Biggest / Best Engine swap for a 325i ie 740 engine? etc?

[rwdonly]

HI, please be kind this is my first post on here and im new to BMW's !!

I currently have a 325 touring that i want to add a little more punch too, it has a leaky rear main seal so the engine and box would have to come to sort this so i figured id just throw in a bigger lump etc.

What sort of conversions can i look at and from what car? Please dont say m10 etc as i just dont know, i would need model no and years as im too new to BM's !

Mechanical and electrical issues are not a problem and id be looking for a complete car to do the conversion, i just figured that you guys would know and be able to help me out!

Any comments would be greatly appreciated, but please dont suggest the latest cars as im on a TIGHT budget!

[lloydp]

How big do you want to go? There's a 5L V12 to be found in the 750i... there's a '97 one on autotrader for about £3k at the moment. probably doesn't fit your tight budget criteria, though.

[whipsey]

HI, please be kind this is my first post on here and im new to BMW's !!

hehe welcome slaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggg you have been CONVERTED

[FormerMember]

How big do you want to go? There's a 5L V12 to be found in the 750i... there's a '97 one on autotrader for about £3k at the moment. probably doesn't fit your tight budget criteria, though.

That's probably too new (has EWSII which is a b**ch to make to work in another shell). V12 is anyhow little too big physically IMHO.

Anyways, if i'd start a motor swap i'd probably go V8 route (540 or 740 '92-96 (4.0L, no EWS2)). 300hp & 400Nm quite "easily".
Donor cars are quite cheap (suitable 540 costs ~1500┚¬ in germany) so when you sell all the surplus bits you'll end up paying 0┚¬ for the swap.

[handpaper]

On a tight budget, you're best off dropping in the M30B35 from an early 535i, lots of people have done this and it's very well documented. Will get you 210-220 bhp and lots of torque.
Alternatively, you could turbocharge the existing engine you have and get even more power and torque

BTW, to replace the rear main seal you only need to drop the gearbox - the engine can remain in situ.

[suzie650]

I have to agree with jonsku. (although £0 is a bit optimistic)
The best bhp for the money is M60B40 (e34 540, 740). EWS isn't a problem if you get a complete car. But it's quite a lot of fabrication. (even if you buy ready done engine mounts, you have to relocate the brake master and servo at the front, gearbox mount, prop, ...)
An m30 (early 535) is probably a bit easier.
But on that case, I would go with an m50 (e36 I6 24V). Not (much) less power, newer engine, better fuel consumption...

[oze30]

I have to agree with jonsku. (although £0 is a bit optimistic)
The best bhp for the money is M60B40 (e34 540, 740). EWS isn't a problem if you get a complete car. But it's quite a lot of fabrication. (even if you buy ready done engine mounts, you have to relocate the brake master and servo at the front, gearbox mount, prop, ...)
An m30 (early 535) is probably a bit easier.
But on that case, I would go with an m50 (e36 I6 24V). Not (much) less power, newer engine, better fuel consumption...

Gearbox mount is the same. If you go the 6 speed, you'll need to extend the mount. The linkage apparently can be made to work using different bmw parts.
Prop, E36 328.
Manifolds=B!tch!

Then you'll have to uprate your brakes, redo your suspension.. the list goes on!

[pacerpete]

V8 conversion is not something to be contemplated on a tight budget. Manual gearboxes are like rocking horse poo,a 5 speed will cost around £500 and a 6 speed £1000, then you need a clutch and flywheel !
M30 is the best 'budget' conversion, cheap,relatively straightforward and lots of replacement engines available for peanuts.

[jaistanley]

I personally think the best budget option is to get the M50B25 complete with gearbox etc from an e34 525i sport. More modern electronic trickery and 24v. Good fuel economy, well documented swap, good power etc. Looks just right in an e30 engine bay too!

[whipsey]

just a quick note to everyone the blokes got a 5.7 v8 yank as well thats race tuned

[jaistanley]

Fvck it then....

Slap an LS1 in it!

[ric325i]

just a quick note to everyone the blokes got a 5.7 v8 yank as well thats race tuned

well stick that thing in then! whats all the talk about!


that would be naughty.

[suzie650]

and easier than OHC v8's as well. They're tiny blocks!

[e30_Turbo]

Turbo????

[fowler]

Agreed with fozzy !!!!!!!! but twin turbo

[oldroydsr4]

Forced induction is not imo possible on a small budget ,

m30 is the way to go.

[whipsey]

just a quick note to everyone the blokes got a 5.7 v8 yank as well thats race tuned

well stick that thing in then! whats all the talk about!


that would be naughty.

i think its a case of what diff to use etc on the yank lump engine mounts how the loom would mate up to the m20 clocks etc etc

[suzie650]

just a quick note to everyone the blokes got a 5.7 v8 yank as well thats race tuned

well stick that thing in then! whats all the talk about!


that would be naughty.

i think its a case of what diff to use etc on the yank lump engine mounts how the loom would mate up to the m20 clocks etc etc

He said mechanical and electrical issues are not a problem. The mounts and installation would be much easier than with an m60. And unless he's got a fancy ls2 or ls7 (drive by wire), it's just a matter of identifying about 20 wires and plug them in the right place. Even with the drive-by-wire, there are ways to make it work.
I would have loved to do it myself, but noo mooney

[rwdonly]

Wow so many replies cheers guys!!

