Hey guys, has anybody ever thought about putting an E30 325i engine into an e21? I would think the only thing that would be a problem with that would be trannie, and weight on the front, as it is heavier than an M10 surely.. Now, someone who knows what they are talking about :)

Thanks

Franzino

Good idea!

Praise is good, keep it coming, keep it coming, dont stop ;) :stickoutt

This has been done many times before, even when the E21 was still rolling off the production line. And it was called the 323i.:eek:

lol, i know its the same engine, if not a bit better, due to its newer technology, but would there have to be much modification to fit it in the E21, as in straight from a 325i?

The M30 motor does require some transmission mount relocation as well as some custom motor mounts and drive shaft. And something about the speedo too... don't quote me on this stuff, but there is plenty of info out there. I'm not sure what companies did it back in the day, but they were droping the 3.5L I6's in the E21.

My post was sarcasm. The m20 from the e30 is a straightforward swap. Incorporating the motronic is not a big deal as long as you have grabbed the full engine harness.

The m30 wasn't part of the original question but yes it has been done by Alpina, Hartge, Dietel, Hardy & Beck and more. IMHO opinion it is a major PITA swap that results in a nose heavy car.

+1 Bruce,
IMO, if you want a 6 cylinder E21, just get a 323i. And if you wanted to go crazy with it, you could do the m21 diesel conversion:shifty

Yes, seems like it would be cool, but then again, the e30 seems to cover that area for me. I would rebuild and FI some 4 banger.

My post was sarcasm. The m20 from the e30 is a straightforward swap. Incorporating the motronic is not a big deal as long as you have grabbed the full engine harness.

The m30 wasn't part of the original question but yes it has been done by Alpina, Hartge, Dietel, Hardy & Beck and more. IMHO opinion it is a major PITA swap that results in a nose heavy car.

I am doing a 1990 m20 stroker that is based upon a 325i e30 engine, that is increased in displacement to 2.8 liters. PM me for details, its very straight forward swap into the 323i.

+1 Bruce,
IMO, if you want a 6 cylinder E21, just get a 323i. And if you wanted to go crazy with it, you could do the m21 diesel conversion:shifty
I think you are miss understanding the difference between swapping in an M20 from an E30 and swapping in an M30 (from a 5, 6 or 7 series).

Bruce stated that the M20 is an easy swap, but that the m30 is a difficult swap and makes the car too nose heavy.

For most of us it is easier to swap in an m20B25 than it is to find a 323i.

JR is right. 323s are getting hard to find. It would be easier to take a 320 and do the m20B25 swap with motronic. The only challenge is the 323 front subframe. They aren't plentiful but they can be found.

JR is right. 323s are getting hard to find. It would be easier to take a 320 and do the m20B25 swap with motronic. The only challenge is the 323 front subframe. They aren't plentiful but they can be found.

323is aren't hard to find in Australia

Thanks guys, omg a diesel conversion, thats an awsome idea, i got 120kw, running on this bad boy... and 450nm lol, that'd be the end of all things holy if i were to step into that territory. Tell ya what, it was a nice though, but the thought of understeer coming more in a car like ours, which does both oversteer and under in quick sucession, ill just stick to finding a nice Tii 2002 motor, and making some nice power from that, after all, they are a shitload smoother than the M10. 4 valves and lots of counterweights really makes a difference...

Okay Thanks guys

EDIT:

For matt, stroking is too expensive for my budget, a new crank is expensive in itself... but a nice thought, im sure that thing has alot of torque... should be awsome with the tail happy E21, make a nice touge car :P jks jks

I think you are miss understanding the difference between swapping in an M20 from an E30 and swapping in an M30 (from a 5, 6 or 7 series).

Bruce stated that the M20 is an easy swap, but that the m30 is a difficult swap and makes the car too nose heavy.

For most of us it is easier to swap in an m20B25 than it is to find a 323i.

No I understood what Bruce was saying, I was agreeing with him that the M30 swap is a difficult swap. I know the M20 is a fairly straight forward swap, and since the 524td's motor used the M20 block, hence another semi-straight forward swap.

And upon further research in to the 323i, I've found a few for sale here in CO. Rare, but then again, most E21's in the states are becoming harder to find.

I missed the Australiasn connection. You guys even had a JPS special. The 323 market here has heated up with prices rising.

I think it would be much better if you just get a 323 and turbo it better than having to deal with transmission problems