LHD Engine into RHD car

[GooneriC]

Guys since its more economical for me to source parts and other bits from the USA , i was wondering how straightforward is it to use an engine from a Left Hand Drive setup car into a RHD European model.
I would assume the exhaust manifold / headers would be a problem , but what else if anything would i need to consider.

[Cloggy Saint]

An engine is an engine, it makes no difference what side the steering wheel is on.

[DanThe]

Thats pretty much the only thing I can think of TBH, if you are still going for M52 then I think the engine loom is slightly different but not that it would cause problems.

[GooneriC]

Thanks Dan , i would have gone for your setup straight away but the freight for everything from UK to here was just too much ...over GBP600.
Shipping everything from the US would come to USD300-400 , thats a massive saving for me.
About the loom , wouldnt the ECU from an LHD model be mounted to the left as well? If so that would need some changes too.

[jmc330i]

About the loom , wouldnt the ECU from an LHD model be mounted to the left as well? If so that would need some changes too.

If the E36 328i uses the same loom layout as the E36 M3, then the ecu is always on the passenger side - the looms differ between lhd and rhd. A lhd E36 loom should put the ecu nicely in the stock position in a rhd E30.

I know of 2 people who have spent out on new lhd looms from BMW to make a factory clean conversion.

[GooneriC]

Yes i was thinking the same, but it seems some American models have the ECU in glovebox , which is to the right of the car..so shouldnt be a big problem

[jmc330i]

As I said, if the rest of the E36 range follows the M3 wiring layout, all lhd models will have the ECU on the glovebox side (to the right of the car). If you can only get your hands on lhd E36 models, it should make getting the wiring neat much easier.

If I was to do it again, I'd get my mates in Germany to find me a lhd engine loom.