Crossroads

[PKblu]

Unintentionally ended up with a 1989 325ix Auto. Car is in good condition with only two owners previously. It is completely unmolested.

We are at a crossroads as what to do with this car, and considering the following options.

Option #1 - Pull the motor, go through it, do a manual swap, and turbo the M20. Not really getting into it too much yet the guess is this is a $8k-$10k project. Really like turbo cars, and the idea of all wheel drive. However the rarity of some of the necessary parts and the age of the current drivetrain have me thinking this will be the most costly option.

Option #2 - Do an LS-swap. Not sure if this is even possible. Would not attempt to save the all-wheel drive system in doing this, and make the car rear wheel drive only. Really have the urge to build an LS-swap car, and like the idea of something the tires can be baked off of if desired. Understand that cutting up a IX is frowned upon, however always liked the look of the IX, and it is what I currently have.

Option #3 - Sell the car.

Thoughts?

[101]

Option #1 would be a ton of fun. Others can chime in about the ability of the IX transfer case and front diff to handle the added power of a turbo setup.

I'd definitely vote against Option #2. The geometry of the front suspension on an IX is different enough that you'd not like the resulting handling characteristics of the finished product. If you want to do an LS swap and have it look like an IX it's far easier to just add the IX side skirts to a RWD car.

Option #3 would be my choice. Sell this one for a decent profit and find a RWD car to turbo.

[ELVA164]

Hey, Poughkeepsie! Good to see a local guy(?) on here. I may be able to help your decision somewhat if you PM me. Also, is your name a Pokemon reference?

[jlevie]

My suggestion is, depending on the mileage, would be to go through the suspension and drive train and get it in good condition. If the car has a high mileage engine, a rebuild, or even a good low mileage used engine would be appropriate. Then drive the car a while. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the performance and may decide to re-consider adding a turbo.

If done really well, read expensively, a turbo of modest boost can be nice and reasonably reliable. But the stock configuration has a lot going for it.

I am definitely against option 2 on an ix.