Some 24v swap questions

[Turf1600]

If MPG is your main goal, then shouldn't you be looking at a 4 cyl instead ?

Well sure - but I don't want a loss of power. This will gain some mpg and a few horses. Win win.

[Jean]

If MPG is your main goal, then shouldn't you be looking at a 4 cyl instead ?

[Van Westervelt]

There is a 95 auto local here with 80-90k on it for 1200

[Turf1600]

There's a wrecked 94 auto - but the guy wants 1200 for it. I may offer 800

[Van Westervelt]

Cool man thanks. There's a couple of wrecked 525is local to me - I may snag one if the price is right (looking to spend 6-700)

Make sure that it is a 93-95. 92's can work but arent as ideal.

[Turf1600]

Cool man thanks. There's a couple of wrecked 525is local to me - I may snag one if the price is right (looking to spend 6-700)

[PiercedE30]

I can get you the oil pan/pick up for pretty cheap if need be.

[Turf1600]

In my opinion, the best parts car is the one that you can find locally, test for functionality (compression, leakdown, idle quality), and can get the cheapest. An engine you can fully test will end up being the "cheapest"--you won't expend all this energy worrying about having inserted a possibly blown engine, or rebuilding one that doesn't check out properly.

If you can find a 525i oilpan inexpensively first, you can focus your energy to finding a good condition E36 325i. I am a fan of using the E36/34 manual transmission, so it'd be a priority for me to find a car with a manual. If you get an E36, you can use the manual driveshaft.

So there isn't a bar-none, "yes, definitely get X car" rule. It's whatever you can procure locally, easily, while achieving some price efficiency.

I bet you could make more money parting out an E36, but that's just a hunch.

Yeah - I've got my eyes peeled for a wrecked e36 or e34 locally. I may hit up some yards this weekend for the 7 series booster and maybe a z3 rack. I'm really doing this because I don't want to drop and maint. cash on my m20 (time for tbelt and tune up) - and im getting shit mileage. However, the m20 may find it's way into my 1600.

[FredK]

In my opinion, the best parts car is the one that you can find locally, test for functionality (compression, leakdown, idle quality), and can get the cheapest. An engine you can fully test will end up being the "cheapest"--you won't expend all this energy worrying about having inserted a possibly blown engine, or rebuilding one that doesn't check out properly.

If you can find a 525i oilpan inexpensively first, you can focus your energy to finding a good condition E36 325i. I am a fan of using the E36/34 manual transmission, so it'd be a priority for me to find a car with a manual. If you get an E36, you can use the manual driveshaft.

So there isn't a bar-none, "yes, definitely get X car" rule. It's whatever you can procure locally, easily, while achieving some price efficiency.

I bet you could make more money parting out an E36, but that's just a hunch.

[Turf1600]

3,383 posts and still a noob

I'm impatient and I get irritated with misinformation. the 24v forum is not my favorite place. People need to have permission to post "facts" in here.

[matt]

Assuming both are running perfectly and driven the same way, the vanos motor will provide better economy.

Newer is always better.

[FredK]

jk

[FredK]

3,383 posts and still a noob

[Turf1600]

Well, maybe. There are always tradeoffs... you'll have the oil pan, but you'll need motor mount arms and a different radiator. If you get an e36 325i, you'll have a radiator to use but you'll need an oil pan and pick up.

The best parts car is the one that's cheapest and runs the best and provides the best combo of parts for the price.

Makes good sense. Thank you Matt. One more easy one I can never get a straight answer from - fuel consumption in vanos vs non vanos? I want the best possible fuel economy out of this.

[Jean]

I vote e34 525i 5spd.