320i upgrade to a 325i

[HUSSAIN]

as the title says, ive been looking for E30 325i for summer project, but after afew weeks of looking, nothing has come to interest. so ive decieded to go for a 320i 2door instead and have the engine changed to a 325i..before i go and buy a car, just woundering, if i change the engine over, will i need to change any other bits, like brakes, gearbox, diff?? just trying to work out all cost before i go out and buy a car.

[capri_rob]

320i will have rear drums - 325i has rear discs so you may want to upgrade to these.

I think the gearbox, propshaft and diff can all be used with the 325i lump without any major issues.

[town325i]

its never a cheap option doing it like this you will always find something else that needs doing. i did when i was doing my touring

[zaust]

Engine and box although 2.0 box is a close ratio to the sport box. Prop is fine. Diff might need changing. Rear brakes can always be done after if your not happy with them, and there is plenty of trailing arms disc set ups around.

[town325i]

the 2.0ltr prop is only any good if your using the 2.0ltr gearbox if not its a 2.5prop you will need

[mrLEE30]

the 320 also has smaller suspension componants (think its the struts are not the larger 51mm type) but i doubt it will make too much difference for normal driving. as pointed out above the 320 has rear drums but again for normal use not an issue (unless the 320 was specced with ABS in which case it will have rear disks)

thus at a minimum you will need only the engine and throttle body, and best bet is to swap the ECU too (or change the 320 chip to a zone chip), you may also need the exhaust system as some 320 have different stud patterns but sheck this, if they are the same then the 320 exhaust on a 325 engine will not be much of a problem (it may sap a little power but under normal conditions not an issue) as pointed above the 320 has a different gearbox (the getrag 240 i think where as 325 normally has the 260) but they are more then strong enough to accept the 325. the 320 will have a smaller diff but unless you are really leathering it it should last quite a while, the ratio may not suit however, it will be good for acceleration but not for cruising.

but if you have a donor car then swap the front suspension strut, full engine/box/prop/diff/ECU, rear trailing arms with disks and all the rear brake parts.

good luck

mrlee

[Morat]

As has been said many times before, the best place to start is with a 320i touring - then you won't need to swap the suspension/brakes.

[pacerpete]

As has been said many times before, the best place to start is with a 320i touring - then you won't need to swap the suspension/brakes.

If you want a 325, the only place to start is with a 325. By the time you factor in buying all the 325 bits and the work involved in changing it all over you will have spent more than the price of buying a proper one in the first place.

[Morat]

That too.

[Nay]

As has been said many times before, the best place to start is with a 320i touring - then you won't need to swap the suspension/brakes.

Or a cabby??

If you want a 325, the only place to start is with a 325. By the time you factor in buying all the 325 bits and the work involved in changing it all over you will have spent more than the price of buying a proper one in the first place.

So true.

I decided to buy a banger of a 325 rather than go through the hassle of changing my 320i. The 325i is a bit of a banger, but all i have to replace stuff, and more stuff to make it nice. But i have all the fundamental parts already. 51mm Struts, rear disks, ABS, 2.5L manual engine, sport seats etc. It wasn't cheap considering the condition, but so far under a good inspection, no rust (in bad places)..

Basically your best bet is wait, and get a 325i. Just get one that can be fixed.