I was following a salvage auction yesterday, and

[91Saleen#15]

had a chance to pick up a wrecked 97 328is with minor damage in the front and massive damage in the rear..... so I did. 'got it for less than a thou. It's a stick car with about 100k on the odometer.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to come back to this web site and make sure it is a good candidate for swapping the motor into an e30. It seems like I read here a while back that the OBDII motors are harder to swap. Did I screw up?

[Sean]

They are, but I'm pretty sure you can swap the head and convert to OBDI for not a whole lot.

If I ever did a 328i, I'd go the aluminum block route, personally.

Something funny - the way that totalled rear end looks, kinda makes it look like a Mercedes at first glance. lol

[parkerbink]

Worst case you can sell the interior and rims/tires and get your -1k back. Can't he use these 5lug parts?

[Il Duce]

only the front control arms.

[91Saleen#15]

only the front control arms.

I thought I read somewhere that other parts could be used, but maybe my memory is bad.

BTW, you and I spoke for a while at Santa Barbara. I made some comments to you about the use of Il Duce as your forum name.

[2002maniac]

They are, but I'm pretty sure you can swap the head and convert to OBDI for not a whole lot.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the head does not need to be swapped to do an obd1 conversion.

Someone post a link to OBD1 swap please...

[Sean]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the head does not need to be swapped to do an obd1 conversion.

Someone post a link to OBD1 swap please...

You're probably right.

I'm not sure how the conversion goes - but lets just say, it can be done.

[Il Duce]

I thought I read somewhere that other parts could be used, but maybe my memory is bad.

BTW, you and I spoke for a while at Santa Barbara. I made some comments to you about the use of Il Duce as your forum name.

hehe. yeah, i remember you man...


the fronts are useable, however you'll need 318ti trailing arms if you wanted to complete the swap.

good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[Axxe]

Need to swap some sensors and you're good.

[blunttech]

obd2 head is fine. youll need cam and crank sensors,ping sensors,intake and throttle body and a few other misc items. nice score for 1k. you cant go wrong for that

[Ryan Stewart]

Yeah, you could easily pay it off by parting out the interior and other shit that wasnt fubar'd.

Shit the wheels alone would pay off your labor of parting it out. So basically youd have a free M52.

[Erick]

hehe. yeah, i remember you man...


the fronts are useable, however you'll need 318ti trailing arms if you wanted to complete the swap.

good luck with whatever you choose to do.

That thing is basically a 318ti now.... maybe it suddenly has trailing arms :)

[FredK]

Also, the 328i has the OBD-II midpipe, which is a true dual pipe design and shares the same part number as the OBD-II M3.

You should be able to use the 328i driveshaft with the 328i ZF 310/320 transmission for the swap.

The M52 is a pretty capable engine. If you convert it to OBD-II and swap in some S52 cams (around $250 - 300), you can make a tad over 200 whp with a few other mods.

Other items that you can sell for a decent price include the OBD-II air pump that is on the passenger side of the car, next to the wheelwell. These go for around $50 - 75. The climate control computer is worth around $75. You can sell the sunroof cassette for around $125. That's a sick pickup for $1000.

[91Saleen#15]

You should be able to use the 328i driveshaft with the 328i ZF 310/320 transmission for the swap.

Are you implying that the car has a ZF transmission, or that I can use the driveshaft if I get a ZF transmission?

I haven't picked the car up yet, so I haven't had a chance to look at it up close. I get it tomorrow. Here is what the front of the car looks like.

[FredK]

Yes, the 328i has a ZF 310/320 transmission, the same one found in the 95-99 M3. I am 95% certain you can use the driveshaft for the swap as well.

Hey, looks like you can salvage the fog lights too! ;)