320i - 325i full conversion

[e30bmlover]

hi all, i have got another job for a respectable printing company in norwich, i now have the money for a full 325i conversion. i have spoken to ant and it looks like i have a couple of options...
i need to get hold of a low milage 325i engine (i.e under 100,000 miles)
325i diff, 325 ecu, ........ is that it? any advice for the conversion?

[Brianmoooore]

i need to get hold of a low milage engine (i.e under 100,000 miles)

Only on a BMW forum could you find a statement like that!

There are major differences between a genuine 320i and a genuine 325i.
For a full conversion you would have to change - the engine complete, clutch, gearbox, prop shaft, exhaust, diff, front struts, rear trailing arms with brakes and handbrake cables. The last two won't be needed if the 320 has ABS.

[e30bmlover]

could i get away with, engine,cluch, diff, exhaust, ecu ? are the gear boxes the same ratio?

[Brianmoooore]

could i get away with, engine,cluch, diff, exhaust, ecu ? are the gear boxes the same ratio?

You can get away with engine and ECU, or engine and changing the chip in the ECU, but I wouldn't be happy with rear drums. (Insurance co. mign't be either).
Gear ratios are different - the 320's are better - not to far away from the 325 sport box, but it's weaker.

[liam012]

is the 320 really a weaker box? i mean surely its up to a 2.7 conversion? the getrags are pretty bullet proof thought- i know andymagic ran his with a 320 box but i think he sold it then. maybe i'm wrong now maybe it is weak but i am just suprised it is som much weaker thats all.

[Brianmoooore]

i've no idea how much weaker it is, and, to be honest, no hard evidence that it is. Only what I've seen others write.
How many of you out there are running 320 boxes on engines with much more torque and power than a standard M20B20, and, more importantly, how many of you have had problems.

[jonb]

320 box is smaller casing. but its still strong enough, ive heard of them failing, but ive also heard of 2.5 gearboxes failing. all probably due to poor maintanence.

2 litre getrag is actually longer/higher ratios than the 2.5 box. its the diff that gives it the low gearing. i had a 320i once, fitted with a 2.7 and a 3.25 from a dogleg 323i. fucking gearing on that was unreal, 115 in 3rd, 140 in 4th. i really liked the gearing, made a nice cruiser, but had no problems going through the ratios due to the high tune of the engine.

i say keep the 320 box and prop in there, but change the diff to a 3.64 from a 2.5(£40). engine drops straight in. there are a few factors with regards to year of engine and year of your car, but these questions will come up as and when you go for the conversion.

[e30bmlover]

thanks for all your input guys..... i will keep you posted.