I have a 325is that i flipped, and the egine is fine. It has 142,000 k on it and i want to swap it into a 318 that i just picked up need help, im not too sure how, cause the 318 is a manual tranny, and my 325is is auto if this helps.

What year 318 is it. If its 92-95 (OBD1) as your 325 is it would be much easier. Do you want the final outcome to be stick or auto. You could swap over everything from the 325 including the auto trans and the entire harness computer, auto pedals, cluster, column, rear end etc into the 318. Or you can leave the manual trans but you would need a 325 drive shaft, trans mount and shifter assembly etc. Its a lot of work dude. Is it really worth it to you?

I Would Much Rather Buy a standard e36, but it seems like i cant find any reasonably priced ones , and when i do, the cost of shipping is close to the cost of the car or fairl high. do you kno what i mean

hello mate, this is my first post on this forum, just come accross from e36coupe.com, i have just done this conversion on my 316 to a 325, my donor engine was also from a auto car and my 316 was a manual, it was easy really, 2 days work tops if you have the tools, and im no mechanic, the 318 gearbox and diff can be used on the 325 engine, but i would recommend the 325 gearbox or e34 525 gearbox same one as dont know how long 318 gearbox will last with the power, if you go for a manual conversion then you will need a manual flywheel and clutch as auto is different, and the gearlinkage. Front propshaft section and the 325 antiroll bar you can get from your old car, and the 325 rubber engine mounts, suspension and brakes arent essential but you will want to upgrade. gearbox mounting bracket is the same on the 318 as the 325, so almost all the parts you require are on the 2 cars hth
Rick

dude you have all that you need right there.

take the 325 engine and the 325 rear differential, since your 325 was auto, it has a 3.91 final drive ratio in the differential.

swap both of these into the 318. in addition to the motor of the 325, you'll need the DME, and the wiring harness, and the ECU or an aftermarket ECU. it will bolt up to the 318 manual transmission with minor to no modification of the shift linkage. the 3.91 differential is worth a pretty penny, use it or sell it.

if you use it, you'll see that your acceleration will be off the chain. you'll have a 5th gear top speed of 125mph max.. but you'll get there MUCH faster than a regular 325. This is because the 3.91 differential will make your rear wheels have more rotations in any given amount of time. a 3.23 differential would make them rotate a little bit less in the same amount of time. more rotations makes the car reach its destination faster, but at a lower speed.

I hope this is as simple as it sounds I am about to the same swap picking up the engine tomorrow hope everything goes well, I will try to keep everything posted

can anybody tell me how much this is costing fairly accurately? I'm pretty bummed about the lack of power in my 318 but i dont want to spend loads. If I've just got the 318 what bits do I need to get and is there anywhere better than a scrappy to get them from?
Thanks!

can anybody tell me how much this is costing fairly accurately? I'm pretty bummed about the lack of power in my 318 but i dont want to spend loads. If I've just got the 318 what bits do I need to get and is there anywhere better than a scrappy to get them from?
Thanks!

You having a Euro 318I that means you have the single cam 1.8L, small brakes, diff etc so apart from doing the M50 swap you'll have to upgrade the brakes and diff also. US 318I's have the same brakes and trannies as M50 equipt cars so the swap is much less expensive.

It seems like this swap is so easy people probably dont even talk about it.

I know! everyone says its easy but there is not write up....

i am doing it right now i will do a write up...

dang im sorry about your name (954 rider here)

i am doing it right now i will do a write up...
thankz much needed

thankz much needed

Yes plz post a link to your write up i am interested in getting my 4 banger out for a 6 from bavarian engine exchange.

325i, is 93-95 MaxSil™ 1738577 / Tefcote™ 190 hp @ 5800 rpm 180 lbft @ 4200 :evil2

bump :shifty

iff you reside close to the triad area, id come help you install the engine... im always up for a swap