Just to clear one thing up.... whipsey, is a good friend of mine and yes i do run a Small blocked V8 yank, but that will be staying in the car its in ( unless i buy a blown version ).

As for wiring etc, the speedo and rev counter dont work anyway, ( i use a sat nav for speed ) so thats not such a problem and the electrical side really isnt too much hassle.

Ok daft question time M30? is a ? and what car/ year?

The e34 525i sport, sounds interesting.

Its a strange situation for years ive refused to accept that the Beemers are a nice car and even though all my mates have them ( new and old models ) i decided they werent for me.
Then with the help of Whipsey, i bought a 325 touring auto and have fallen in love with that little " S " switch!!
Doesnt sound as nice as my Yank, and doesnt have the " get up and kick your face in factor " but im enjoying it, it just needs to go FASTER!!

[suzie650]

m30 will be the 3.5 straight six as found on early e34 535.
Or turn yours into a 2.8?

[rwdonly]

Thankyou suzie650, er im sorry e34? sorry im not too familiar with the model numbers!

[suzie650]

The last 5 series with round headlights.
like this

[oze30]

Stick with a yank v8! Kinda wish I did.. Easier to tune and if you ever do go the blower route, it looks mean, mad max stylee out of the bonnet!!!

[rwdonly]

Thankyou again!!

Its all good food for thought.

handpaper, yeah sorry i said engine and box, should have said just box! I just figured id go a little power hungry and make the excuse to tear it all out.

[suzie650]

The problem with m30's is that they're old, most of them are fairly tired, still 12V, motronic 1, cambelt and mechanical tappets...
M50's are 24V, newer, much more modern ecu, chain driven, and from what I gather, easier to fit as well.
but v8's are just soo much better

[whipsey]

The problem with m30's is that they're old, most of them are fairly tired, still 12V, motronic 1, cambelt and mechanical tappets...
M50's are 24V, newer, much more modern ecu, chain driven, and from what I gather, easier to fit as well.
but v8's are just soo much better

my m30 has a cam chain not a belt

[rwdonly]

LOL i thought you guys would be screaming about another Beemer engine and not a yank V8?

I thnk a search of the bay is in order to get an idea of prices

[whipsey]

well stick that thing in then! whats all the talk about!


that would be naughty.

i think its a case of what diff to use etc on the yank lump engine mounts how the loom would mate up to the m20 clocks etc etc

He said mechanical and electrical issues are not a problem. The mounts and installation would be much easier than with an m60. And unless he's got a fancy ls2 or ls7 (drive by wire), it's just a matter of identifying about 20 wires and plug them in the right place. Even with the drive-by-wire, there are ways to make it work.
I would have loved to do it myself, but noo mooney

what about ecu's would it need a standalone management added ?

[ric325i]

just to let you know people will be giving you advise and their opinions. if you want a good idea of whats involved in the most common engine swaps then look at the stickys at the top of this section.

the stickys use lots of m30, m50, e34, e36 etc, if your not sure what they mean type them in to a google image search and you will see what people are cracking on about.


have a good read through other people's threads on the conversions.

for power a m50 2.5l, out of a 5 series e34 (late one) or 3 series e36 is about 195bhp

m30 is older but more power, from e34 5 series (earlier e34) 210/220bhp with about the same torque.


i think either will feel good in a e30 and they are the cheapest but not cheap conversions

[suzie650]

sorry for the wrong info about m30 timing chain, then.

Regarding ecu's, everything pre can-bus is pretty much plug'n'play using the ecu of the engine you're transplanting, with the added trick of the EWS (anti-theft) post 1995 (not too complicated, but you need the ews module, the transmitter and keys matched to the module and ecu)

Some people here have made later can-bus system work as well (thinking about glenn who put an s62 engine in his (v8 5l out of a bmw m5)) but I couldn't tell you what's involved exactly.

A standalone will make the cost climb quite a lot, as you will want to have it mapped to your car. Hardware+rolling road=£Â£Ã‚£ You're better off using what comes with the donor engine.

[rwdonly]

ric325i , suzie650
Thanks for all the advice, i guess at the end of the day it all comes down to personal choice, i will look through the "stickys" .

Thanks again, i never thought id get so many replies so quickly!

[suzie650]

you're right, it comes down to personal choice, but on a tight budget it mainly depends on what's available out there. time for some ebay and classifieds...

[rwdonly]

Good ol Ebay!!
A complete car i think is the way to go, i was speaking to a guy today that flows heads and knows a " well known " BMW person, i never heard of him but Whipsey had. Anyway he had some good views on head porting, this may also be an option as im no stranger to porting cylinder heads, ive done everything from a V8 to a Pug 16v.
The idea of a 3.5 24v flowed has a big appeal, mmmmmmmm off to the stickys!

Thanks again suzie650.
( ps what do you drive? )

[suzie650]

now? A banger mk2 golf gti 8v with a knackered starter and alternator (bump start powaa) no suspension (coilovers) and no exhaust (straight through, keeps blowing my back box) but a good strong engine and no rust.

Up to 2 month ago, a '88 325i touring. Hopefully next month a 340 touring
And price wise, I will probably not be far off Jonsku's estimate (3rd post of this topic)

(I promissed the golf I would sort it out when the bmw's finished. )

[Karan]

value for money= m30