I need help From All 3-series mechanics - United Bimmer Community

**V-tecKILLAH** · 10-20-2006, 09:33 PM

Due to a couple of blown cylinders in my girls 325i. I've decided to swap the motor for another 325 engine. I've never swapped any BMW engine, I have dealt with many hondas and acuras in the past, so i have a preety good concept of the job. However I just got hooked up with a deal on a 93' 325i motor with low miles and I would really like to know what to look out for and is there anything specific that i shoud know!! From the looks of things I will Drop the motor and tranny together with the suspension after taking off the whole front, Good or bad idea?? Also Beside the normals are there any special tools that I will need??

**xsperf** · 10-20-2006, 11:26 PM

EXCELLENT idea, i did just that, remove the radiator, then the radiator support along with the front bumper(and the hood cable) and basicallyt ake the front end off, drop the subframe(rack & pinion, susppension), and just go from there it makes it so much easier, i dont know if you have a lift available and an engine hoist, but trust me with the front off and the subframe, u just lift the car up, and just jack the engine+tranny right up to it, have someone do a little pushing screw in the engine mount bolts and the tranny mounts and go from there..

**V-tecKILLAH** · 10-21-2006, 09:23 AM

Thanks alot xsperf I'm pcking up the motor today and I will try to start ASAP.

**defkon99** · 10-21-2006, 09:33 AM

everything is pretty simple just tag the electrical wires to be sure they go to the right place.

**xsperf** · 10-21-2006, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defkon99

everything is pretty simple just tag the electrical wires to be sure they go to the right place.

good pt, and also hoses, coolant hoses, gas lines.. etc etc, and the coolant hoses to the heater core, you may want to do that before you actually screw the engine mounts in b/c it gets pretty tight

**BMWLotAttendant** · 10-21-2006, 07:49 PM

Be careful, it's a BIG job. I've seen it done on SEVERAL BMWs. Take your time. Make sure you don't squeeze, bend, or break any hoses or wires. Have a couple friends to help you watch and make sure everything goes in smoothly. Put the engine back in the way you took it out. Big difference.

Good luck!

**V-tecKILLAH** · 10-22-2006, 09:14 PM

Thank guys The Motor and Tranny came out today. Had some minor set backs but nothing really too fustrating. I took out the intake manifold to access the fuel lines, it made thing s alot easier. I have work and school this week so I probaly won't get to touch it until Thursday or so. Until then I will more than appreciate any comments or tactics that will will help with the installation.ooohh by the way (just out of curiousity) if I were to convert the 325i to 5 - speed, how is the Clutch pedals installed?I'm not going to do this conversion but With the motor and tranny out I know it would be alot easier?

**xsperf** · 10-22-2006, 11:08 PM

i believe the clutch just screws in, but you need a slave cylinder and you need to connect it to the master cylinder, jrhaile, a member on here(along with someone else who did it to his m3, dont remember the username) both did it, they said it was well worth it but trust me u need the kit i dont think you can just wing it, and i would presume u want your car back together as soon as possible

**BeRzErKaS** · 10-23-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-tecKILLAH

Thank guys The Motor and Tranny came out today. Had some minor set backs but nothing really too fustrating. I took out the intake manifold to access the fuel lines, it made thing s alot easier. I have work and school this week so I probaly won't get to touch it until Thursday or so. Until then I will more than appreciate any comments or tactics that will will help with the installation.ooohh by the way (just out of curiousity) if I were to convert the 325i to 5 - speed, how is the Clutch pedals installed?I'm not going to do this conversion but With the motor and tranny out I know it would be alot easier?

I did the auto-manual conversion on my 325.

To answer your question, the brake and clutch pedals share the same mounting bracket which is different from the one in the automatic. So your stock pedal assembly will have to come out and the 5sp version (with clutch pedal) will bolt right in.

The complete conversion is not a quick job. Definately start with some sort of kit or donor car. There is much more to the swap than just the tranny, shift linkage and pedal assembly: different driveshaft, different tranny brace, master/slave cylinders, and you'll probably want to swap in a new differential since the 3.91 in the automatic 325 will be a bit extreme for everyday driving. (I left mine in)

Plus, there are plenty of misc. bits like the pilot bearing, the rubber dust cap that surrounds the shifter, and various "one-time-use" nuts & bolts that need accounted for. And lastly, there are few easy procedures to complete that aren't documented anywhere really except on the internet such as modifiying the brake fluid resevoir and rewiring the tail lights.

Took me nearly a week to do the full swap using jackstands, hand tools, and a semi-complete kit. Probably could be done in 4-5days in a proper shop.

**V-tecKILLAH** · 10-23-2006, 02:22 PM

Sounds like alot for the automatic to 5- speed conversion!! I'm sticking with the automatic its not my car. But If I do come across a good bargain on an E36 I will grab it becasue the E39 540i is not as fun to work on as the E36 plus the gas consumption is crazy. If the E36 that I get is Automatic I will more than consider the tranny swap.