e36-323/ m3

Hi im a new member to this site was wondering if any one can help me ive got a 1998 323 and i would like to put an m3 engine in, i have been told the engine conversion is quite straight forward but are there any other issues i should be aware of thanks

In a nutshell - forget it.

There are several reasons:-

There's more to an M3 than the engine; the diff (lsd & stronger), drive shafts (stronger), suspension (uprated, lowered, stiffened, reinforced), brakes (bigger - better 3.0, much better Evo), reinforced bodyshell. The list goes on.
The engine management system is different so you'll need all of that too.
Insurance - Insurance companies take a dim view of this type of thing. You'll likely end up paying more than you would for a standard M3. You were going to tell them weren't you?
Value - it will never be worth as much as an M3 and it won't be worth as much as when it was a 323. It'll be seen as a bitsa, a bodge job (no matter how well the conversion is carried out)
Prices of M3's, Evo's included have dropped through the floor - pick up an Evo for under �4,000 and have a proper sorted M3 without any of the bodgeit downsides.

It's one thing to read about this sort of conversion, quite another to carry it out. In the end it just doesn't make any kind of financial sense. If you're looking for a challenge, consider one of the BMW V8's instead. At least it will be unique (apart from a few Alpina's etc) and have more potential than a 6 pot screamer. There's no replacement for displacement.

Edited by AndyS

AndyS
Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.

How about a 323i to a 328i engine swap. Would this be more straight forward I wonder?

1996 320iC:
2002 525iA Sport:

More straightforward than the M3 swap but points 3, 4 & 5 in my last post still hold true.

If the 323 isn't fast enough, sell it & buy the model that is.

When I started looking for a 323 or 328 convertible I found there wasn't much difference in the price (unlike when they were new) so I just went for a 328.

I knew I'd always be wishing I'd got the 328 & they generally had more kit on them anyway so it was a bit of a no-brainer.

AndyS
Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.

Why put 328 into 323 when you could BBTB,Manifold,Remap and Zorst

Previous:

E36 318is coupe, E36 323i coupe, E30 316 saloon, E30 318 saloon, E46 330ci Sport Conv
E92 325d M Sport(3.0),With Loads of gadgets

Current:
116i Sport F20

Physically, it's a straight swap but you'll need the ecu.

You'll really need the gearbox & diff too.

Unless your suspension is pretty new & uprated you'll need to look at that.

You'll want the bigger brakes.

Not sure if the radiator's bigger - would expect it to be the same.

If you're sitting there with a dead motor it's certainly an option.

AndyS
Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
ziggy 1972 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31-January-2009 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote ziggy 1972 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: e36-323/ m3 Posted: 31-January-2009 at 10:05
	Hi im a new member to this site was wondering if any one can help me ive got a 1998 323 and i would like to put an m3 engine in, i have been told the engine conversion is quite straight forward but are there any other issues i should be aware of thanks

Sponsored Links

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Post Options Post Reply Quote kbannon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31-January-2009 at 10:42
	Welcome to the forum. Exhaust, ECU and wiring, brakes and suspension There is possibly other things but its too early in the morning for me to think! Edited by kbannon
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

AndyS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II The Last of the Few Joined: 21-August-2003 Location: 55 � North Status: Offline Points: 1365	Post Options Post Reply Quote AndyS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2009 at 00:24
	In a nutshell - forget it. There are several reasons:- There's more to an M3 than the engine; the diff (lsd & stronger), drive shafts (stronger), suspension (uprated, lowered, stiffened, reinforced), brakes (bigger - better 3.0, much better Evo), reinforced bodyshell. The list goes on. The engine management system is different so you'll need all of that too. Insurance - Insurance companies take a dim view of this type of thing. You'll likely end up paying more than you would for a standard M3. You were going to tell them weren't you? Value - it will never be worth as much as an M3 and it won't be worth as much as when it was a 323. It'll be seen as a bitsa, a bodge job (no matter how well the conversion is carried out) Prices of M3's, Evo's included have dropped through the floor - pick up an Evo for under �4,000 and have a proper sorted M3 without any of the bodgeit downsides. It's one thing to read about this sort of conversion, quite another to carry it out. In the end it just doesn't make any kind of financial sense. If you're looking for a challenge, consider one of the BMW V8's instead. At least it will be unique (apart from a few Alpina's etc) and have more potential than a 6 pot screamer. There's no replacement for displacement. Edited by AndyS
	AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.

