320is engine (nearly-M3) into 318is

[Yorl]

I blew my M42, and I've found this engine. What kind of gearbox should I use in there?? Do I need the M3 gearbox, or can I use another one??

[E30Mark]

Your going to need a different gear box, diff, prop, wiring, ecu.... could be a nice project, but it will be alot easier & cheaper to replace it with a M42 lump

[Yorl]

I've got the complete ECU and wiring, and changing the rear diff is no problem. I only need to know if my M42 gearbox will bolt on the 20is, or I'll need another one...
Of course, once fitted, it's gonna stay with 14" steel wheels....

[Sjoerd320i]

nope you can only use the m3 box on there cuz it's normal m3 engine only 2.0 instead of 2.3

[Geeman]

Yup... you'll need an M3 gearbox and prop.

Speak to PacerPete... he might have one or get hold of one for you. Alternativley, give Wayne at German Cars a ring, he deals in 320iS's...

Giles.

[pomebastard]

yeah... I checked this conversion out with Wayne last year.

You will need 320iS:

. engine plus associated electronic control components
. gearbox
. prop shaft
. diff

There's also another issue. Because the 318iS is RHD and the engine comes from a LHD car the exhaust manifold may interfere with the steering column. Result you may find yourself going straight on instead or taking the corner. Do not try this at home.

What the exact fix is for this and the cost ,I don't know but it may involve modifying the exhaust manifold in some way.

A nice conversion. But... do bear in mind that 318iS' are in fairly short supply. To some this is a rare car and may become more desirable as time rolls on.

Hope it helps.

Cheers.

Loz

[pomebastard]

...btw while I'm here, one thought that did occur to me... what's involved increasing the engine capacity to 2.0 or more?

Since you've still got to rebuild the engine. Plus, the cost of all the 320iS major components will be around Ԛ£1,500 to Ԛ£2,000 if I recall correctly! Then there's fitting etc etc...

Anyway some food for thought, perhaps.

Loz