Engine swap help please!!

[320stu]

Hi all, Been regesterd on site for a while now and at last have got a E30
Its a '89 318i touring (no pics yet)
The engine is a bit smokey and I wanted to know if it was easy and cheap to put a 320 or 325 lump in it?? or would I be better off just putting in another 318 in it?? Please help!!
Thanks stu

[320stu]

Can anyone help??

[visionz]

unsure how hard it is to change from a 4 cyl to a 6.. but i changed my 320 to a 325 with no hassle at all.. (well almost) to keep it simple i'd just swap it for another 318.. piss easy.

[jmc330i]

318i to 325i is dead easy, took me a day and a half (on an 89 touring ).

Its basically take all the 318i stuff out and refit with the 325i stuff. There is a thread in the engine conversion section about doing just this. You will need the engine, loom, ECU, gearbox, prop and diff from the 325i.

As yours is a touring, only the front springs will need changing for the 6cyl items, although Im still running the 4cyl springs and other than being a bit bouncy its ok, they are lowered 4cyl springs though.

Wiring should just be plug and play at the round plug (C101) up by the fusebox.

The only hassle is the 318i wont have the mounts for 325i header tank and the AFM mounts are in the wrong place. Some home made brackets will sort that.

This is just a quick reply, but I dont think Ive forgotten anything. Oh and if youre going to change to 6cyl, go for the 325i motor

[fuzzy]

ive never done it personally but other folk have said its an easy swap to 325.i wouldnt go with the 320 as if your going to the trouble of replacing an engine you might as well go the whole way rather than a half measure,likewise with a like for like swap.you must be the longest serving newbie in town i also have a couple of unneeded bits lying around in my garage that im willing to donate to a good cause if someone pays postage from my old 325 engine.i have a motronic ecu,starter motor and alternator taking up valuable space

[320stu]

you must be the longest serving newbie in town

Yes I joined 3 days before I sold my E30 and got a E36
But Im back with a E30 touring Only a 318 and it needs a few little bits and bobs but its sooooo much better than the E36

Any way all thanks for the advice, think I might just put another 318 lump in it (only the wife using it!) And get myself either a 318is or a 6cyl e30 to play about with

Thanks for the offer of the bits fuzzy nice to know there are still nice people about