late 318i auto to early 325i manual

Post Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:33 pm

Its for 1990 vert
What is required for conversion?
engine and box
pedal box
diff
ecu

Are the mounts the same and also do i need to change prop

also any pointers for this conversions??

Thanks for your help

Post Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:53 pm

You will have to change prop the auto ones are shorter for a start and you will need the engine wiring loom and the exhaust.

ED

Post Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:07 pm

will the diff housing be the same size and also is there anything i should no about the loom?

Post Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:46 pm

If I was you I would use a loom form a late engine so you can use the 173 ecu instead of the 073 ecu there a couple of sensors that would need to be fitted and some one will tell you which ones.
The 173 ecu is better to chip plus the old 073 ecu's can play up a bit.
Its up to you but it may be worth considering.

ED

Post Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:21 pm

are the driveshafts the same ? also if i keep the same loom and ecu is it just plug and go?
Thanks for your help

Post Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:32 pm

The drive shafts will be the same. If you keep the loom that comes with the engine you will be ok.

ED

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:45 am

Don't remove the loom from either engine. Swap them over with the looms still on.
318 diff is small case and not as strong as a mdium case 325 one, but will probably be OK.
318 cab diff is too high a ratio though for a 325 engine.

Post Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:02 pm

At the prop end of the box thereis a a bar that i fink is to locate the gear stick in postion and i dont have the mounting bracket (if any) that i need does any one no how much and where i can purchase one from thanks for your help so far guys every think youve said so fars bin spot on!!

Post Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:39 pm

no worries about the bracket i made one my self!! Do i need to change fuel pump? from the 2.5

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:22 pm

will the part of the loom that doesnt connect to the ecu plug straight in and work or will i have to change the pins?? also does anyone have diagram saying what wires go where as scraped the shell with 2.5 fuse box?

please please help!!!!

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:37 pm

On my 318i to 325i conversion, the round C101 plug (up by the fusebox) was just a plug and play affair.

But mine was a manual to manual and late to late engine. I dont know what differences (if any) there would be at the C101 plug, going from a late 318i auto to an early 325i manual.

TBH, I would of thought they will just plug and play, but will probably get told otherwise by one of the wiring gods on here.

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:54 pm

already tryed just plugn it in but not working .there is also 14 wires from fuse box and 11 from car loom so not sure which to eliminate as i have scraped the car already.

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:01 pm

Mine has 13 from the fusebox and 17 from engine loom. Still plug and play and everything that should work does work.

Whats the problem? Engine wont start, turnover?

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:20 pm

doesent sound like anything is turning on .i have the stater motor turning but i cant get the fuel pump to work or anything else. also where would my fuel pump be located as its not in front of back passenger wheel?

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:29 pm

318i - fuel pump should be in the tank, access from under the rear seat.

When you say you cant get the fuel pump working or anything else, what do mean by anything else?

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:35 pm

do i need to change pump? when i turn ignition on you dont here the usual buzz as if the brains not switching on

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:47 pm

The 318i pump is the same as the 325i pump so it should be fine. Thinking about it, I think the early 325i had a twin pump system but using the single pump shouldnt be a problem.

The engine does turnover, but nothing else happens - no attempt to fire?

Do any dash lights come on? Just wondering if you have connected the power cable from the fusebox to the battery?

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:17 pm

lights are on on the dash but i havent connected the fuel lines as trying to find the one that has presure for fuel. it turns starter motor but tats it also i have 3 fuel lines and two conections for them will this affect anything?

Post Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:46 pm

The fuel line from the filter goes direct to the fuel rail, the other goes to the pressure regulator and is the return.

The third is a breather pipe and is left tucked into a hole on the suspension turret/inner wing.

Connect them up and see if it starts.