325i Engine into 316 lux

Post Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:14 pm

The new diff and suspension is in, i was relieved to discover the 316 driveshafts were compatible with the 325 diff, they look universal which is good for finding spares. The new suspension looks great and the wheels are all bolted on and there is no real reason to take them back off now.

Post Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:28 pm

Watching with interest, great report so far

Post Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:29 pm

GREAT NEWS!! IT LIVES

I ran the engine for the 1st time in the new car today and it cramked over for about 5-10 seconds then it roared to life and it was loud (No exhaust from the downpipe back) lol.

No Blue/Black/White smoke and it wasn't hunting as my mate said i think he meant it was idling steady and lovely. So thankyou guys for helping me this far.

I know i havn't posted for a while for that i apologise i've had a lot going on here with little to no time spent on the car but i'm back into full swing.
All i have left to do to complete the car is a new trackrod end, nut to go on the wishbone to wheel hub bolt, the exhaust which arrives today and some fabrication work in the engine bay. The coolant reservoir tank needs to be secured but there are no securing points so there being made up next week along with a modified powersteering tank bracket as i didn't use the powersteering system from the 325 and the air filter housing has no securing points so need to manufacture some fixings for that. Once all that is done all i need is Tax & Insurance and i'll be on the road.

Tax i have to get last (obviously), the car has just gone through an MOT but with the 316 engine so do i need to re-MOT it with the new engine in? The V5 was sent off 2 weeks ago to declare the new engine. I've got a multicar quote from admiral fully comp - £1400.

I plan to keep my laguna as my daily runner incase the beemer breaks for whatever reason for a couple months maybe then im hoping to sell the laguna and have the beemer converted to gas.

I'll keep you updated...

Post Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:48 pm

If it's between an E30 or a Laguna breaking, i know where I'd place my money!
MOT is perfectly valid for the re-engined car.

Post Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:55 pm

I got the V5 logbook through today and the new engine hasn't been recorded, there asking for an engineers report. How do i get an engineers report?

Post Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:38 pm

Had ago at T-Cutting the car today,

Before T-Cut:

After T-Cut:

Post Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:25 pm

As for the engineers report, might as well ask them what they accept as suitable.
I'd guess an independant MOT garage report or similar.
As the new red paint, top marks!!

Post Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:48 pm

Theres an MOT testing station up the road for me i'll ask them there. I finished T-cutting the whole car today and im amazed at the difference. It looks amazing, There are a few rust pockets developing so i'll have a go at sorting them out before it goes on the road. Even if i have to wait to paint it getting rid of the rust must be a start in the right direction

Post Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:03 pm

The shiny new front end:

Needs a new track rod end:

I had to make a bracket for the relays to sit on:

The suspension gives me a 40mm drop:

The bracket i made to mount the alarm in:

Shiney hood:

Post Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:25 pm

nice work looking good

came up well after a t cut

Post Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:39 pm

I know it's been a while since i been on here but

IT'S FINISHED!!!

I finally finished it with help from a fellow BMW enthusiast and i'm so glad too as the car is great fun. The wheel bearing needed to do but who cares when what you've been imagining for the last 2 months actually happens. Pictures are on the way.