Some Advice Please

[v8fc3s]

Hey everybody, I was hoping some of you can give me your opinion. There is a good possibility I will be selling my '87 vert tomorrow because I am looking for a hardtop. Anyways, I will hopefully be getting something around 3k in which I will use towards the hardtop. There are a few 325e's running fairly cheap (about 1500). most likely they have DB bumpers though >.<. And from my understanding, the e series have less hp... how much less?

long story short, how much does it cost to do a bumper swap?
and how much less hp does the 325e have compared to the 325i?

thanks for your help :-D

[xwill112x]

the e has like 120 horsepower, as the i typically has around 150-160.


but the e has tons more torque and lots better mpg.

[ak-]

Bumper swaps don't really "cost" anything, go out and buy them from somebody. If your car is an '88e, you can just swap them out for plastics. If it is pre '88, then you will have to do some fab work in the rear and the front is somewhat easier from what I hear.

Help @ this thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=41969


1984-1985 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 101 hp (75 kW) - North America
1991 318iS - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 134 hp (100 kW) - North America
1984-1988 325e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
1986 325es - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
1987-1991 325i/is - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 168 hp (125 kW) - North America
1988-1991 325ix - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 168 hp (125 kW) - North America
1988-1991 M3 - 2.3 L S14 I4, 192 hp (143 kW) - North America

[Holland]

If you already have an i car then you will probably be a bit disappointed with an e, also if you prefer plastic bumpers then get a car with plastics, it will save you a lot of trouble. The 88 is an exception because plastics are a direct swap.

[v8fc3s]

thanks for the answers guys!
there is one selling with the plastics (an '89 325i), its just that that car is going for 2600 unlike the 325e which i saw going for about 1500. I wanted more money to play with, but i guess i will look into the i to just do it right the first time...

[StereoInstaller1]

find yourself an 88 325e.

For now, swap in a 3.73 LSD and buy a chip

Later, do all 325i intake/cam/valvesprings and with some aftermarket tuning majic you might see close to 175WHP.

Plastics are a direct swap, as was mentioned before

[884door]

I have an 88 325e that needs some work but runs pretty good, along with a nice rebuilt 325i top end, ecu and 3.73 diff. Plastic bumper swap already done, has sport seats and lowered on bilsteins/eibachs. I also have a new head gasket, timing belt, head bolts etc.

The car has a few little issues and needs body work but I'll sell the whole package for $1500.

[v8fc3s]

^^ does that include the ebay chip? lol jkjk but will i need to change the injectors with that? how much will the chip run me?

^if you were in miami...

[Strelok]

Just swap out the head for an i one and make it a 2.7 stroker. Then you'll come out way ahead.

[v8fc3s]

im a noob to this so im gonna ask it anyways... to be a stroker, doesnt it have to be bored out? cause that is way to expensive and more work then im willing to do.

but if just changing the head will do alot then im down to get a 325e. also, what do they redline at stock? i saw a video of one only getting to 5k

[Wh33lhop]

im a noob to this so im gonna ask it anyways... to be a stroker, doesnt it have to be bored out? cause that is way to expensive and more work then im willing to do.

Haha, no. Strokers are stroked, not necessarily bored. :)

Stroke = piston travel (up and down)
Bore = piston diameter

but if just changing the head will do alot then im down to get a 325e. also, what do they redline at stock? i saw a video of one only getting to 5k

You actually don't even need to change out the head, the super eta already has the "i" 885 head--you just need to swap out the cams, valve springs and the intake. Super etas redline at 5k. When you do the cam/spring swap, you can rev to 6500 or 7k.

[Strelok]

^ Everyone always talks about the advantages of super eta's, but I find it a little unrealistic considering how hard they are to find. It's one year only. For any other eta (84-87) you do need the entire head.

But it's worth it, trust me. My car is stroked and it hauls. It's close to being as fast as a basic M50 swap.

[T Verdier]

the e has like 120 horsepower, as the i typically has around 150-160.


but the e has tons more torque and lots better mpg.

dont buy an e with false hopes of building it up as a stroker!
they are slow! you dont feel the torque, its just slow. i have both or should i say the wife has an "e". and i have an "i"

[T Verdier]

3k is enough for a 325is in fair condition.

[v8fc3s]

no dont get me wrong, there are 325i's for sale in great condition, i just want some left over money to play around with it. how much do you think it would cost to make a stroker with junkyard e30 parts?


EDIT: what year and model will i have to get these parts off of? will any e30 325i work? and will these parts bolt right in?