325i vs 328i tranny + engine switch

[dutchbmw]

I want to change my 2.5 engine with a 2.8 engine, both E36. Which parts I have to change, and especially which tranny rate has the 2.5 and 2.8 engine?? I want to start this project asap........

Maybe anyone has done this before, or has helpfull information......

[Furious]

as far understanding the question im sort of lost,,, but i dont think you really need to change the tranny but if you get it with the engine than do it.

[El Presidente]

if you really want a swap, get a 95 OBD1 M engine. Unless your motor is completely shot, you notice much differnce in the 328; certainly not enough to warrant the cost.

[bigred318]

yeah the difference between the 2 engines is barely anything, if you are going to change your engine, then go with an m or else sell your 325 and just buy a 328, dont switch the 2 engines.

David

[Furious]

Originally posted by bigred318@Jan 3 2004, 02:23 AM
yeah the difference between the 2 engines is barely anything, if you are going to change your engine, then go with an m or else sell your 325 and just buy a 328, dont switch the 2 engines.

David

you guys are sort of wrong, there is a big difference between the two engines, i believe almost a whole second (more like 0.9sec) in the 0-60 and i cant remember the 1/4 but there is a difference.

[eloff19]

wouldn't it just be cheaper to bore out the 2.5? ...i mean engine swap is big $....

[El Presidente]

Its true there is a difference, but is it large enough to warrant the cost. The same performance, if not higher, could be reached by boring, port+polish, and CAIing the 2.5 for a lower cost than a full swap.

[dutchbmw]

A second-hand 2.8 engine from 95 with 80K costs about 900 euro ($1150). That's not the difference between my '91 325i and a completely '95 328i (4500 euro). Because the engine of my car has a broken headgasket, and a lot of things have to built out, I want to install a 2.8 litre engine.............

[eloff19]

well dude then it all pretty much comes down to how much money you wanna spend...

[dutchbmw]

I'm still doubt about it............

[e36_m3_Turbo]

from the 2.5 to 2.8 is not a big differnce really...only a few hp. but go with the 3.0l

[nick_g_evans]

Originally posted by e36_m3_Turbo@Jan 10 2004, 05:51 PM
from the 2.5 to 2.8 is not a big differnce really...only a few hp. but go with the 3.0l

You guys must not have looked at the torque curves. Who cares if there's only a couple horsepower more. That does not mean they are almost the same. There is so much more torque with the 2.8L. This means BMW just must have put more power into the midrange of the 28 and more in the top end on the 25.

I just found this to help prove my point:
http://www.eurospeedperformance.com/Articles/328m50.htm
If you don't get why this proves anything then you don't deserve to know.

[thekid]

If you have to rebuild your 2.5 then sure go for the 2.8, however, why not spend a little more and go all out for an M engine? I agree with you though, if you have to replace the engine any way get the best (ie. most hp or torque) one that you can afford.

[bimmerfan620]

I don't know what you would rather do... Buy somebody elses worn out, tired out motor and pay big money to do a complete swap, all that work and get another used motor which could blow on you shortly there-after... Or tear your 2.5 down, pull the pistons, rods, crank, check the crank for Out-of-roundness, bearing sleeves for groves, get the crank turned and balanced if it needs it, have the block bored out to either equal a 2.8, or possible 3.0.. I don't know the exact limits, buy new oversized pistons, maybe even performance pistons, get a set of M3 cams for the head, stiffer springs, etc... you get my drift...... your going to be able to build your existing motor on your own and you'd be better off..... I hate doing motor swaps, especially for a used motor to go in... all that work to find out the motor blows 3 weeks or even 1 month later.... whats your choice??

[El Presidente]

having the engine rebuilt and tweeked would yeild you similar if not surpassed pefromance for less.