318/325 ?'s

[Bubbagump]

Hello all,
I do not have a BMW. I know don't hang me, just hear me out. My last project car was a 91 Toyota MR2 Turbo. I sold it so that I could start on another project. But as of yet I have not decided on a car. I have always liked the E36 cars. And though I have pondered doing a million other things I really do like the idea of doing an E36 project because i want a car that look as good to me as my MR2 did and has amazing driving dynamics just like the MR2 did. An E36 325 5 speed coupe is about as perfect a match as I can think, of here is what I want to do. I would like to build a 5 speed 325 turbo. Right off from the start I am planning on buying another block and building it up so that the car can be driven for the 6 months or so that it will take to put together a built engine and custom turbo kit. I am only looking to get about 350whp from the whole thing. Seeing that the car weighs in at about 2800-2900lbs it should get up and fly like the wind. I say only 350whp because a lot of guys in the MR2 world are building cars that push out more than 400whp.
Here comes the question part. I can pick up a 318 cheaper than I can most 325's (duh) But do they use the same 5 speed tranny? Because if they don't than just getting the 325 from the start would be a lot better idea. Is there any other reason for me to just for-go the 318 and buy my 325? Also do you guys have any advice for me?

[Cruzin 323is]

if have the money for it! then GOD BLESS U... along with turbo and things like that.. as we tell all new members... all mods in general got the e36 are VERY EXSPENSIVE!! but with what your saying, is that $$ is no object! so go for it.. and let us know its going..

as to your question... with the 318... if u plan on modding the 318 motor.. its gunna need more money to rebuild.. and takes more to get to full potential... since it only has like 110 HP.. compared to the 325 which has like 180....

[Bubbagump]

Na I would not build but the 318 engine. Too small. I would still want to build up a 325 engine. that's why i am curious about the tranny being the same in both cars. Cause if the tranny is the same than the swap would not be too impossible, but still more then likelly not worth it and I should just get the 325 to start with.

[thekid]

Get the 325i to start with. Here is why. The 318i/is has a different tranny, drive shaft, rear sub frame, front suspension and diff. It would be a head ache to replace all of that or cutom fab enough to make do with the 318i/is. So for simplicity sake get the 325i.

One thing to think about, is get the 92 325i. The 92 had tab mounted sway bars. Meaning that the sway bars are mounted to the struts as opposed to the body giving better handling but a noticably worse ride (hence the change). This is unless of course you have serious plans for the suspension as well. In which case any year pre 96 would be good. I recommend against 96 or newer because they changed the computer to make it more restricive, thereby harder to mod. However, converting from OBDII (the 96+ comp) back to OBDI (the 95 and older) can end up with you having more HP. Or taking a few parts from a 96+ engine and putting it on a 95 or older engine can also give you the same results.

[Dudesky_E36]

Originally posted by thekid@Jul 21 2005, 02:40 AM
The 92 had tab mounted sway bars. Meaning that the sway bars are mounted to the struts as opposed to the body giving better handling but a noticably worse ride (hence the change).

Depends on the build date. Quoting a fellow poster on another forum; he's a BMW mechanic: " . . The pre 92 build 11/91-12/91 have the old supsension plus the sway bar end links attach to the strut housing. Then there is the 1/92-6/92 suspension which has different strut hats, upper spring perches, and a few other small changes. Then the 7/92+ which has the updated parts, but still has the end links that attach to the control arm . . " I learned this the hard way when I replaced my struts last month

350hp is a pretty ambitious project, and you may end up tearing out the subframe mounts. Not so much an issue with stock E36's, but the problem is well documented on modded and track cars. Reinforcement plates are available, and you should probably do this upgrade from the getgo:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detai...T_ID=4111225649

[theironm0nk]

318 has about 130 hp. Mine has 160 with intake and exhaust upgrade then chip upgrade I should have about 190 hp. But its very expensive to get it up to that. Also If your going to convert a 318is be prepared to pay for changes in suspension and wiring harness, ect. It will be cheaper in the long run to get the 325

[thekid]

Originally posted by theironm0nk@Jul 21 2005, 09:06 AM
318 has about 130 hp. Mine has 160 with intake and exhaust upgrade then chip upgrade I should have about 190 hp. But its very expensive to get it up to that. Also If your going to convert a 318is be prepared to pay for changes in suspension and wiring harness, ect. It will be cheaper in the long run to get the 325

[snapback]364066[/snapback]

Those are extremely optimistic estimations. Have you a dyno sheet perchance?

[Bubbagump]

Thanks for all the info, guess i am going to go with the 325 then. And from the sounds of it a 92 car if possible. ride quality takes a back seat to handling on this one.
Just my 2 cents on this but I don't think the 350whp is too high of a target considering that I am planning on putting in pistons and rods before I go for that number. Again back to the MR2's. The MR2 has a 2.0L engine and can put out 350whp with out having to be rebuilt with better internals, that is if you make sure you have enough fuel and supporting mods. Though running that power level for any long amount of time before you beef up your pistons if not a good idea in an MR2. So a built 2.5L engine with all the good supporting mods and proper tuning should be able to hit that whp mark with out too much of a problem.
Also what parts from the 96+ engine would be good to grab to help make more power? Again thanks for all the info. And any one know of a high mileage 92 325 5 speed coupe for sale?

[93 325i]

If I were you i;d get a 94 or 95 325. Here's why.. The 92's lacked VANOS. This helps improve low end performance. You'll want the VANOS technology especially when you have a big turbo on there. It'll help low end power before the turbo spools up to speed. Also 92 & 93 325's lacked the rear sub-frame reinforcement plates.. 94+ 325's came from the factory with steel reinforcement plates welded in to help sure up the rear sub frame. Dealing with that much power you'd definitely want the reinforcement plates..

[Bubbagump]

so getting a 94 will help take care of the problem with the rear sub frame.

[///M Power]

A 94-95 might be your better option, yes.

I do have a friend with a 92 325iS for sale. Car has about 140,00 miles but has thousands and thousands in mods.

Car is along the beaches of Los Angeles. Has a lot of great upgrades and something you mioght really want to look into. PM me for more details or ill get up soem pictures later on.

[94BMW325i]

yeah I think Vanos would also help you boost faster? But then again could Vanos be damaged from a turbo?

[///M Power]

It's a coupe

has a lot done to it

he just picked up a dyno'd 224 rwhp 328i so im sure hell take this M3 bumper and put it on that one. he also took the aftermarket sway bars fromt his car and put it on the other one.

This car has a lot of top quality stuff like supersprint exhaust and some coilovers i forget which brand

[Bubbagump]

HOLY RED SEATS BATMAN! thats a lot of red. I like the car but think that some one else would give more for it because the first thing I would have to do is swap out the red for a dark grey or black. but just to ask how much is he looking to get for it?

And no i highly doubt that boost is going to to anything to VANOS. hondas run boost on vtec all day long. and some toyotas with vvti run boost too.

[93 325i]

it is suggested that you have VANOS with forced induction. The turbo will actually cause more drag and make your low end alot slower (until it kicks in and then whamo). But the VANOS helps out alot in the low end