e46 engine swap

[Andy70]

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

[Andy70]

So how many hours ish?

[Andy70]

It will be a BMW specialist here, redish Motorsport, he is very good

[Andy70]

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?

[Andy70]

So rough price for the job excluding engine? Bare in mind I think redish rates were very reasonable at around £60 an hour or they used to be

[Andy70]

So I worked that out to be under 11 hours, that right?

[Andy70]

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]

Vixpy1 said:

Audi's are notorious for getting the engine out, you have to take most of the front of the car apart.

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?

[Andy70]

Engine, gearbox and loom, £650 and fully aware regarding insurance, that's what I've been discussing

[Andy70]

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]

helix402 said:

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.

Maybe I could get a 318 or something as the engine I have in mind comes with the loom, ecu, cluch and gearbox any way, so more to spend on the rest as you can pick up a very good one for 1500k, where as a 325 are generally over 2k ish, I'll speak to James Redish and see what he recommends too, your help has been very interesting and informative and encouraging me to go ahead, provided insurance isn't too stupid, the best quote so far is £450, as usual the advice on here has been great!!

[Andy70]

E-bmw said:

Firstly, I apologise for mis-judging earlier, I am glad you are factoring in insurance.

Secondly +40bhp is absolutely possible on a 325.

Standard is 192, mine had 224.7 on the dyno with very little modification.

Map, cold air intake & filter, 328 exhaust manifolds and that was all.

There is more to be had there.

That was my 'tinkering' option I mentioned earlier, I was also considering a good 325ti and if possible fit an M3 air intake, decent air filter, maybe decent downpipes if they exist and possibly a cat back stainless exhaust, plus a re-map and se what that got me, I guessed gains would be modest from that as I know there is little to be had from NA engines but from what you say it sounds promising

[Andy70]

gregs656 said:

This might be worth a read:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=9649...

318 to 330 conversion.

yes, very interesting read, cheers

[Andy70]

Mr Tidy said:

What is not strange about that is Audi times!!! (can't change a headlight on a 2003 A4 without removing the front Impact asorption element (oh - bumper LOL) - vorsprung durch technik (= your n*ts in a vice you tw*t - should have looked elsewhere once out of warranty!

Yes you can, mine was 2003 and I changed light bulbs in 2 mins by sliding the light unit out