hi just joined and have recently bought a 320i e30 which is very nice indeed,i will post some pics v.soon

question is and may have been asked before so apoligies if this is the case,iv searched to no avail,im happy enough with the car,but for more power i was going to do a 325 conversion?

i rebuild engines for a living and do so on a daily basis,all i wish to know is the differance with the engine?ie..compression ratio differances and basically what parts i can use from the 320-325

i was thinking of using the 320 box as im sure there cant be major differance other than ratio,both being a straight 6 and all

so any input would be great,like i said its a project and as the cars mint theres no hurry,but just curious

one more question differance in manifolds would be useful ie flow rate,and can the 325manifold be used as a decent upgrade?

mods on car as follows powerflow intake,ecu chip,magnex zorst with 325 pipes

cheers greg

There are loads of guys on here that can help you.

However, you are at a point where you have an excellent opportunity to go 2.7. The most common way to go these days is to use the old e28 525e engine (or at least the crank, pistons and conrods and is also know as the eta lump) which is actually a 2.7. It's been described as think of the difference between 320 and a 325, it's the same again. I'm certainly looking into it. 

More info here

http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=29170&KW=2%2E7&PN=0&TPN=1 - http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=29170&a mp;KW=2%2E7&PN=0&TPN=1

whitey wrote: There are loads of guys on here that can help you. However, you are at a point where you have an excellent opportunity to go 2.7. The most common way to go these days is to use the old e28 525e engine (or at least the crank, pistons and conrods and is also know as the eta lump) which is actually a 2.7. It's been described as think of the difference between 320 and a 325, it's the same again. I'm certainly looking into it.  More info here http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=29170&KW=2%2E7&PN=0&TPN=1 - http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=29170&a mp;a mp;KW=2%2E7&PN=0&TPN=1

or is it better to just use the whole bottom end and get new rings and a hone?

can i use the 320 head or will i need the 325? cheers

I'm starting with a 2.5 anyway so I'll probably just go for a 2.7 crank and rods. As far as I know you'd need a 2.5 block so you may as well source a complete 2.7 lump and use the block and pistons.

Come on guy's help greg out here.

Also, get yourself along to Gaydon in August to the clubs national. There will be stacks of e30's there with loads of advice to go with it.

If Stannard Motors are there again this year, They specialise in the 2.7 M20 conversions and have done for years.  

whitey wrote: Also, get yourself along to Gaydon in August to the clubs national. There will be stacks of e30's there with loads of advice to go with it. If Stannard Motors are there again this year, They specialise in the 2.7 M20 conversions and have done for years.

much appreciated mate something to look in to,il try and come along to the meet

il get some pics of my e30 on later

greg

Drew540i wrote: Use a standard 525e short engine - that's block, crank, rods and pistons. You should be able to pick up an engine for £100 but I'd be buying a complete running 525e off ebay for around the same money so you can hear it run. If the bores on the 525e engine are a bit crap but the pistons will go again, you can get the 320i block bored from 80 to 84mm. Use the standard 320i head and cam, exhaust, clutch, gearbox etc. But use a 325i inlet manifold with throttle body and injectors plus a 325i air flow meter. You'll need to spend half an hour with a stone in a drill to open out the inlet ports in the head to match the 325i manifold but it's dead easy. Finally replace the chip in the ECU and you're done - about 170 bhp and a big blob of torque. You'll be breaking traction in third gear! This is the most cost effective way of doing a 2.7 on a 320i and it works! Don't get talked into 325i pistons, heads etc because that's just complicating matters.

thanks mate,kbnow what i need if i choose to do so ta