon, my mate's guna fit the timing belt n waterpump befor i get back and do a compression test... hoping to get cracking on withit next monday like.... any issues or advice problems areas u know off ?

[Sanchez]

diff will be fine as its an e30 one, just makes a difference on the driving of the car.

as above get the engine in and running with your 320i gearbox and swap the ECU to the 325 one, you'll need the 320i out anyway to change the loom over.

Run it for a bit and you'll notice the new speed of the line and if it suits your driving them keep it if not swap it for a more sensible ratio diff to meet your driving style.

[kebabdan]

i was under the illusion was same loom... wiring... just different ecu for fueling and timing of the dizzy or is that incorrect.... cant see much being different between the two looms

[Sanchez]

Same wiring yes but does the replacement engine come with loom fitted?

[kebabdan]

it comes with everything apart from the alternator and starter... so id assume so.... but its coming from a scrap yard and u know what they are like with the scissors.... is this guna cause me any problems or no ?

[Sanchez]

If the wiring on the replacement engine looks good then use it cause its quicker than swapping the loom on the engine. Which means the plug to the ECU should be attached to it hence you need to remove the old ECU from the loom to push the loom out the bulk head.

This is all good if both looms are the same ie manual or auto. Thats the only difference.

Alternator and starter will swap from your 320i.

[maggspower]

awsume mate, where abouts are you based ? im from nelson... i got the engine coming monday but im in devon, my mate's guna fit the timing belt n waterpump befor i get back and do a compression test... hoping to get cracking on withit next monday like.... any issues or advice problems areas u know off ?

I'm in Pontypool. Get as much done with the engine out of the car, oil leaks, cam belt, waterpump etc give it a good service and as long as the internals are ok (a compression test your mate is doing will give some info on that) you'll be fine. The new engine may come with an oil cooler, it not realy needed with modern oils and regular changes but thats up to you if you fit one the oil filter housing will fit off the 2.0 engine.

A pressure washer in the engine bay and treat any rust while you can get at it.

[kebabdan]

awsume nice one guys good help... is a manual to manual so wiring wont be an issue...

yeh thats exactly what im guna do mate, spend day tidying up the engine... i got compression tester here we work in a garage in merthyr so he's guna do all the checks whilst im laying on the beach having a beer haha then wen i come home, engines got new cambelt water pump, plugs, i'll service it whilst its in an check the valve clearances ect... hopefully be happy days.

really looking forward to getting it... got 3 days from when i get bk off holiday to get it out and in n tidy it up... should be ok... awsume help guys... appreciate it

[kebabdan]

hey holfs... engine has come today... hasnt come with a throttle potentiometer tho ? will i be able to run the 320 potentiometer or can it be run with direct filter from the butterfly valve ? thanks dan

[ross2009]

yes you can use your old tps

[kebabdan]

awsume happy days... bit im knacked off about is the scrappies was like oh yeh yeh sure is average miles... around 100k.... got delivered today... done 167k :S..... how reliable are these engines like haha ... worried about journels n crank bearings. worn rings ect... pretty distrubin when i seen mileage tippex on the engine

[sajad09]

How much did you pay for engine if you don't mind me asking as I will also be doing this swap soon.. Thanks saj