Which engine conversion?

[steveoz32]

Hi Guys,

I've been looking to drop a 325I lump in my 320I. I called Etech motorsport the other day, as I am a bit short on time and asked them how much to fit the lump into my car. They said a straight swap, no oil cooler, no ecu / maf etc would cost around 450+ in labour only exc any parts. They also said it would run fine you don't need any of the other bits?? :O!

Anyway, Ajec have offered up their services to transplant a 3.5 lump in if needbe for a similar labour cost.

My total budget is 1000.00 atm to get an engine and get it in the car and running. So i'm not too sure what to go with or where to go. Something like the 325 swap I could probably do myself, I have replaced engines in cars before, but only with the same lump. It sounds like minimal work is needed on the 325 swap so I dont mind doing that if I can find the time. The 3.5 would be another story.

Anyway, if anyone has an idea on other possible conversion could be done with this cost, or places which will do a good job for a good price, please let me know.

Cheers!

[stevetigger]

£1k

I would do an M52 conversion yourself!

[steveoz32]

What lump is the M50 matey and what is involved?

[Gouki]

M50 or M52 from the E36 models.

[steveoz32]

2.5 24v jobbie then?

[bootyman]

Will you lot stop showing off and speak in proper English. All this M52 & M99 crap dont wash. Just say a 325 engine from a E36, or a 3.5 engine from a M5, then us normal people can follow the thread

[steveoz32]

Is the one in the E34 5 series the same? 525i sport etc? Saw a cracking looking one on Autotrader the other day for 1200 on an L plate with full M5 kit etc. I would have actually bought that as a project instead if they wern't so lardy!

[tonyppe]

on a L plate? ah, a learner hehe

[jmc330i]

If you go for the M50 (2.5 24v) conversion, you would be better off getting the M50 from the E34 525i because it already has the correct sump for the E30 - the E36 325i sump (and oil pick up pipe) needs changing to the E34 items anyway.

I would of thought the 2.5 24v or 3.5 could be done for less than £1k and most on here are DIY conversions, so you will have all the info you need, if you decide to go DIY.

[Splondike]

Will you lot stop showing off and speak in proper English. All this M52 & M99 crap dont wash. Just say a 325 engine from a E36, or a 3.5 engine from a M5, then us normal people can follow the thread

Lol Ben - check out this page
http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/enumber.html
or this one
http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/6cyl.htm

Steveoz32

I think by then an E34 2.5 would have the M50 in it...

Mark

[stevetigger]

Thats why I said M52 with a budget of £1k

[glenn]

Anyway, Ajec have offered up their services to transplant a 3.5 lump in if needbe for a similar labour cost.
would cost around 450+ in labour only

that sounds a bit cheap to me?

[steveoz32]

Dont forget that would be with me supplying everything needed, that's labour only, they charge 45 p/h so about 10 hours work. I guess it's feasable if they have done it before and have all the bits.

They also quoted 5-6 hours for a 325i swap.

The 2.5 24v sounds good, has anyone got any links for info on doing this conversion? What's needed and how long roughly it 'should' take?

Cheers

[steveoz32]

Ello again chaps, just as a thought, what are etech going on about running a 325i lump on standard 320i equipment with no oil cooler? They were convinced it would work fine?

Cheers!

[Widge]

It would run fine as far as I know, the oil cooler is a bit unnessicary unless you are going to drive like a German on an Autobahn.
They would need to change the chip in the ECU to a 2.5 item, but you could just get a chip off ant for that.

[jmc330i]

The 2.5 24v sounds good, has anyone got any links for info on doing this conversion? What's needed and how long roughly it 'should' take?

Do a search on here for M50 or M52, theres a long thread 'M50 developments' that has most of the info. Theres quite few threads on the conversions now, so you should find all thats needed.

How long? It all depends on you Im afraid. If you plan it well, do your research and get all the bits sorted first, it will still take longer than you first thought

It wont be done in a day or weekend unlike the M20 2.5, so if you need a quick fix and are DIYing it, then the M50 2.5 is probably not the way to go. If you can do without your car or have another to drive in the mean time, then it would be well worth it - just make sure you can insure it first

[steveoz32]

The 2.5 24v sounds good, has anyone got any links for info on doing this conversion? What's needed and how long roughly it 'should' take?

Do a search on here for M50 or M52, theres a long thread 'M50 developments' that has most of the info. Theres quite few threads on the conversions now, so you should find all thats needed.

How long? It all depends on you Im afraid. If you plan it well, do your research and get all the bits sorted first, it will still take longer than you first thought

It wont be done in a day or weekend unlike the M20 2.5, so if you need a quick fix and are DIYing it, then the M50 2.5 is probably not the way to go. If you can do without your car or have another to drive in the mean time, then it would be well worth it - just make sure you can insure it first

Well, I'm looking for a decent increase in power, never having driven a 325i to compare to my 320i I wouldn't know if it will be what I'm looking for or not. It was always the logical way to go, but I'm wondering, if I am going through the hastle of getting the old engine out and putting a new one in, why not go for that little bit extra!

Between me and the missus we have four cars including the E30, the E30 is tax'd and MOT'd but is just a toy really, well that's why I bought it!

If anyone has any links on the 325i to 320i conversion that would be great, i'm guessing most things go back in the same place, but I am wondering about where the oil cooler goes.

Cheers!

[jmc330i]

Well, I'm looking for a decent increase in power, but I'm wondering, if I am going through the hastle of getting the old engine out and putting a new one in, why not go for that little bit extra!

Sounds like you need a 2.5 M50 or 3.5 M30 then

If you can do without the E30 for a while, then its got to be worth it.

If you source all the parts for the M50 conversion first, then you shouldnt have any problems getting it done in a reasonable time - Off the top of my head, the only real issue and fabrication work will be for the exhaust manifolds and system, the other bits are 'off the shelf' mostly from the dealer or a breakers yard.

Im not that clued up on the 3.5 M30 conversion, but I think you need to make up engine mounts as well as the exhaust work. A search for 'M30' should bring up the info.

Both conversions will have their headaches when it comes to wiring, but theres enough people on here that Im sure will help out.


On the E30 325i, the oil cooler sits behind the front valance. This pic is a bit dark, but you can just make out the plastic grill below the number plate, thats where the oil cooler sits...

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Will you lot stop showing off and speak in proper English. All this M52 & M99 crap dont wash. Just say a 325 engine from a E36, or a 3.5 engine from a M5, then us normal people can follow the thread

Here here!!! I struggle with M20 and M40 stuff too!!! Well said. It's like I've got that reading a writing gremlin sat on my sholder from th tv adverts and was afraid to speak up!!!

We need to get the speak clear english campaign involved hahaha!!!

[Simon13]

if u can swap and engine u can fit a 2.5 lump

all u need is ECU,engine,gearbox and diff, all bolt in and out. The 320 and 325i lump are the same size and weight just slightly different looks and power wise!

As it's a cab it has disk brakes on the rear and the larger 51mm struts on the front?!

just need to find a good 2.5 lump with a sport gearbox and a diff of your choice 3.91 3.73 3.64

It's a good weekends work forsure

[Jimbob]

10 hours to fit an M30 in fully running condition? Pick up an 3.5 M30 and pay £450 labour then find yourself with change left over.