325i M20 to 325e body

[blck325is]

I got a decent bodied eta body to replace my beat up 325i body. I'm swapping the engine and transmission from the 325i to the eta body. I have a couple of questions on what problems I could run into. So far I know I need to pull the cluster gauge from the 325i because the m20 revs higher than the 5000 that the eta gauge allows. Here are my questions:
1. Will I need to pull the entire wiring harness in order to complete the swap with no issues. If so, will I need to remove my dash for that? I'm open to that but I need to know just how big of a project it will be.
2. Are there any other issues I need to be aware of when swapping the engines?
I figure after the wiring harness issue that it should be pretty straight forward although I could be missing something. I'm tearing into the eta tomorrow and removing the engine and transmission.

I really want the eta to be running before the weekend..

[MR 325]

You need to swap the engine harness. You will also need to build a wiring adapter to plug your i harness in to the 85's rectangular engine harness plug.

I would also reccomend swapping the complete late model cooling system in to the Eta as well.

[MR 325]

PS: Both motors are an M20. ;)

[blck325is]

Yeah... I am slowww...

[Luis325]

To swap the Engine harness you will need to modiffy the hole where the harness exits to the engine bay... The I harness is bigger than the E and wont fit through the firewall.... Very simple to do, but something many people dont say...

[cobraken]

Why do you suggest swapping the new cooling system? Im doing this swap the first week in March and thought I would just put an E waterpump on my I engine.

[SpecM]

Why do you suggest swapping the new cooling system? Im doing this swap the first week in March and thought I would just put an E waterpump on my I engine.

it is an improved cooling settup, and is easier to work around (less cluttered)

and I would recomend getting a new WP, they aren't expensive at all

[hotballs]

The fuel pump setup on the eta might be different from your i, depending on the year of the two vehicles. What year is the i?

There is a three wire little square connector on the eta harness right by the ecu that you'll need to start the car and run the tach. If the 'i' harness is an 87 you'll be ok, I think it has that connector. Also the alternator is bigger on a 'i' than in a eta so maybe have the correct relay/fuse for that.

[cobraken]

Its an 1986 325e getting a 1990 325i engine. I have the entire I parts car to pull parts from.

[hotballs]

Its an 1986 325e getting a 1990 325i engine. I have the entire I parts car to pull parts from.

Hmm..yeah so the 90 has one intank fuel pump and the 86, the motor's going into, has two fuel pumps. One outside, and one in the tank. You do have the parts right there from the 90 if you want to swap those. I don't know the pros/cons, just that they're different.

And look out for that three wire connector by the ecu on the eta. You're not going to have that on the 90 engine harness. You'll have to find the green, black and yellow wire, splice them into the body harness of the eta. That's the main thing usually in the way.

Making the connector from the square c101 to round is simple enough, there is a diagram that everyone has and will scream at you if you ask for it.

Going from plastic bumpers to diving boards? Man it must be a pretty beat 90! :)