Hi there,

I do believe, if you're thinking of using a 2.5 engine from another e30, its a straight swap, you may want to consider swapping the gearbox over too - so they're properly mated an all, but it's not essential if you can't find a donor 325i auto.

However, if you're thinking of using of using an e36 engine it's definately not going to be so easy, although I have seen it done - I have seen an e36 M3 engine in an e30 and even more radical, have seen a late 5.4 v12 engine from a 750 or something in an e30 also, so its not impossible whatever you choose, just depends on how much time you have or want to spend on it. Thats all I can help in this case.

But, going on the previous assumption, if you do however use an e30 2.5 engine (with or without the same gearbox), it will be like for like as far as mounting the engine goes. Things on the 325 such as water pump, oil pump, oil sump, etc etc is most likely to be slightly more heavy duty on the 6 cylinder models - so here I would advise taking all that you can from the 325 donor car, even down to the engine mounts - definately, things like the ECU would be worth using from the 325, i don't know how similar the 1.8  4 cylinder is to any of the 6 cylinders, especially the 2.5.

I hope this enough help, initially anyway, please - do not hesitate to email me if you require any further help, or leave some more messages here, and I will try my best to help you or will find out the answers myself, to any questions you may have.

Good Luck!

Terry

Hi,
the 3 series (e30) was built until 1994 (only some versions were), and since 1990 they were replaced by the e36 3 series.
It wasn't only a new face for the 3 series, but they totally rebuilt the cars, and they replaced the m20 and m40 engines for newer m40 and m50-series engines.
If you want to read the whole story, and view specs+pics of the 2, just click these links:
3 series e30
3 series e36

I think you mean the e34 525i...
The earlier models of the 525i (until 1990) have the same engine as the 325i e30 (about the same engine, both have an M20 engine, but the 525i has a catalatic converter, I think that;s the only difference).
So it should be relatively easy to swap these around, as Terry already mentioned

Hi again,

Another question...how is the performance of a 325e.  I heard that the engine does not produce as much power as a regular 325i.  But the 325e has a 2.7  if a 325i ecu was used how would that affect it? questions questions 

Hiya,

I was just wondering if anybody knows why my car (84' 318i)  stalls out when you first start it up.  It would rev up to around 2500rpm then when it tries to idle it would stall.  But if I were to gas it some and keep it at 2500 for about 30 secs then it stays at 1000rpm and doesnt stall.   help?

Hiya,

Yea i kinda blew a fuse and now my speedometer, clock, and that annoying buzz sound when you open the door doesnt work.  I have no clue where the fuse box thingy is; I see there is a fuse box in the engine compartment but have no clue what its for.  Yea as you can tell i suck at life  .  Help...oh god...it hurts.

Thanks you helped me a lot!

When Im driving, i notice that the engine would rev high but im not going anywhere fast.  It takes me a while to reach 60 .  The tranny shifts fine, dont seem to be any slippage, jus kinda sluggish i guess when accelerating.  I have no idea what the problem could be.  Like i said the engine seems to be going but the car is not responding that fast.  Thanks for ur help!