Difference between e36 320i and 325i...

[WarNox 1]

I was just wondering what the mechanical differences were between these two models. Appart from a bigger engine? Are the brakes, suspension, the diff all the same?

thanks.

[Yuen 16]

I was just wondering what the mechanical differences were between these two models. Appart from a bigger engine? Are the brakes, suspension, the diff all the same?

thanks.

You're pretty much right - only the engine is different. 325 onwards also have twin outlets for their exhaust, so the exhaust system can be slightly different.

[WarNox 1]

cool, good to know. im thinking about changing my engine from 2L to 2.5 sometime, rather than changing the whole car since i know everything else is fine.

my engine is a m50, are 325's m52's? i dont really understand that whole numbering system.

[kerrynzl 3]

The 4.10 diff in my Auto 320 was smaller in size to the 2.93 diff in my manual 328 [axles for larger in diameter but shorter]

everything else eg; brakes ,was identical

[WarNox 1]

yeah but there is a difference between 320i and 328i, there is a few years between those. 328's are obdII as well.

[Yuen 16]

cool, good to know. im thinking about changing my engine from 2L to 2.5 sometime, rather than changing the whole car since i know everything else is fine.

my engine is a m50, are 325's m52's? i dont really understand that whole numbering system.

AFAIK, there are M50 and M52 320 and 325s, but there are only M52 323 and 328s

Changing your engine from 2.0 to 2.5L sounds like a lot of work and money for too small a difference. Perhaps you should bore out the 2.0L and build it?

[kerrynzl 3]

yeah but there is a difference between 320i and 328i, there is a few years between those. 328's are obdII as well.

Both of mine are 1995's both vanos, the Sth African 328 has an iron M52 & EWS with the DME, the 320 doesn't have EWS but has a M50 [the Iron 2.8 M52 has the same bore as a 2.5 so I assume BMW just stroked out the same engine]

[WarNox 1]

well i figure about $1500 for a 2.5 and a chip. this 2.0L i have now has done 225,000km's, and since the previous owners (5 i think) didn't really take care of it i dont know how much longer it will last.

how hard can it be to swap an engine anyway

[Gus 5]

easy...just dont drop it

[isis 16]

a chip wont do shite for a beemer...minimal gains for what you pay for it..

[westy 614]

Are you talking early model e36?

So long as youre swapping early engines (m50-m50)both are obd1 then I cant see you having too much of a problem with a chip to make it run.

If youre swapping in a late model (m52)engine then you might have a few more problems.You may have to convert to obd1 or vice versa.

Also obd11 computers cant be "chipped" as such , they need reprograming.

Late model e36 320 are m52 also,I believe.

[WarNox 1]

oh sorry, i ment the standard chip that would have come with the 2.5L engine, i dont think my current one would work with the new engine. 325's weren't made with the m52 engine (from what i've found on the internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E36), and i wouldn't get a obdII engine as that would reguire way too much upgrading or downgrading.

so an engine from a 325, 94' or 95' with not too high km's would be good.

[Jazzbass 1]

How about slotting a V8 from a 540 in there??

That's be more of a challenge

[kerrynzl 3]

if you're running an early Vanos M50 or pre OBDII M52 they have a Siemens DME [which has the chip calibrated to the engine size]

If you're swapping a 2.0litre for a 2.8 you need a DME for that size engine [the Siemens DME simply can't be reflashed], late 1994 onwards have EWS so you'll need a EWS module [+ the chip in the Key etc], so it would be better [in my case] to find a pre-EWS Siemens DME for a 2.8,or a chip for my 2.0 to upgrade to a 2.8litre.

I haven't had confirmed whether a Motronic will plug into the Siemens loom [with Vanos]

All this has been told to me by a BMW dealer [& another BMW specialist]

Does anybody know how to disable the EWS?

[There is approx 50hp gained from a 2.0 to a 2.5 "25% more", from the 2.5 to the 2.8 the hp is approx the same but the torque goes up ]

[m325i 705]

Fireworks are a way better use of your money

[Guest Spargo]

Fireworks are a way better use of your money

Hell yea, terrorising remuera ftw.

[WarNox 1]

yeah and 25% is quite a lot.

So couldn't I just get a 2.5L engine from a 94 or 95' car and its chip, put in all in place of mine and be done?

yeah fireworks are always fun, u can make some pretty bombs from those boom boxes

[kerrynzl 3]

yeah and 25% is quite a lot.

So couldn't I just get a 2.5L engine from a 94 or 95' car and its chip, put in all in place of mine and be done?

yeah fireworks are always fun, u can make some pretty bombs from those boom boxes

A 94 or 95 DME has EWS,so you'll need all the othe crap that goes with it [what year is your car?]

[WarNox 1]

my car is a 1993 (made dec. 92'), hence no vanos.

dme is the chip, right? the ecu. what is ews then? and what other stuff would i have to change? the key?

thnx man.

[kerrynzl 3]

my car is a 1993 (made dec. 92'), hence no vanos.

dme is the chip, right? the ecu. what is ews then? and what other stuff would i have to change? the key?

thnx man.

If You pm me ,I'll give you a contact for a 1992 M50B25 non vanos engine & computer [bolt in swap]