pros and cons of using a 318is as a swap platform?

[amdspitfire]

What are the pros and cons of using a 1991 318is as an engine swap candidate?

Pros: Lighter?
Cons: LSD Optional (not sure if it has this yet)

I found a great condition 1991 318is with a bad m42 in it and want to know if this is a good platform. Car has 170k and is clean inside and out.

Is the tranny different on this than what came on the 325i's? Weaker driveshaft?

[MikeE30325i]

that would probably be one of the best platforms to start with.

and since it is a 318is it has an LSD, unless one of the PO's swapped it out. just looked for a stamped "S" on the back of your diff.

and the trannies arent the same. and the driveshaft isnt any weaker...

[Mike325]

I am pretty sure the 91 318is is the lightest factory e30 made.

[amdspitfire]

I am pretty sure the 91 318is is the lightest factory e30 made.

whats contributing to the weight loss?

[FredK]

The 318is comes with a small case (typ 168 ) diff that will NOT handle abuse from any six cylinder engine. You will need to upgrade to a medium case diff (such as the S3.73 from a 325is).

The driveshaft is a throwaway item, because it is incompatible with nearly, if not all, common engine swaps. Not a big deal, in my opinion.

Aside from that, it is light because it has no soundproofing in the trunk. The 318is also has shadowline trim from the factory.

[FredK]

I also believe the early body m10-based 318i was the lightest E30, but don't quote me on that!

[MikeE30325i]

No, the late model was lighter.

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

and amdspitfire, if you are going to swap it out, get the whole drivetrain. makes it much easier.

[FredK]

No, the late model was lighter.

Wrong. Trent weighed his early body 318i stock and it was at 2370 lbs. Please show me a stock 318is that is at less than that.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/breakdown.htm

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

Shadowline was not a standard item on any car except the 318is.

[amdspitfire]

No, the late model was lighter.

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

and amdspitfire, if you are going to swap it out, get the whole drivetrain. makes it much easier.

swap will be a s50/52 :D or m52 :( so I will need to pick up the diff and drive shaft from an e30 325? Will be using the e36 tranny.

[Jean]

swap will be a s50/52 :D or m52 :( so I will need to pick up the diff and drive shaft from an e30 325? Will be using the e36 tranny.

You better go get the car soon or it will be mine ;)

[Erick]

Holy f*cking misinformation thread.

that would probably be one of the best platforms to start with.

And the reason being..............(awaits for someone to yell "m42")

and since it is a 318is it has an LSD, unless one of the PO's swapped it out. just looked for a stamped "S" on the back of your diff.

Try again. It was a factory optional on 318iS (although a common one). But Unlike its 6 cylinder sport models, it carried a small case lsd, which could not hold any more power than it's stock motor. If you ever swapped something, that diff would have to go.

I am pretty sure the 91 318is is the lightest factory e30 made.

Going on a limb here, but the lightest was a crank window, (maybe non-PS), non-sunroof 2dr 5spd '84-85 318i. Don't quote me 100% on that but I am fairly sure the later models outweigh the earlier ones.

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

Wrong again. The later model 6 cylinders had partial shadowlining. Most people usually refer to the shadowlining as the window trim. That trim, only the 318iS had with no chrome. The 325i/S did however come with door trims that showed no chrome after either 87-88. There might have been some other light shadowlining but I cannot completely recall at this point.

FredK is the most knowledgeable person in this thread so far. Listen to him and call it a thread.

[amdspitfire]

You better go get the car soon or it will be mine ;)

back off my car! You already have an e30!

[Mike325]

Wrong. Trent weighed his early body 318i stock and it was at 2370 lbs. Please show me a stock 318is that is at less than that.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/breakdown.htm

Shadowline was not a standard item on any car except the 318is.

LOL;)

[euroshark]

Werd, 318i or the first couple years of 325e are the lightest E30s you can get I believe, with the 318i coming in under 2400lbs and the 325e right around 2650lbs or so.

[backtrail69]

My 87 325e sans trunk tar and w/ euro bumpers is 2680....and my 325is with a plastic bumper swap, leather, turbo, IC and trunk tar is only 2760...