318iS upgrade to 320iS

[pomebastard]

Anyone have any experience of doing this? Not to keen on LHD. So upgrading the engine in the 318iS to a 320iS seems the way to go.

[k130]

If I were you I wouldnt bother putting the 320i engine into the 318i unless everything else i.e. brakes, suspension, drivetrain, fueling etc... are all in place already as the two cars are subtly different.

Of course if you do have uprated brakes and suspension then a better bet would be to find more power in the 318i engine -making better use of the lower weignt of the car -turbo/supercharger perhaps?

[Adam318i]

He's got a 318iS not a std 318i, so i guess it will have discs all round and m-tec susp.

[Karan]

u will have m,anifold to steering clearance problems so manifold will need modding!=PRICEY!

engines are around Ԛ£2k as well

ur ebtter of with a m50 engine from a e36 325 that has 200hp, althoughheavier than the 4 cyl engine. these m50s are cheap too

Karan

Karan

[Dom]

isn't a 320 slower than an iS anyway?

[6potWil6pot]

I thnk he means the 320iS with the S14 engine shortened to 2.0

[Dom]

well that makes more sense

[Boots_Walker]

would you use the 2.3l motor?

[pomebastard]

Thanks Guys, yeah this is the 318i twin cam engine I'm talking about and replacing it with th S14 out of an Italian (stallion) 320iS.

Whay I have found out is that if I do it I'll need the complete drive train. Engine, gearbox and diff.

Just changing the engine isn't going to release the full potential of the 2 litre twin cam engine. So...

What I've yet tyo check are the differences in the suspension set up.

Plus the dreaded exhaust manaifold issue.

So maybe just living with LHD might be the second best route.

Any other ideas... keep em coming... Cheers...

[Jimbob]

Just wondering, have you got a complete 320iS to rip apart then?

Seems like an expensive conversion really for what it is, but definately unique I'll give ya that.

You're in Poole right?

[Simon13]

320is's used m-tech suspension as used on our 325 sports and 318is's.

Also the brakes are the same on all 3 cars so really, it's just your manifold issue you would have to worry about all the rest will be a bolt off bolt on affair to my knowledge

[Moofles]

wouldn't think he'd have to change the gearbox but maybe the diff as he would be on iS-style 4.1 ratio wouldn't he, and a 3.73 or 3.91 would be more suitable for the 320iS power

[Karan]

surelyt the iS needs an m3 3.25 ratio diff to compensate for the dogleg box????

[Moofles]

he doesn't have the 320iS gearbox tho does he? i thought he has the 318iS gearbox, that will be ok won't it

[Karan]

engine and box wont join if that is the case

[jono]

i am after one of these 2.0l 4 cylinder engines where did you get this one / how can i get hold of one, do you want to px ot for a M42 1.8 engine

[CaesarBob]

If you swap the M42 for an S14 you'll definitely need the gearbox and diff. The Getrag 240 box from the iS won't fit the S14 and your probably gonna need the diff as well. 320iS' ran a 3.45 diff as standard so if you leave the small case 4.10 in, it'll be a nightmare to drive and probably won't last long.

As already said the suspension and brakes will be the same spec. Only major headache should be the manifold clearance.

Good luck.

[pomebastard]

Guys... I really appreciate all your comments. It's helped loads..

No I havn't bought any bits as yet. Still doing the rearch first to figure what's what and if it's really worth doing.

I'll keep you posted on progress... cheeeers...

[Simon]

I'll keep you posted on progress... cheeeers...

Sad bastard....

[billgatese30]

[kevin316i]

It might be easier (and cheaper) to convert a 320iS to RHD. A few E30 M3s were converted by Birds UK using 325i bits.

[Simon13]

It might be easier (and cheaper) to convert a 320iS to RHD. A few E30 M3s were converted by Birds UK using 325i bits.

And they are sh!te compared to the LHD cars

[Jhonno]

if your gonna buy an m3 or 320iS the LHD is part of the experience plus the much quicker steering rack!

[kevin316i]

That is true, a RHD conversion won't have the same steering response or brake response either. But some people believe the compromise is acceptable, otherwise these conversions wouldn't have existed.