Pete330 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-November-2003 Location: Aberdeen Status: Offline Points: 8969	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pete330 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2009 at 01:01
	I know someone that did this and spent thousands only to not complete the conversion due to problems underneath with to much adjustments needed done Sell the 323 and buy an M3 There cheaper than it will cost you to convert yours
	Previous: E36 318is coupe, E36 323i coupe, E30 316 saloon, E30 318 saloon, E46 330ci Sport Conv E92 325d M Sport(3.0),With Loads of gadgets Current: 116i Sport F20

rebel.ranter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 30-July-2007 Location: Cork, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote rebel.ranter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2009 at 20:28
	How about a 323i to a 328i engine swap. Would this be more straight forward I wonder?
	1996 320iC: 2002 525iA Sport:

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Post Options Post Reply Quote kbannon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2009 at 21:10
	This would be far more straightforward but you may need to uprate the suspension, brakes, ECU and possibly more. Your insurance company would still probably hit you for more than were you to buy a 328i and after all costs it may cost more than were you to see the 323i and buy a 328i.
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

AndyS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II The Last of the Few Joined: 21-August-2003 Location: 55 � North Status: Offline Points: 1365	Post Options Post Reply Quote AndyS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2009 at 21:12
	More straightforward than the M3 swap but points 3, 4 & 5 in my last post still hold true. If the 323 isn't fast enough, sell it & buy the model that is. When I started looking for a 323 or 328 convertible I found there wasn't much difference in the price (unlike when they were new) so I just went for a 328. I knew I'd always be wishing I'd got the 328 & they generally had more kit on them anyway so it was a bit of a no-brainer.
	AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.

Peter Fenwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484	Post Options Post Reply Quote Peter Fenwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-February-2009 at 10:37
	If you're going to go swapping the engine for a bigger more powerful one then don't do something BMW have already done. Why put an M3 engine into a 323 when you can simply buy an M3? 6k will buy you a very nice E36 M3 these days.
	Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

Pete330 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-November-2003 Location: Aberdeen Status: Offline Points: 8969	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pete330 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-February-2009 at 14:09
	Why put 328 into 323 when you could BBTB,Manifold,Remap and Zorst
	Previous: E36 318is coupe, E36 323i coupe, E30 316 saloon, E30 318 saloon, E46 330ci Sport Conv E92 325d M Sport(3.0),With Loads of gadgets Current: 116i Sport F20

rebel.ranter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 30-July-2007 Location: Cork, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote rebel.ranter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-February-2009 at 22:14
	I was thinking of my own 320i (below) to be honest. I would have thought that a 328i engine might be more straight forward than the M3 engine. It was only just a notion though. I like the car, have it for 8 years, If the Nikasil problem ever kicked in (probably never going to happen now)I would love to attempt the 328i conversion.
	1996 320iC: 2002 525iA Sport:

AndyS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II The Last of the Few Joined: 21-August-2003 Location: 55 � North Status: Offline Points: 1365	Post Options Post Reply Quote AndyS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03-February-2009 at 08:14
	Physically, it's a straight swap but you'll need the ecu. You'll really need the gearbox & diff too. Unless your suspension is pretty new & uprated you'll need to look at that. You'll want the bigger brakes. Not sure if the radiator's bigger - would expect it to be the same. If you're sitting there with a dead motor it's certainly an option.
	AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.