e30 block differences

[jrabbit]

curious if 325i blocks will interchange, have a stroker bottom end with MM pistons, would like to put in my ix. I know about oil pump differences, curious about motor mount bracket mounting and any internal differences.

thanks,
JJ

[nando]

the ix uses a different oil pump and intermediate shaft gear. you'll have to remove the oil pressure regulator from the RWD block. there's nowhere to put a dipstick for the ix.

best bet - remove the internals from your RWD block, put them in an ix block.

[jrabbit]

thanks

[MikeDE]

the ix uses a different oil pump and intermediate shaft gear. you'll have to remove the oil pressure regulator from the RWD block. there's nowhere to put a dipstick for the ix.

best bet - remove the internals from your RWD block, put them in an ix block.

Do a 2.7 while you're at it.

[tirefryer]

so in other words, I cannot just yank my motor out of my 89 325ix and replace it with another M20 motor (after swapping out the ix specific oil pan)?

[Ceeker]

the dipstick hole is in a different location on a reg m20 vs m20 IX. you would have to plug the M20 hole and drill a new one for the IX dipstick location. it is possible, but maybe easier just to swap the internals over to the IX block.