what can i use/swap?????????

[new2bmw]

i have a 89 325i manual tranny with a crap frame, i also have an 84 318i auto that is in great condition. i was wondering what i can snag off of the 89 325i to use on my 84 318i. tranny, rear disc brakes, diff, headlights etc? i dont think i can swap much but i need to know everything i can before i scrap the 89.

[daniel]

things related to electricity, like headlights, may require different/custom wiring.

[new2bmw]

swap

ok, if i swap the m20 in there, how are my h&r and bilsteins that are meant for the 318i going to hold up? also what about wiring and all that stuff. The m10 has 221000 and the m20 has 300000 on it, will the m20 last and make it worth the swap? the other route i can go is to sell stuff from the 325i and get a 5 speed swap for the 318i along with parts to turbo the m10. what would you guys do if you had an shit body/frame 89 325i and a good 318i sittng in your driveway? let me know everything you would switch? or what you wouldnt switch..

[Jean]

Here is what I would do:

Pull the rear end (subframe/trailing arms/lsd) complete from the 325i. Prep them (clean them up, install new subframe/trailing arm bushings and new rear 4 brake lines.

Pull the complete m20 with the tranny/radiator/driveshaft/engine harness out of the 325i. Take the 325i apart, clean it up, replace the old gaskets/seals/hoses.

Scrap the rusty 325i shell.

Install the cleaned up rear end and engine/tranny into your 318i. It won't be a "plug and play" but it will be pretty damn near it.

Front headlights/seats/interior panels/glass/trunk/hood/suspension are some of the components that will swap over from one to another.

[new2bmw]

thanks

hey jean hows it going? so you would definately swap the higher km m20 in place of the 318i. even if i turbo the 318 i guess the power would be better from the 325i. i have 2 m10's and an m20 now. how do you think the new h&r springs and bilstein shocks i bought for the 318i will work with the 325 in there? is it going to handle like crap because of the extra weight or will the car handle almost the same as when the m10 was in there?

[Jean]

I would check the m20 first, do you have compression / leak down numbers on it? while the engine is out, it's easy to replace old gaskets/seals/hoses etc..

Bilsteins/h&r sports will be fine as well, might be a little lower in the front (1/4-1/2 at most).

[new2bmw]

turbo or swap?

which will be the best way to get the most power at the best price , turbo the m10 or swap in the m20. what i have i have for a m10 turbo build so far is a Dinan log manifold and a turbo and intercooler. for the m20 swap i have the complete 325i , minus whatever is needed to be bought/replaced during the swap. what would you do?
thanks guys