Advice on new project

[Brianbb]

hi guys,

i have recently bought a e30 325i sport which i am restoring to its former glory,

as the car will be completely striped down i am looking to do some sort of engine conversion, i am just trying to decide which one

i am not sure on what the engine codes are however the engines i am interested in are

e36 M3 (3.2) or e46 M5

obviously i would like the m5's v8 but is that even possible?

which would you suggest any why?

 

[Big Daddy]

These projects usually cost more than the car will be worth, but I understand you desire. I would use the e36 M3 motor before I would use the M5's. Cost is a big factor and the M5 motor woudl require a lot more effort. Good luck with your project and post some photos are you work on it.

 

[btay1or11]

Another option might be to upgrade the current motor, there are a couple of companies that have larger displacement kits available, and others that can rebuild the engine to higher performance specs withouth the hassle of changing and/or custom fabing parts. Just my opinion.

 

[ldzpstnr]

You could modify the stock M20 engine like btay said or go with the later model e36 M3 motor. I plan to get the later model M3 motor for my '87 325. There are more performance parts out there, the engine with flow a lot more and produce a lot more power.

If you go with modifying the stock engine you will be looking at icnreasing the size from 2.5 to a few choices... 2.7, 2.9 or 3.0 . It will be a powerful engine, prbably aorund 250 horsepower if you do some serious mods to it, otherwise if you just make the 2.5 engine into a 2.9 you probably have around 200 horse. The M3 engine allready has this much power stock.

If you look around you can find an M3 motor for a fairly decent price, probably less then how much you would spend boring and stroking the stock M20 engine. THe conversion is not that hard to complete from what I read. You can find plans for the conversion on the net.

I am going to put either an E36 M3 engine or a E36 M50 engine into my 325. If I get the m50 eingine then I will make it into a M3 engine. Guess its not to different. Later guys.