Re 325ti 330 conversion
Discussion
I posted a thread a while ago regarding converting a 325 with a 330 engine, unfortunately the engines I had in mind have gone and the only ones that seem to be available are well over a grand so that's out the question by the time you add everything else into the equation I may as well just turbo charge my existing one, at the time on ebay there were a couple of bargains, a 330 engine gearbox and loom etc for 500 quid, so add that to the 10 hours labour at Redish, that's not bad gains for not so much money (193hp to 330hp), so any way unless another bargain comes along that's out the window.... So my next option is, is just a straight forward re-map to just pep it up a bit, but Im still wondering if there is anything that could be changed/upgraded to compliment the re-map a bit, for example is there any or much difference between the 325 inlet manifold and throttle bodies and the 330 one? because they can be picked up for peanuts, id just love to squeeze that extra little bit out of it if poss that's all.
cheers!!
cheers!!
I believe that 330 inlet manifolds do fit, but also reading conflicting info as to what is needed, they guy selling the manifold, throttle body and injectors says you could do with suitable hoses and disa valve, but not necessary as all the power is gained from the increased size of the manifold, however after reading conversion threads from forums, it seems that it isn't as simple as that, more is needed (at much greater expense) to make this conversion work, any experts on here that can shed genuine light on this please. Cheers
If you have a 325i/325ti and fit a 330i manifold you won't gain much. The 325i and 330i M54s both have deresricted inlet manifolds. The manifold design on the M52tu 323/328i was restricted due to German tax laws. Fit a 330 manifold to a 328i=a nice slice more power. 330i manifold to 325i=? Not a lot. 330 engines seem to be around £600 on eBay. There was even a 330i sold for £600 today.
I've had faster cars, just sold a 4.2 s4 and owned 2 m3's, the audi has a potential timing chain issue I didn't want to be lumbered with so sold it while it was in very good condition and a decent m3 is out of my budget as I have work to do on the house so I wanted a small, light, rear drive car and the 2.5 is the biggest engine available so just wanted to try to squeeze a bit more out of it without spending a fortune
helix402 said:
"Not much" Afraid I've never seen any before/after power figures for a 2.5 with a 3.0l manifold on.
any way, where was I, no, sorry, I wasn't after specific figures I'm just trying to establish that I wouldn't be opening a can of worms needing more and more stuff I was unaware of for just a few extra horses and torque. I just wanted to establish that they weren't identical and there was a size difference just to get a bit more out of it when I get a remap that's all, after all the part I want is only 100 quid, so thought it worth it even if its marginal. I just didn't want to be in a position where I bought it and turned out I needed this, that and the other I didn't foresee then and needing to spend much more that I didn't know about, OR having a car half stripped then realising something didn't fit AND making no difference at all as they may have been exactly the same sizeToltec said:
Looks like there are three on eBay for £600 - £700
yeah the one I saw was 600 quid, with gearbox and loom, so nice and easy, the one now is from an auto box and the other is a bare engine. did the 330 not have a six speed gearbox? if so would the engine be compatible with a 325 5 speed? I may be wrong any way I was starting to think that this was more trouble than it was worth especially as the lump I was after that could have simplified everything has gone, so I'd settle for a few extra horses from a remap hopefully boosted by something I'd hope was a simple swap such as an air intake, throttle body and injectors (that's what come with the package)e30m3Mark said:
Excuse the thread bump but wondered if the 330 inlet swap was any more common 2 years on?
hi there, ive found out since that the 330i and 325i inlet manifold are the same part number so therefore exactly the same part, something I found out a little while ago so gave up on that idea. I recon the best mod you could do to improve breathing is get a 330i throttle body (which I believe is the same fit as the 325), but it is a 68mm bore not 64mm and get that enlarged to 72mm, but you will need the relevant hoses etc to go with it as I believe that is the difference externally between the 325 and 330 ( believe me I researched these options for a long time), I know a guy who enlarges them by 4mm for 100 quid, that is how I know the 325 is 64mm, cos he will enlarge them to 68mm, so you fit an enlarged 330i body that's 8mm difference. I now drive an e90 and he done mine while I waited, I think it was 80mm but he took it to 84mm, I was well pleased, a very professional jobSearider said:
What’s your budget for the 330 conversion plus the value of your car?
What about a130i instead. Early ones can be had for less than £4k now.
262hp.
that's what needs to be taken into consideration really, the cost of how much power you can get and the value of your car vs the cost of a new one, sometimes people just love their cars though and its better the devil you know to a point and want to squeeze a few extra horses out of it. personally I loved my compact, just a shame they never put a bigger engine in it. I got my partners e90 330i now and sold my compact, shame it was a good car. just had a peek on auto trader and the cheapest 130i is £4250, I'm sure their may be some ropey ones out there for lessWhat about a130i instead. Early ones can be had for less than £4k now.
262hp.
I've not had my 325 for long but before I'd even bought it I was eyeing up a 330 swap. From what I understand it's very straightforward and you can use the 2.5 box so only really need the engine & loom. Might never happen but it's nice to know if I fancy an extra 40bhp it's not going to be too difficult.
I looked into an engine swap and i was getting a lot of conflicting advice, some were saying it's straight far ward and everything is the same including the loom others say different, I now know the the throttle bodies are a different bore and possibly the headers are different? So even though everything may fit you could be strangling the engine without realising it unless you are in a position to measure everything
Andy70 said:
I looked into an engine swap and i was getting a lot of conflicting advice, some were saying it's straight far ward and everything is the same including the loom others say different, I now know the the throttle bodies are a different bore and possibly the headers are different? So even though everything may fit you could be strangling the engine without realising it unless you are in a position to measure everything
I've done the swap and it's as simple as swapping in a standard 2.5 . Headers are the same. Use inlet manifold and thottle body / air box lid from 3.0 donor car . Engine loom plugs right in. My 3.0 pulley / alternator system was slightly different but would of worked but swopped my 2.5 bits over. It even ran perfectly on 2.5 Ecu but I had the 3.0 Ecu ews deleted and mapped for higher rpm and apparently more power. Used 2.5 flywheel / clutch / gearbox too. This is a easy swop and well worth doing if you can find a decent 3.0 engine and can do it yourself. I rebuilt the vanos before putting engine in and all in can be done in a couple of days taking your time.
Hope that helps, cheers.
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