Engine swap dilenma

#1

Seeking advice on this: I have a '91 318i without a head in my possesion and a '89 325i engine with the full harness available.
Should I put the engine in or contnue looking for a running 325i?
My goal is to begin my DEs by year end at the latest.

#2

You have the stuff now to go HPDE in a matter of weeks, just get a head or drop that motor in. Be aware that it won’t be legal to race in SE30 as 318 is being phased out of the rules next year. However you could race that combination in GTS, PT or in IT in SCCA. If you’re intent on racing SE30, then look for a good running 325 versus investing in something just to sell and start over. If it were me, I’d probably put a head or motor swap and spend as much money on seat time and decide later what to do about racing. Just two cents, good luck.

#3

I would drop the motor in and get on the track. I think you need a trans and ECU to get the motor to work. The swap is not impossible and I am sure you can find the details to get it working properly on the web and to help make the call. Since you already have the 318 and if its clean and rust free you should consider it.

Once the ECU, 325 trans and the right diff are in the car I think the rest is virtually the same and would give you a spec e30 legal car once the rest of the basic mods are complete.

#4

Thanks all. I was leaning towards dropping the motor in as that would mean attaining my goal of racing in spec e30 sooner rather than later.

#5

Please read the rules and this board. The 318 will not be legal by next year for Spec E30. You could race that setup, as far as I am aware just not in SE30 in 2010 and beyond. If you want to get on track just do the head and drive dude.

#6

9d3 wrote:

Actually, his car should be perfectly legal with the engine swap.
True, the 318 models will not be legal following the 2009 season, but if you carefully read the rules in section 9.3.2. Engine Swapping, his car will essentially become an '89 325i after the engine swap he’s proposing to do.

9.3.2. Engine Swapping
9.3.2.1. Cars that do not have an original type engine, (e.g. the engine was not available in the model, chassis and year of the car), shall be classed based upon the vehicle for which the engine was original.
9.3.2.2. The car shall meet the weight minimum of the chassis, model and year for which the engine was originally available in the chassis of a US model, (e.g. it will assume the characteristics of the donor car).
9.3.2.2.1. Location and maximum ballast weight allowed is specified in 9.3.13.
9.3.2.3. Swapping or mixing of engine or driveline components between different engine types is not permitted, (e.g. mating the head from an eta engine with the block from a 325i M20).

This should work since you have the later 318 (M42 engine, with anti-lock brakes)-I wouldn’t recommend this with the earlier model.
Good luck with your car and keep us posted!

#7

Yep AJ. What Natalie said. :laugh:
I had already checked that out.
Like all the other noobs I will keep you all updated on the build. Can’t wait to join the badass SE group.

Dexter