engine swap advise please

Post Thu May 26, 2005 5:06 pm

I currently have a 320 Auto cabriolet 88 model chrome bumber and now considering an engine conversion to a 325 whilst still keeping it as an auto.

My question is, am i better of getting a complete car (325 auto)
Would it need to be another Cab' or would i be able to use all the parts from a saloon/coupe.

I'm assume that i will need Obviously the ENGINE!, Ecu,TB and airflow meter.
Should i also change the brakes, diff and gearbox, or am i making too much work for myself ( like the idea of switchable auto

).
Any help would be much appreciated.

Mac

Post Fri May 27, 2005 9:14 pm

Easiest way to get the bits is as a complete 325 rust bucket. That way you can test the engine your getting, be certain you have all the parts you need, and end up with a few usefull spares.
Doesn't need to be a cab, doesn't really need to be an auto.
You'll probably want to change the diff, and if the 325 brakes/suspension is all good ,then change that as well.

Post Mon May 30, 2005 5:33 pm

Thanks Brianmoooore, what about the Ecu and the diff, as i want to keep mine as an auto, would these bits be ok to use from a manual 325?

Post Mon May 30, 2005 8:41 pm

Ideal diff would be something between your 320 auto diff (4.1?), and the 325 manual diff (3.64?), but theres no reason why you shouldn't try the one you have first and see how you like it. It's not affected by the rest of the work, and nothing needs to come off that you've alresdy had off to change it.
Don't think there's any significant difference between the engine ECUs of manuals and ordinary autos, but I'm not sure in the case of the switchable auto.

Post Tue May 31, 2005 5:36 pm

Why not just do a 2.7 conversion, using the 320i head and the 525e bottom end?

Post Tue May 31, 2005 7:05 pm

Mmmmm, now you've got me thinking chu346, sounds appealing, have you carried out this conversion, if so , what bits would i need?
Been a while since my mechanic days so need the most straight forward conversion is needed, also want to keep the beemer as an auto as i'm getting lazy in my old age !!

I'm just after more power than my standard 320i, don't want to sell it as it's a spot on car with original history.
Was looking at the 2.5 conversion then bolting on larger TB and chip from ant, but 2.7 idea sounds nice.

Any more info with a shopping list would be nice.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Post Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:49 pm

I'm currently in the process of doing this, its just the funds letting me down. You'll need:
525eta short block
320i head (Gas flowed)
320i cam or uprated cam (to make it worth it)
325 inlet mainfold,injectors etc
zone 2.7 chip
and i'm going to replace all the bits that normally go wrong eg. bearings, oil pump, water pump, gaskets etc.