2001 323ci engine in swap.

[Jordanjames]

Just got my hands on a 2001 3 series 323ci 2.5.

Any information on past threads or has anyone got any experience putting one of these in a e30?

Any advice on what else i will need?

contemplating sending both cars to quarry motors and letting the lads there do it but labour costs are looking at around £1500.

any help or links would be greatly appreciated.

I know there are better engines for straight swaps and i have done plenty of reading but i have had this car given and would like to utilise it rather than spend more money.

[Brianmoooore]

In an E30 what? Makes a lot of difference as to whether suspension and brake work is required depending on whether you start with something like a lowly small engined saloon or something like a 325i or a touring?
Using what gearbox? The one attached to 323 or an E30 one. Again, makes a considerable difference.

[Jordanjames]

using everything from the 323. so gearbox and dif.

And the car is a 316i saloon h reg, I understand i will have to upgrade brakes and suspension. this needs to be done anyway as the car has been full stripped back and welded up and painted. when doing this we found most of the bushed and brake lines where shot to pieces.

[Brianmoooore]

The 323 gearbox has a 1:1 fifth gear, whereas an E30 gearbox has a 1:1 fourth gear, with an overdrive fifth gear. The 323 diff. won't fit an E30, and, if you use the 323 'box, an E30 diff. ratio won't be suitable - you'll effectively have a useless gear below first gear, and no fifth gear. There are diffs. available with suitable ratios that fit an E30, but these don't come cheap, and a few suitable ratios that can be built into an E30 diff. case, but this is a skilled job.

[Jordanjames]

thanks for the reply, how do you learn about all this?

I think i am doing a lot of reading but obviously not enough.

I think that i am going to pass it over to quarry to sort out for me. the lads there are decent and although it will cost i dont think this is a job for me.

thanks again!

[aimlessrock]

I don't know quarry motors or their work but If I were looking at doing such a conversion I would be contacting a zoner called DanThe, he is no stranger to such conversions and his work is highly regarded.

For my 2 cents unless this 2001 model has extensive history and the engine well maintained etc it will likely need a full overhaul once its removed (seems crazy not to do it then) so I would set the budget a little higher.

HTH