Best swap for my 320i ?

[GooneriC]

Hi everyone , first of all let me say i am very new to E30s having bought my 320i only 2 months ago.
I have a 03/1986 320i with a standard M20B20 engine.

I'm wondering whats the best and easiet engine swap for my car , and how much it would cost for me to get it done, and how much changes i would have to make.

[e30-EVN]

the best bang for buck on a budget has to be the m20b25 (2.5)....

170bhp straight away, and being an early car it would be the higher compression lump that you would put in! ive had both high and later low comp 325's and although they both put out the same power the high comp engines just feel faster with a bit more brutal power delivery

have a gander through the parts for sale section mate and make notes of how much things would cost...
engine
loom
ecu
box
prop ect ect

you may need rear discs aswel as iirc pre facelft cars with no abs didnt have rear discs
easiest swap for you imo

[GooneriC]

Already have rear discs , being sorted out by the mech as i type.
I've already tried to source an M20B25 acting on the advice of my mechanic but just wanted to get as many options and opinions as possible.

[GooneriC]

What about my current box? Would a b25 fit straight onto my current gearbox without any problems?

[e30-EVN]

ah thats a bonus then mate, 1 thing to tick off the list needed

there are many options available to you but the m20b25 is by far the simplest and cheapest mate........

[e30-EVN]

yes you could use your box, i think you would have to use the 320 front prop section as it is slightly longer, but most of the m20b25 packages ive seen for sale on here have included gearbox so yours would make a good spare.

last complete package i saw for sale on here was about £275 iirc

[Jim320i]

Where you based fella? A few local zoners selling something might be lurking about.

[GooneriC]

I'm based in Barbados at the moment

[Speedtouch]

Easiest swap would be to put in an M20B23 (or crank only) out of the 323i, if you could find one - this gives 140bhp. It's only the crank stroke that differs - the bore is the same as the 320i!

Don't forget, on a 320i of this age, it will have analogue L-Jetronic engine management, so to convert to M20B25, you'll also need the Motronic setup, which involves converting the wiring loom.

See mattyb's thread on this:
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 78&start=0

[Jim320i]

Aha, doubtful any fraggers on here are close by! Now you've said it, you mentioned there is about 5 E30 there that you have seen (I remember your welcome thread now) I think you'll struggle to find any E30 engines so would look at something a bit later, i'm not that clued up on them all but I bet there are loads of E36's knocking about?

[GooneriC]

Yeh there are more e36s and E34s around .
I dont mind shipping an engine in from UK , or even getting it sent to a UK address.