best to start with 318 or 325?

[e34john]

does it matter which car i start with or will it be easier with the 6? the mountings arent the same from the m20 to m50 is it?

[DEV0 E30]

Realistically it would be better to start with a late model 325 because you can re-use the coolant overflow tank, radiator, coding plug, tach, etc. By "mountings" I think you mean motor mounts maybe? No they are not the same, you will still need to get the new ones. These are the small things though.

[Stu]

89-91 325i is nice because you can use the M20-cars:
-radiator
-overflow tank
-transmission, driveshaft, rearend

318is is you want a lightweight car

[kylebes1]

89-91 325i is nice because you can use the M20-cars:
-radiator
-overflow tank
-transmission, driveshaft, rearend

318is is you want a lightweight car

How much of the lightness is from the lack of ballast in the trunk and the m20 vs m42(m40 which ever)? Meaning if you have a shell what makes teh 325 heavier than the 318is?

[asubimmer]

How much of the lightness is from the lack of ballast in the trunk and the m20 vs m42(m40 which ever)? Meaning if you have a shell what makes teh 325 heavier than the 318is?

so what are you trying to say? :weak:

[Stu]

How much of the lightness is from the lack of ballast in the trunk and the m20 vs m42(m40 which ever)? Meaning if you have a shell what makes teh 325 heavier than the 318is?

There is the thick sound deadening in the trunk of the 325 (edit: sorry didn't read your post clearly enough)
More insulation under the interior carpet
smaller fuel tank = less weight when full : )
A no-sunroof 318is will especially be lighter

On the scales my 318is was 2620 with a chain-drive 6 and a heavier driveline, 325's seem to be in the 27's.

[DEV0 E30]

-transmission, driveshaft, rearend

Thanks Stu, I can't believe I forgot the important stuff. :)

[1990m3]

my 318is also came without a 8 speaker stereo, no OBC, crank sunroof, dinky little backseats...

all that stuff takes weight off also. is the 318is gas tank really smaller than the other e30's? I didn't know that

[Stu]

M42 cars (atleast coupe/sedan) have 13 gallon vs 16 gallon for the other cars. Not sure what M10 cars have.

Interestingly, if you put a 325i cluster in a 318is...the fuel guage will only read using the first half of the needle sweep. In other words, the tank is empty when it reads 1/2...but the light still comes on at the right time.
I was running my 318is like this for quite some time, just got around to putting a 318 fuel guage in it last week.

[1990m3]

why didn't you just run the stock gauge cluster with a 325i tach plug? Seems to work fine for me.

On a side note - my fuel needle moves really slowly, can I replace my float in my gas tank to get that thing reading in real time again? It takes like 5 minutes to read full after I gas the tank up

dave

[bmws50b30]

M42 cars (atleast coupe/sedan) have 13 gallon vs 16 gallon for the other cars. Not sure what M10 cars have.

Interestingly, if you put a 325i cluster in a 318is...the fuel guage will only read using the first half of the needle sweep. In other words, the tank is empty when it reads 1/2...but the light still comes on at the right time.
I was running my 318is like this for quite some time, just got around to putting a 318 fuel guage in it last week.

this is true. i replaced my 318is cluster with a VDO from a 325is and the fuel guage light comes on at 1/2. i need to swap the fuel guage too but i've never done this. what's involve and any tips on doing it?

[Stu]

why didn't you just run the stock gauge cluster with a 325i tach plug? Seems to work fine for me.

On a side note - my fuel needle moves really slowly, can I replace my float in my gas tank to get that thing reading in real time again? It takes like 5 minutes to read full after I gas the tank up

dave

Broke the tabs on the top of my 318 cluster, and the mileage stopped rolling over. Otherwise I would have done it the way you described.

Hmmm, no experience with the slow-moving needle. Maybe someone else can help there.


BMWS50B30--it's straight forward. Pull the cluster, split it in two, and take off the 8mm (or 10) nut on the backside, which holds the fuel guage in. After you loosen it, the guage will probably be stuck to the cluster, jiggle it a little and it should come out.

Just remembered--my sisters '84 318 with a 6cyl swap had the same issue, so I guess all 318's run the 13 gallon tank.