Using a 325ix block in a 325i?

[BAR51]

I have a m20b25 that has nasty scratches inside two of the cylinder bores. I also have a 325ix block that is in good shape.

Does anyone know what mods I need to make to the ix block in order to use it with the rest of the components from my 325i motor? I know, that I'll need the 325i oil pump and the oil pan. But are there other internal differences in the ix block that will prevent me from using it?

Thanks.

[Chruby99]

Oil pan may be missing a couple holes into the block. The iX has a gap for clearance for the passenger axle shaft.

[vert_this]

I had a 325i years ago that had an IX block in it. I know the obvious had to swapped out, pan and pump. The other thing is the dip stick hole had to be capped off cause its back further. It worked just fine though. I didn't even know I had it honestly however my buddy was a indy tech at the time and I had a vac leak, low idle. He checked it out and said I had an IX block and for whatever reason the dipstick hole wasn't capped off. I capped it off with a piece of hose and a clamp and bolt. The problem with the idle was gone. This was like my first e30 but yeah IX blocks will work. The thing even had the spot for the dipstick up front where the norm 2wd hole goes.

I think I remember him saying you could use the IX in the 2wd but you couldn't go the other way. I dunno though its been close to 20 years.

[jozzze2000]

You are going to fix a dipstick "problem", there is no hole on the block.
Easy fix is to use e34 m20 oilpan with dipstick. For some reason e34 has a dipstick directly through oilpan, not through block like e30 m20.