e46 engine swap
Discussion
Andy70 said:
hi there, I'm still considering an engine swap in a compact and wondered how long it would take to drop in say a 330 engine and other bits and pieces I might need? cheers
Andy
If you're talking about an E46 Compact, they made a 325ti, and I am pretty sure the 330 motor is externally pretty much the same (and internally extremely similar too). I would have thought that it would be a "relatively" straight swap to change a 25 out for a 30Andy
Yeah sounds really good, more importantly, it's the other implications I'd have such as how do mot stations work around the fact it isn't a standard car? Would I tell the DVLA as it's not got the original engine in and the biggy is insurance quotes, I pay less than 300 quid for the likes of M's and my audi s4 4.2, apart from 1 that can't be specific at around 450 quid most are coming in at a grand, purely because it's modified. any suggestions?
3-4 hours to change the engine? Not likely. Many hours. I can check on the BMW system later. Other parts needed/ recommended at the same time:
Water pump, thermostat, exp tank, downpipe gasket, coolant, oil, oil filter, sump gasket, cam cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, vacuum hoses, ccv valve and pipes, inlet and exh manifold gaskets. Throttle housing gasket, Disa valve seal. Vanos seals. Ex manifold nuts, downpipe nuts.
Water pump, thermostat, exp tank, downpipe gasket, coolant, oil, oil filter, sump gasket, cam cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, vacuum hoses, ccv valve and pipes, inlet and exh manifold gaskets. Throttle housing gasket, Disa valve seal. Vanos seals. Ex manifold nuts, downpipe nuts.
That's the one, some people charge book times, some people charge more or less, your best bet is speaking to the people doing it. From a by the book approach, DVLA should be informed of new capacity and engine no. However the 330 and 325 engines look identical. In the days of M52 block and Pistons replacements under warranty one customer came in driving a 323 and left in a 328. He was never told! (Wasn't me that fitted it!)
the strange thing is, Audi claim its a 28 hour job to take out the v8 and repair the chain tensioners and want a few grand for it too, how do they get those figures? (off topic I know, but just curious) with regards to the engine swap, even your times seem reasonable enough so I'll look further into insurance quotes
Andy70 said:
the strange thing is, Audi claim its a 28 hour job to take out the v8 and repair the chain tensioners and want a few grand for it too, how do they get those figures? (off topic I know, but just curious) with regards to the engine swap, even your times seem reasonable enough so I'll look further into insurance quotes
Audi's are notorious for getting the engine out, you have to take most of the front of the car apart.Recipe for disaster if you ask me!
Is the loom the same?
The clutch will surely be different.
The brakes will need to be changed too.
The insurance will need to be specialist & MUST be informed, or you are driving illegally.
I REALLY wouldn't bother.
Likely cost (including EVERYTHING) well over £1k.
Is the loom the same?
The clutch will surely be different.
The brakes will need to be changed too.
The insurance will need to be specialist & MUST be informed, or you are driving illegally.
I REALLY wouldn't bother.
Likely cost (including EVERYTHING) well over £1k.
I was thinking more like 2k for the work maybe a bit more with other bits and pieces, however It's something I'm just toying with, I just sold an S4, I can't afford an M3 these days so fancied a light compact and giving it some extra power, I realise it wont be as quick as an s4 or M3 but still should be fun, I'm trying to weigh up the cost difference between turbo/super charging a 325ti, massively upgrading a 325 engine, or dropping a 330 engine in. there is 40hp difference between a 325 and 330, so unlikely I'd ever get 40 horses from 'tinkering' with the standard engine, so wondered if I could pick one up cheap with a duff engine and dropping a bigger one in, I have a few grand to play with from my car I just sold
Andy70 said:
I suppose that would explain it, so with regards engine swap, do you tell the tester that its a 330 engine and alter emissions parameters?
Emissions test will be the same. I presume the swop is a 325ti as the base car. I think you can use the original loom if so, the ecu will adapt to the new engine. Someone such as "the End",* should be able to confirm this. (End Tuning), though a custom map may bring more gains. Re brakes etc the 330 runs larger brakes, and possibly wheel bearings so complete hubs and rear arms would make an easier conversion. 330 brakes do need 17" wheels though. Or you could upgrade the original brakes. A new clutch would be wise too.Good luck with the project, I expect a write up.
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