M3 engine into my 325is

[325isBMW1988]

My car's loan is almost up and i want to drop in an M3 engine and 5-speed tranny into my 1988 325is automatic. I'm just curious if anyone else has ever done this and how much $$$ and what parts i would need?

........im getting butterflies just thinking about how my BMW would be with an M3 engine!

[witeshark]

Have you located an engine source? This would be no small job... Could possibly cost more than the finished car would be worth.

[german-speed-demon]

are you talking an e30 ///m3 or an e36 ///m3? either way it can get expensive, just be prepared.

[silversled]

no....you can't do that is my guess...that won't work...nope...many reasons

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

Originally Posted by silversled

no....you can't do that is my guess...that won't work...nope...many reasons

^ why not? I have SEEN this done..... I donno if this guy has the Abilitys or Cash(as he has a loan on an e30) Just so you know just the M3 engine(e36 or e30) will Cost more then a good condition e30......

[drz]

I would expect that you'd need to get the transmission off an E36 m3 or 328 also.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

^ yep and the slave cylinder and an s50b30us or an OBD 1 swapped s52b32.... and a tree house racing adapter

[coolvegase34]

How does someone have a loan on a 1988 3 series?

[87325]

probably buy here pay here

[325isBMW1988]

lol i have a loan on en e30 because i work part-time at a grocery store! i figured it would be expensive but i would rather drop in an m3 engine than get a whole different bimmer.......im thinking maybe ill just drop in another m20 engine but get alot of upgrades for it....is that probably a better route for me?

thanks for all the input everyone!

[drz]

^^ Read gotKRAUT's M50 swap thread.

[silversled]

so it appears to me, after much conversation is that you really can't do that reasonably..right? I mean, heck, you could put a Ferrari engine in there if you really, really wanted to....

[drz]

Originally Posted by silversled

so it appears to me, after much conversation is that you really can't do that reasonably..right? I mean, heck, you could put a Ferrari engine in there if you really, really wanted to....

Has been done several times. Whether it is reasonable depends on the owners goals and expectations. In general, people who are serious about this swap find it very much worth the money, time, and effort.

[bmw_san_diego]

i've seen it done but the ecu has to be rewired. After it was done drove just like an m3. =D

[silversled]

I suppose my final point on this issue would be....it would far cheaper to sell your non M 325is and take that money and apply it to the purchase of a real M3 than to try to do what you are proposing, as that wouldn't work anyway.