Upgrade 316 or swap out

[BristolE30]

Hey guys

Just wondering if the 316 is a good for car down the line to engine swap, upgrade etc or if it’s just less hassle to buy a 320 etc.

I’ve heard that the suspension etc in 316 was not quite up to it for the bigger engines

Wisdom appreciated

[belozw]

Hey, I also have an 316 and the only difference with an 325 is that the 316 does not have rear sway bar, and about the brakes; 316 have non ventilated front discs and rear drums.
Now I have on my 316 the trailing arms with the rear disk brakes from an 325i, and I am looking for a rear sway bar.

Also, I would like to put a good m20b25. So, if you can put an M20 or M50 in it!

[Cloggy Saint]

Not just the brakes, the front suspension will also need to be upgraded to M20 spec to deal with the extra weight.

[belozw]

Not just the brakes, the front suspension will also need to be upgraded to M20 spec to deal with the extra weight.

Yeah, you are rigth! From 45mm shock absorbers to 51mm ones. Rigth?

[Cloggy Saint]

Correct.

[BristolE30]

Hey, I also have an 316 and the only difference with an 325 is that the 316 does not have rear sway bar, and about the brakes; 316 have non ventilated front discs and rear drums.
Now I have on my 316 the trailing arms with the rear disk brakes from an 325i, and I am looking for a rear sway bar.

IMG_20190629_212307.jpg
IMG_20190618_220525.jpg

Also, I would like to put a good m20b25. So, if you can put an M20 or M50 in it!

Nice one man, looks nice. Well done.

Good to know

[RB2]

If its a clean shell defiantly upgrade it. The bolt ons are easy to do if you can work some spanners.

If its not clean then maybe a 320i is an easier route.

Brakes and Struts are better on the 320. Also I am fairly sure it'll have a rear ARB. If you plan on using an M5# engine you can use the flywheel and starter from the 320. Also the coding plug in the Dash will be 6pot and work with an engine swap, if you use your 4 pot you'll need to find a coding plug.

Mine is a pretty clean 90k mile shell which started out as a poverty spec 316i Auto with hub caps and basic spec seats. pretty much all up to spec now but its an ever evolving thing if you catch the bug

[BristolE30]

If its a clean shell defiantly upgrade it. The bolt ons are easy to do if you can work some spanners.

If its not clean then maybe a 320i is an easier route.

Brakes and Struts are better on the 320. Also I am fairly sure it'll have a rear ARB. If you plan on using an M5# engine you can use the flywheel and starter from the 320. Also the coding plug in the Dash will be 6pot and work with an engine swap, if you use your 4 pot you'll need to find a coding plug.

Mine is a pretty clean 90k mile shell which started out as a poverty spec 316i Auto with hub caps and basic spec seats. pretty much all up to spec now but its an ever evolving thing if you catch the bug

Okay thanks for the advice man. Damn everyone seems to advanced at this, where do you even learn this kind of stuff?

I’m keen to do all this to my E30, but just often have no idea where to start!