318 Engine swap

[JamesTI]

Hi all.
Tried a search and didn't find anything, so if this has been discussed before then I apologize. I have a 2004 318ti E46 Sport pack. I LOVE this little car and will not sell her in a hurry. The 318 lump has plenty kilometers and the time is soon for me to either overhaull or replace motor. Since the car has been paid up many years ago(and the fact that I love the car),I don't want a new one. I want to change to a bigger motor. Most probably a E46 325i motor. Now I'm good with the spanners, so work could be done by myself. I need to know what all is involved? Can I use the same gearbox, radiator? I would presume that a 325 ECU would have to be used? Will the EMS,etc still work? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gizmo]

The costs involved will massively exceed the cost of selling yours and buying a 325ti.

Just about everything is different, the only similarity is the body and interior.

 

[moranor@axis]

dont build what you can buy I would at least swap in a 2.8 or 3l

 

[JamesTI]

Problem is that I have never seen a 325ti Sport pack. And to me the Sport pack looks sooooo much better than the normal ti. Problem with 2.8 or 3L is that you need to upgrade brakes and suspension. And the 2.8 does not have much more power compared to the 2.5. I'm inclined to actually get a smashed e46 325 and transplant everything from the donor car?

 

[Mike-R]

id say go all out, Japtec in the east can and does import many motors.

Transplant a Supra 2JZ in there... Mild tuning and you have a beast on your hands and a proper sleeper.

 

[E30 Freak]

330i & up otherwise you wasting your time.

Upgrade & make it unique not same same...

 

[Mike-R]

330i & up otherwise you wasting your time.

Upgrade & make it unique not same same...

But different...:coolShake:

 

[Technician]

if you put a 325 motor in you will be wanting a "better/faster/ more powerful" motor or car in 2 years.

that power wont fulfill your thirst.

 

[danieljames]

I agree with Technician......POWWWWAAAAAA

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

You are going through all this effort might as well go for something unique.. What's the going rate for the N54 ... :tiptoe:

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

You are going through all this effort might as well go for something unique.. What's the going rate for the N54 ... :tiptoe:

38k up. Engine only [FEARFUL FACE]

 

[JamesTI]

Just testing the waters. If its going to be such a mission then I'll just rebuild the 318 motor. Just thought I might go the 325 route(as I can get a motor cheap) if it wasn't too much of a mission. If I really wanted to build a fast car I would have gone for a Lexus V8 as they also cheap motors.

 

[individj]

you do get 325ti sportpacks..wait till you find 1 or agreed get a smashed 330i ...why do you say you must do suspension & brakes with 2.8 & 3.0 & not 2.5…i think you need to have a proper think about this..know the facts too.

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and no..if you really wanted a fast car you wouldn't build a Lexus V8 lol

 

[Chucky]

Agree you do get 325ti sportpacks and the later models were 6 speed manual too.

what about a turbo(if possible) or supercharge conversion on the n42? now that will be unique

 

[JamesTI]

you do get 325ti sportpacks..wait till you find 1 or agreed get a smashed 330i ...why do you say you must do suspension & brakes with 2.8 & 3.0 & not 2.5…i think you need to have a proper think about this..know the facts too.

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and no..if you really wanted a fast car you wouldn't build a Lexus V8 lol

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From what I've been told the 318 uses the same brakes and suspension as the 325. The 328 and 330 used bigger brakes and different suspension.

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Agree you do get 325ti sportpacks and the later models were 6 speed manual too.

what about a turbo(if possible) or supercharge conversion on the n42? now that will be unique

I'm sure you do get the 325ti Sportpack. I just have not seen any. So I would gather that they are very hard to come buy?
As for turbo I've seen it done all over the net. But they guys are talking HUGE money to do all the mods, and they say they don't last and are not that strong(power).
As I said before, not really worried about huge power as its a daily driver. Its just that the 318 lump has 260 000km's on her and I would imagine a rebuild would be in order soon. Was just thinking it would be nice if one could put a low mileage 325 motor in as they are plenty full and not badly priced. But judging from all the comments I will probably just rebuild the 318 when time comes.