hello everyone im in the process of buying a 320i. its engine is blown so im going to swap in the spare m20 that i have. is the anyone in here that has done this swap?

Yes..an M20 swap is doable the biggest challenge it the wiring.

Check the internet someone has posted a wiring schematic.

You need a M20 323i front subframe and 325i tranny as well.

ya know what would be sweet... an m30 swap

ya know what would be sweet... an m30 swap
im only asking for help. not suggestions of what i should do.

"You need a M20 323i front subframe and 325i tranny as well."
why do i need the 323 subframe? can i use the one in the e30 325i? and yes im swapping the tranny to.

im only asking for help. not suggestions of what i should do.

"You need a M20 323i front subframe and 325i tranny as well."
why do i need the 323 subframe? can i use the one in the e30 325i? and yes im swapping the tranny to.

Because its an E30 subframe, and you are trying to swap it into an E21. So, yes you need an E21 323i subframe.

I think pyro was just thinking out loud... :stickoutt

But the 320i front subframe does not have the correct mounting points for the M20 motor. If you are able to do some welding, grinding, etc, then you could just use the M10 front subframe and custom fab up the mounting points. The M20 front subframe is suggested since they aren't THAT hard toget a hold of and then everything is a direct bolt-up from there. It is more for time savings and less labor involved than anything.

There are many e21's running around with both M20B25 and M20B27 motors, although the B27's are probably converted to 'i' specs. They help the little cars fly when compared to the M10 or even the M20B23. Good luck, and Tricord's site may have a bit more technical info that you will need. Can't remember the URL right now though, sorry.

I think pyro was just thinking out loud... :stickoutt

But the 320i front subframe does not have the correct mounting points for the M20 motor. If you are able to do some welding, grinding, etc, then you could just use the M10 front subframe and custom fab up the mounting points. The M20 front subframe is suggested since they aren't THAT hard toget a hold of and then everything is a direct bolt-up from there. It is more for time savings and less labor involved than anything.

There are many e21's running around with both M20B25 and M20B27 motors, although the B27's are probably converted to 'i' specs. They help the little cars fly when compared to the M10 or even the M20B23. Good luck, and Tricord's site may have a bit more technical info that you will need. Can't remember the URL right now though, sorry.

aahh thank you. i will look at 2 e21's this weekend and see if one is a 323. if so ill get the subframe and engine so i have somthing to play with.

is that a chico wing on that car?

is that a chico wing on that car?
it was an experiment.

if it makes you feel better i rolled the car twice and broke the wing off.