Converting an e90 323i to a '325i'

[Kay Mahuzi]

Hello

My uncle had an e90 323i but the engine got ruined. He sold me the car for cheap. I am planning to buy it an engine but instead of a 323i engine I want to buy the more tuned up 325i engine. Would this be a good idea? or would it be too expensive and too much of a process to do the conversion?

Thanks

 

[GoCart]

Might as well just go all the way and swap in a 330i motor, in terms of complexity, will be as with the 325i motor. Same basic watermelon, magic on the inside.

 

[Gordvisr]

Agree with Gocart, go straight for the N52B30 engine. You wont be disapointed

 

[Gordvisr]

O and not sure what need to be changed on the electronic side to make it successful, might need the gearbox and diff too.

 

[Kay Mahuzi]

Might as well just go all the way and swap in a 330i motor, in terms of complexity, will be as with the 325i motor. Same basic watermelon, magic on the inside.

Might as well just go all the way and swap in a 330i motor, in terms of complexity, will be as with the 325i motor. Same basic watermelon, magic on the inside.

Thank you @GoCart if it's the same thing then I can definitely just go all the way!

 

[Kay Mahuzi]

O and not sure what need to be changed on the electronic side to make it successful, might need the gearbox and diff too.

Thank you for the response.

That is my worry. Maybe a 330 might definitely need another diff and another gearbox and I thought the 325 is more similar to the 323 those other parts might not need to be changed.
But it seems like the 325 is more similar to the 330 than it is to the 323.
So those changes might be inevitable.

 

[evnmopwr]

As the guys mentioned, 330i 1 time.

Should be a drop in swop. easy.
you will need the ECU flashed with 330i Map to unlock its full potential.
Not sure who can help do that though

I swopped did a 325i to 330i swop on my E46. but i had a donor car so i used all the 330i Components ( ECU, ews, Keys, LCM, etc etc )
so i did not need to flash my 325i Ecu

Start a thread when you decide to do it.

 

[Gordvisr]

Thank you for the response.

That is my worry. Maybe a 330 might definitely need another diff and another gearbox and I thought the 325 is more similar to the 323 those other parts might not need to be changed.
But it seems like the 325 is more similar to the 330 than it is to the 323.
So those changes might be inevitable.

Maybe keep an eye out at beemerspares, get a written off E90 with either 325 or 330. Saw some of there prices yesterday and actually not that bad.

 

[Sspower]

Hi the swap is straightforward, it can drive with the 330i using 323 ecu just wont have 330i power.
doing a 325i swap is also fairly simple just drop the engine and drive

 

[Kay Mahuzi]

Hi the swap is straightforward, it can drive with the 330i using 323 ecu just wont have 330i power.
doing a 325i swap is also fairly simple just drop the engine and drive

Thank you so much. I was worried about that! Truly helpful. So I'd need a programmer to adjust the ECU of the 323i? or change the ECU all in all? f

 

[Kay Mahuzi]

Maybe keep an eye out at beemerspares, get a written off E90 with either 325 or 330. Saw some of there prices yesterday and actually not that bad.

Yes thanks @Gordvisr , I saw the prices are quite decent on the market!

 

[///M Individual]

Hi guys

Reviving an old thread instead of creating a new one.

Relative has a E90 LCi 323i and looking to get a bit more power from it.

I know its hard to extract power from NA cars but would a remap and exhaust be worth it? Anything else recommended?

 

[KarshS]

Hi guys

Reviving an old thread instead of creating a new one.

Relative has a E90 LCi 323i and looking to get a bit more power from it.

I know its hard to extract power from NA cars but would a remap and exhaust be worth it? Anything else recommended?

I wouldnt spend money to get more power from a 323i.... The differences in overall feel between a 323i to a 325i is big.
The money spent on a good exhaust and tune on a 323i wont be worth the gain.

If it was me i would sell the 323i and buy a 325i/330i. There is quiet a few of these for sale. Also remember you not just getting the power in this way, you also getting better brakes, suspension, gearbox, diff and whatever else that comes with a higher power output car from the same generation.

i had both a 323i and a 325i back to back.... the engine response is so much more refined in the 325i. The 323i was just too lazy.

 

[///M Individual]

I wouldnt spend money to get more power from a 323i.... The differences in overall feel between a 323i to a 325i is big.
The money spent on a good exhaust and tune on a 323i wont be worth the gain.

If it was me i would sell the 323i and buy a 325i/330i. There is quiet a few of these for sale. Also remember you not just getting the power in this way, you also getting better brakes, suspension, gearbox, diff and whatever else that comes with a higher power output car from the same generation.

i had both a 323i and a 325i back to back.... the engine response is so much more refined in the 325i. The 323i was just too lazy.

Thanks bud.

Thing is he has had the car from new and probably won't sell to get into something that he doesn't know the history on.

It is a Manual if that makes a difference.

 

[KarshS]

I still maintain.... dont build what you can buy bro....

Thanks bud.

Thing is he has had the car from new and probably won't sell to get into something that he doesn't know the history on.

It is a Manual if that makes a difference.

Manual does make a difference. Auto in those cars are dead.

Look headers, exhaust, Intake and tune should liven it up abit.... But thats probably a +- 30k job.