Need ideas and help. Take a look at what I have.

[Link]

I am new to the BMW world, my buddy was going to swap a 5.0 SBC into this 318i but had to leave for college before doing so. When he removed the old motor he did it with no care, and just cut the harness at the fire wall as he was planning to go carbureted. And he cut away most the top of the front core support in order to move the radiator forward, he also F*^cked up the hood latch and smashed it like none other. So he sold all the v8 shit and now i have a clean and straight 318i, with a full nice interior.

What can i do?

I have a mangled wire harness. If I wanted to go M20 how would i? Full new wire harness? What other BMW swaps could i do that would fit well. How can i fix the hood latch and core support cleanly? I wouldn't plan to run A/C, and power steering is optional because he just has the lines looped currently.

I am open to all ideas. If this isn't the right spot for this i am sorry, just looking for help.

Links to builds starting from just a shell would be awesome.

EDIT: How much is involved in putting another motor in? I could get the old m10 and all mounts but would need a wire harness, driveshaft and shifter linkage. I want the easiest cheapest route. looking at about $400. Just want it to be running.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Did he cut it before the engine to body harness connector? Pictures would really help.

[dnguyen1963]

And you called him your buddy? He sold the V8 that was supposed to go into your car? What a guy.

[jlevie]

You can weld in a replacement core support. Unless you were installing the same engine the car came with, you'll need a different harness anyway, so that isn't much of an issue.

What engine to use is mostly a matter of how much you are willing to spend and how much work you are willing to do. The easiest (and cheapest) would be one of the engines that came in E30's.

[Link]

IM thinking a 2.7L 6 cylinder, the harness was cut after the computer mounted on the fire wall. and where would i go about finding a replacement core support, Craigslist doesn't seem to have anyone with that. and he is my buddy because he practically gave me the shell. I want to spend about 1-2k on the swap. obviously cheaper is better, but i want to do it the right way.

[ScHpAnKy]

what year 318i? If it's a '91 an m5x will drop in and mate to that tranny with an 5spd e36 driveshaft

[Link]

its a 1984 318i, i drove in the car with the stock motor setup and hated the way the tranny was geared, so i want a new tranny as well, he has a welded diff that i plan on running for awhile though, ill be picking up a core support and hood latch tomorrow, so maybe i will start a build thread with some pictures.

[jlevie]

and where would i go about finding a replacement core support

The core support is available as a new part from BMW, or you can get one for less money from a salvage yard.

[Link]

I know I found one for $30 that comes with the hood latch.

[Jaxx_]

well the wire harness is pretty much neither here nor there, you wouldn't use it for any type of swap. So you can finish ripping the engine harness out.

[Link]

I don't need any of the engine harness? is it a one or two piece harness? and is it connected to the head light and such harness?

[dnguyen1963]

IM thinking a 2.7L 6 cylinder, the harness was cut after the computer mounted on the fire wall. and where would i go about finding a replacement core support, Craigslist doesn't seem to have anyone with that. and he is my buddy because he practically gave me the shell. I want to spend about 1-2k on the swap. obviously cheaper is better, but i want to do it the right way.

My bad...so it was his car and he had every right to do what he did.

[Link]

dnguyen1963 why do you post? are you one of those guys that just sit on forums being unhelpful because you don't know anything?

[Farbin Kaiber]

I don't need any of the engine harness? is it a one or two piece harness? and is it connected to the head light and such harness?

It's two piece, pull the DME (Computer) out of the glovebox, pull the pigtail chunk of harness off and out of the firewall. On the early 318's there is a small square gray connector near the fusebox, that is where the engine harness connects to the body harness. You should have no problems from there in regards to your friends hacking.

[Link]

Thanks Farbin for your help, both times. haha