M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Swaps, Turbos, Buildups => Topic started by: dublinboy on May 23, 2008, 11:20:25 AM

Title: would a e30 325i fit in my e30 318is? help!!!
Post by: dublinboy on May 23, 2008, 11:20:25 AM

Hi all,

I need some info on this.
I own a e30 318is, but unfortunly, the head cylinder is cracked and i can not, for love or money, find a replacment here in ireland.
Im not sure about elsewhere, but this is a very rare engine here.
But, there is quiet a few e30 325i engines.
          So, I was wondering what would I have to do, would this engine fit?
and also what else would be needed to do this swap?

example;

325 ecu,

gearbox?

brakes?
 
has anyone tried this?

any info at all would be great thanks!!!

Title: would a e30 325i fit in my e30 318is? help!!!
Post by: nuvolarossa on May 23, 2008, 01:26:03 PM

a quick search if this can help... it's from a e36
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-318is-e36-cylinder-head_W0QQitemZ110254166082QQihZ001QQcategoryZ10374QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Title: would a e30 325i fit in my e30 318is? help!!!
Post by: RouteZeroDesign on May 24, 2008, 05:31:03 PM

Mate they aren't that hard to find here...i have 3 in my garage lol
Where have you been looking?
Have you tried traynors.co.uk like i suggested? The website is sometimes out of date, so give them a call from the number on their site.

If your really set on the 325 swap (which is only gonna give you 30 more bhp but allot more weight) then i'm obliged to help :)

You will need the 325 engine, gearbox, engine wiring loom, ecu, front and rear shocks and springs (has to support different weight), exhaust system, drive shaft, brakes, radiator, ignition coils, and clocks.

And then possibly the differential (because the 318is' diff is a small case diff and the 325 is a medium), outer shafts, steering rack and anti-roll bars (because of different weight)

Still want to do it?
Im not saying that it isnt possible, but its just going to be an awful lot of hassell.

The list is just stuff that i guess may be a problem, as i havent done the swap myself, they are just the things that i'd watch out for :)

Hope you stick with the m42 mate :)

Title: alri
Post by: dublinboy on May 24, 2008, 06:03:20 PM

alri mate. thats all i needed to know haha wher bouts do ya live? any of those engines in your garage for sale?
i've been ringing traynors every week in case they get new stuff in!!
ive tried everywhere, my garage has tried everywhere and at this stage im thinking of getting one in from england at an awlful price!!!!!!!!
i think it seems like a lot of work to do the swap and im not the one doin it.
id love to stick with the m42.
once again wher ya frm? can ya help?
thanx for the reply mate

Title: would a e30 325i fit in my e30 318is? help!!!
Post by: RouteZeroDesign on May 24, 2008, 06:49:23 PM

i pm replied :)

Title: would a e30 325i fit in my e30 318is? help!!!
Post by: ose30 on May 25, 2008, 01:25:32 AM

Quote

front and rear shocks and springs (has to support different weight), exhaust system, drive shaft, brakes, radiator, ignition coils, and clocks

318IS brakes & suspension is the same as 325I has.