Engine Swap Question...

[jer]

Hi and sorry. I already posted this question but I think I did in the wrong place. So here goes again. Does anyone know if I can drop a 1992 325 engine into a 318 body (of the same year/gen.)? Obviously the suspension would need a little work to compensate the added weight but would the engine fit? Are the mounts the same? and what about the plumbing for the cooling, oil. How would this work if at all? I always thought that the two cars were very similar and this wouldn't be a lot of trouble. Any help???

[95 m3/2T]

I believe that is quite possible. I'm not sure about the cooling and all the mounts etc, but I was gonna drop a 95 m3 engine into a 318ti and that I know for a fact is doable.

[bigred318]

you can do anything with the right amount of money

David

[Turbodefrost]

Originally posted by bigred318@Mar 16 2005, 11:45 AM
you can do anything with the right amount of money

David

[snapback]312760[/snapback]

[3serbmdubya]

Originally posted by bigred318@Mar 16 2005, 02:45 PM
you can do anything with the right amount of money

David

[snapback]312760[/snapback]

man i hate when people say that. its just a way of getting away with saying yes and no you can do such and such, or i dont know. that doesnt really help much. what someone needs is an answer like no thats not possible because... or yes its doable, i did it, or someone else did it and here are pictures or something.

and my thoughts on this are:
if its the same chasis E36 then i think its possible because m3 motors have been swapped into 318s. heck even the 750il motor has been done. it depends on where the mounts are on the 318 motor. i did a motor swap and i know for the 325s the motor mounts are on either side of the engine, one on right and left. so if the subframes are similar then it should work

[93 325i]

That was David's way of saying it will cost you a lot of dough.. From what I've read the mounts are not the same and the exhaust is not the same, plus a slew of other parts are not the same.. I forget who was the expert on this, but im sure he'll see this and give you the low down. I remember the final verdict was that it would be more cost effective to supercharge or get a 325 outright

[thekid]

I don't know about the mount points, but I do know that you need the Rear subframe from an i6 car, the diff and the driveshaft. As well as all of the usual things for an egine swap. Also the exhaust is different. There was thread a few months ago deatiling the i6 exhaust, but it was also mentioned in the thread that it was different. Something about true dual to cats then dual or something like that. I can't remember exactly

[FruityOne]

first off how much are you willing to spend?

second your gonna need a lot more than the motor. you will need the harness complete exhaust. i believe from a 4 to 6 conversion the engine mount locations are different. your tranny will bolt up to the 6 but you will need to change the clutch and flywheel otherwise your motor will just toast the 318 clutch assuming yours is a stick.

if you have any more questions just post in this thread and ill answer them

[jer]

I am willing to spend a little bit on it. It really depends. I acuired this engine pretty cheaply so its not like thats a huge sunk cost. I am starting to question the point in putting it into a 318. Maybe I should just look for another 325... maybe with an bad motor.