M54B30 into E46 Compact
Discussion
Good morning.
I am going to chuck a m54b30 Into an E46 Compact.
Am I better off searching out a 325ti or will any petrol model do as a base car?
Were there many upgrades on the 325ti that make it more of a suitable base car?
I appreciate that the 325ti would have uprated suspension when compared to say a 318 but I'm not sure whether I'd have to rebuild / change the suspension even if I got a 325ti due to age and mileage.
I would obviously get a lower mileage 318 than a 325 for the same price but then I'm unsure whether the 325ti is the easiest to convert in terms of gearbox, whether it has a diff fitted etc etc.
I will be putting 330 brakes on it.
Thanks
I am going to chuck a m54b30 Into an E46 Compact.
Am I better off searching out a 325ti or will any petrol model do as a base car?
Were there many upgrades on the 325ti that make it more of a suitable base car?
I appreciate that the 325ti would have uprated suspension when compared to say a 318 but I'm not sure whether I'd have to rebuild / change the suspension even if I got a 325ti due to age and mileage.
I would obviously get a lower mileage 318 than a 325 for the same price but then I'm unsure whether the 325ti is the easiest to convert in terms of gearbox, whether it has a diff fitted etc etc.
I will be putting 330 brakes on it.
Thanks
Edited by Muzzman on Sunday 12th April 07:43
325 will be easier to do.
I started from a 316Ti, it is possible to do, but if doing it again I would start with a 325Ti.
Some differences from top of my head as it’s been a few years now.
Engine loom
Engine mounts
Intake pipes/airbox
Engine ancillaries, power steering pump etc
Radiator hoses
Gearbox bell housing
Driveshaft
Diff
I started from a 316Ti, it is possible to do, but if doing it again I would start with a 325Ti.
Some differences from top of my head as it’s been a few years now.
Engine loom
Engine mounts
Intake pipes/airbox
Engine ancillaries, power steering pump etc
Radiator hoses
Gearbox bell housing
Driveshaft
Diff
I did this at the end of last year to a 325ti. This is the best to use as it uses the same ECU so if you get a similar year car it is plug and play and you simply put the m54b30 engine map onto the 325ti ECU. This means you don't have to mess about swapping the keys/EWS etc and your VIN number is kept so you can still get replacement dealer keys etc.
Mine maybe for sale soon if you wanted an already converted car.
Mine maybe for sale soon if you wanted an already converted car.
So, i have just bought a 123k 2001 325ti with head gasket failure for £500.
Will pick it up when the current situation is over and get cracking!
I was speaking to my mate who's going to help me build the car, he builds BMW race cars for a number of the series and restores classic BMW's. He reckons i'd be mental not to delete EWS as it's nothing but trouble....doesn't mean much to me but i'll take his word for it
Will pick it up when the current situation is over and get cracking!
I was speaking to my mate who's going to help me build the car, he builds BMW race cars for a number of the series and restores classic BMW's. He reckons i'd be mental not to delete EWS as it's nothing but trouble....doesn't mean much to me but i'll take his word for it
Edited by Muzzman on Sunday 12th April 15:57
Edited by Muzzman on Sunday 12th April 15:57
Edited by Muzzman on Sunday 12th April 16:05
No, E46 330s have bigger front discs than 325s.
So you'll also need different carriers for the front callipers.
If you are looking for used carriers I think the facelift (post 2006) 3.0Si E85/86 Z4, 123d, 130i and E9* 3 Series used the same part, but it would be worth checking on "realoem" to be sure.
You'll have to run at least 17" wheels with those brakes too (including the space-saver spare if you plan on having one).
So you'll also need different carriers for the front callipers.
If you are looking for used carriers I think the facelift (post 2006) 3.0Si E85/86 Z4, 123d, 130i and E9* 3 Series used the same part, but it would be worth checking on "realoem" to be sure.
You'll have to run at least 17" wheels with those brakes too (including the space-saver spare if you plan on having one).
Currently doing this to 316ti compact. I bought a complete running 330ci that had a weeks MOT left but with rot appearing all over the place. The compact i had owned for a while anyway. It’s rust free but the engine was getting tired.
The 330 is a late one with 6 speed box.
Mechanically it’s pretty easy. Engine and box drop straight in. I’m going to swap the entire sub frames over plus prop, brakes etc. Exhaust looks like it needs modding at the back box end. Electrics were a bit of a challenge as ecus are completely different. Had no idea of this before I started!
I found all the ecu pin outs on line, and geuss what? It was a peice of cake to sort! The engine is now running perfectly on its original ecu, ews and ignition barrel.
I’m guessing you didn’t buy a complete 330 car?
The 330 is a late one with 6 speed box.
Mechanically it’s pretty easy. Engine and box drop straight in. I’m going to swap the entire sub frames over plus prop, brakes etc. Exhaust looks like it needs modding at the back box end. Electrics were a bit of a challenge as ecus are completely different. Had no idea of this before I started!
I found all the ecu pin outs on line, and geuss what? It was a peice of cake to sort! The engine is now running perfectly on its original ecu, ews and ignition barrel.
I’m guessing you didn’t buy a complete 330 car?
£850.00 with a bit of MOT. Dove it back from Slough to Chichester. It drive so well it seemed a shame to break it up - until I investigated the rust issues! It’s worth doing as everything on the 330 is beefed up over the compact. Brakes, diff, driveshafts, prop etc. Though the radiators where identical.
Definitely worth getting a full donor car, ideally you want to be able to drive round in it and see how much oil the engine uses as some of these engines can use a lot. I paid around a grand for a 75k mile 330i Auto that was very rusty and managed to sell the auto box, sport leather, sport bumpers etc
If you get a manual you can swap the gearbox, diff, prop etc but if you get an auto donor car you can use the 325ti drivetrain, ensuring you fit a pilot bearing in the end of the crank and fit a flywheel and 330i clutch - I used a Valeo single mass flywheel conversion kit with part number 835044 which works great.
If you get a manual you can swap the gearbox, diff, prop etc but if you get an auto donor car you can use the 325ti drivetrain, ensuring you fit a pilot bearing in the end of the crank and fit a flywheel and 330i clutch - I used a Valeo single mass flywheel conversion kit with part number 835044 which works great.
Tbh, the 325Ti gearbox, diff and brakes will be OK to start with. The 325i 6 speed box is the same as the 330i anyway and the 188 diff can take a lot of punishment - it's the same size as the E36 3.0 M3 diff and they have knocking on for 290 bhp. Pre mid 2003 cars used the 5 speed box that's going to be pretty marginal with 230 bhp so you;re going to need a box as well.
Standard discs and some really good pads should be OK for road use tbh - the bigger 330i brakes were intended to haul it down from 155 mph.
Standard discs and some really good pads should be OK for road use tbh - the bigger 330i brakes were intended to haul it down from 155 mph.
Edited by Touring442 on Monday 13th April 12:22
Keep standard 325ti ratio diff , much better then long 330 ratio. Standard rear brakes more then adequate and if you’ve got the 17” sport wheels they easily fit over 330 or m3 front brakes.
2.5 clutch is marginal but ok under most circumstances and 2.5 gearbox seems robust enough even for track use .
2.5 clutch is marginal but ok under most circumstances and 2.5 gearbox seems robust enough even for track use .
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