90 325i swap a bmw 4.0 V8

[bmwmike]

What problems would I get if I tried to swap a v8 from the 540's into a e30? Would it at all be possible? I would have the transmission from the V8, would the e30's diff hold up?

[bmwmike]

oh and i would have the ecu and wiring harness from the 5 as well

[bmwmike]

and the 4.0 is from the e34 not the e39

[UNHCLL]

needs remote vaccuum booster for brakes, motor mounts, some tranny tunnel clearance issues, etc etc.

Yes the diff will hold up, as long as you have a large case diff.

go to www.e30.de and look over the detailed pictures of Tino's v8 swap.

http://www.behindmatrix.com/e30/fotost/f00599/f00599.htm

use babelfish to translate to english

[bmwmike]

I'm still confused though, did he use the V8 mounts? And which models does that large case diff typically come in?

[bmwmike]

Also Ive found the motor cheap, would anyone know where I could get the manual transmission that goes with that motor for cheap?

[UNHCLL]

Also Ive found the motor cheap, would anyone know where I could get the manual transmission that goes with that motor for cheap?

have you checked to make sure its not one of the Alusil blocks?

You may have found it cheap since it will need to be "thrown away" fairly soon.

Unsure about what he used for motor mounts.
E-mail him and ask, he is a very helpful person

[ragehardintothebendies]

You would probabley want to use the 5speed from a 530 which is lighter than the 6speed.

IIRC you can use the stock 325 harness with the 540 DME but have to use a section from an E36 harness to connect the two.
I have a note somewhere at home regarding which mounts can be used, will have to dig that up.

The diff will probabley hold up but you will probabley want more lockup with all that tourque, and you need a custom driveshaft.
I think you also need a remote oil filter setup.

What else?
Oh for some reason I think that you have to figure out some way to stop the v8 shifting too far foward and hitting the rad under braking. Is there a bumpstop or somthing that the 325ix uses for this purpose?

[Funky Bottoms]

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/
try there they did a swap kinda like what you want

[bmwmike]

thanks for the help guys, any more tips or ideas I would appreciate, I've actually found several motors, I've been doing a lot of searching. They all have warranties and some thoroughly checked and by cheap I mean around 2 grand. Some have pretty low miles as well. I've also found some 6 speed tranny's, there all around 2 grand as well...

[bmwmike]

I thought the nikasil blocks are the bad ones, the Alusil blocks started in 96. I thought the nickel blocks have trouble and need to be thrown away?

[Nate325ic]

I thought the nikasil blocks are the bad ones, the Alusil blocks started in 96. I thought the nickel blocks have trouble and need to be thrown away?

nikasil blocks are the bad ones. The usa has fuel with higher sulfer levels which kill the nickel bore linings. so they switched to alusil to solve the problem

[george graves]

What are you high??? - that motor is a direct bolt up.

8)

[nando]

*chanting* do it! do it! do it! :)

FYI your car has a large case diff, but you'd definetly want LSD with a V8.. might want to check and see if the one you have is (they were optional on your model).

[bmwmike]

aright well I definetely am planning on doing it even though I know its a lot of work and Ill have a lot of troubles.... Expect the project to begin the winter or by spring at the latest, in the meantime I need all the info on anything that can help me along the way what parts needed and will work correctly. So far Im looking at a 96 motor which isnt nikasil, with a 6 speed manual. The ecu will be from the V8. The radiator I think may fit but I'm not sure if it will have the cooling power for the bigger engine? The engine mounts I could get from an alpina B8 but it seems they're very expensive so custom fabricated mounts will be made and hopefully I can do some extras for other people interested in this project later. The gearbox mounts im still not certain what to expect? I have got some ideas from other e30 project cars though on some of the sights you guys suggested... The driveshaft will have to be customized I'm assuming. The V8 exhaust manifolds will probably require some work to be done to the firewall for a possible fit in the car? The stock rear end will do at the start but definetely need a change sooner than later. The car should be on H&R cupkit springs and because the V8 is all aluminum weight will not be an issue. The exhaust will be custom made at a local shop. Any other ideas suggestions? Also I've tried to contact the guys at akg numerous times by phone and email but they haven't responded? Thanks and Ill keep everyone posted