» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 06-01-2024 03:04 PM 7 Replies, 427,611 Views | | | | | | 10-09-2013, 12:29 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: alberta canada Posts: 5 | need your vast knowledge 318ti first off i am new to the bmw world and this forum. i am a mechanic by trade and know my way around domestic vehicles. this is my first bmw so id like any input for what is interchangeable. i recently acquired my first bmw a 1997 318ti standerd with front end damage. i have also picked up a 1996 328i auto in full running order (its actually in mint shape) now for my plan. -swap the 2.8 into the ti -swap the sedan dash into the ti now i have done some research and from my understanding the engine swap itself is pretty straight forward. i would like to know how the 4 banger manual trans would hold up to the 2.8 and if the 328i diff would work on the ti. is there a better budget route i can go for my front suspension and my rear end set up. i am not looking to set any land speed records here with my project just make a unique ride that i can use as my summer daily driver thats reliable and has a bit of snap. i thank any of you in advance for any input that would help before i start ripping and tearing. | | | 10-09-2013, 12:38 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | People have used the original transmission. The diff will eventually go. The dash is probably more work than it's worth. Your car but why wreck a mint 328 for a ti that has front end damage? You should be able to find a wrecked 328 or even an M3 that you can use. My opinion, you are going about it all backwards. Fix the ti and find a suitable donor. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-09-2013, 01:14 AM | #3 | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: alberta canada Posts: 5 | thanks for the input, my main reason for doing it this way is that i traded a dirtbike for the ti that has 15000 in receipts, steal i know. and the 328i i bought for 1000$ i also picked up brand new front fenders for 140 so as far as cosmetics go i got everything i need to fix the ti front end. as far as the interior the ti is in rough shape but the i is in mint plus i like the look of the sedans dash vs the compact. i love the looks of the ti and have always wanted one now as far as finding a wrecked 328 i havent found one for 1000$ can a guy use the 328i diff in the ti? | | | 10-09-2013, 01:21 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | OK. Good luck. There is at least one ti with a 328 or maybe M3 dash. I think there will be a gap and not sure about the HVAC vents. The 328 uses different HVAC controls. Are you swapping the seats too? There are issues with the rear seats. It's a big project for someone new. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-09-2013, 01:30 AM | #5 | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: alberta canada Posts: 5 | thank you i appreciate it! its gonna be my winter project. i am hoping the dash swap will go smooth i plan on gutting the entire interior of the ti and the ti engine bay then start the processes of bringing the 328i parts over to it i am swapping the front seats after i get them re-upholstered and keep the ti rear seats but just get them re-upholstered to match. a buddy that runs a upholstery shop that owes me some favors | | | 10-09-2013, 01:48 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | I can only find one thread about the dash. http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=30615 Unfortunately the OP hasn't been here in a couple years. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-09-2013, 01:59 AM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: alberta canada Posts: 5 | thank you! i appreciate the find. thats gonna help out so much | | | 10-09-2013, 02:50 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,464 | There is almost nothing rearward of the A-pillars in the 328 that will directly swap into the ti, other than front seats. Forward of the A-pillars, everything will directly swap (chassis wise). There are a few specific things that you'll have to do regarding the engine swap but as Steven mentioned, the 168mm differential will go sooner than later behind the torque of a 2.8L. I think I'm with Steven on this one- if the 328i is in mint shape, why not keep that as-is and look around to find a 328 that is not so mint shape or, better yet, wrecked, to use as the donor? You might even be able to sell the 328, find a used M52 motor, ZF trans., and 188mm differential for relatively cheap, and still have money left over! Also, member J!m on this forum has put together a swap manual for the ti that covers just about everything you'll need to know. __________________ 1995 318ti Base - Cosmosschwarz/Sandgrau R.I.P. 1997 318ti Active - Alpinweiß III/Sandgrau 2013 328i Coupe - Le Mans Blau Last edited by zoner; 10-09-2013 at 02:52 AM. | | | 10-09-2013, 03:14 AM | #9 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Houston Texas. Posts: 26 | Diff will not fit, the sedan uses 3 bushings where it bolts to the subframe, the ti uses only one and 4 bolts to the subframe. Maybe remove the ring and pinion and install it on the ti diff housing? | | | 10-09-2013, 04:54 AM | #10 | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: alberta canada Posts: 5 | bah now i am second guessing here, i do got a line to sell the car i am just up in the air about getting rid of the donar car that potentially has everything i need (to a point) just dont wanna screw myself on a parts car | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | Similar Threads | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post | Misc parts Full 95 318ti interior | 318tiDTM | Parting out & Parts (US) | 9 | 07-30-2013 02:59 AM | CA 1998 BMW 318ti, M-Sport, DASC, Active | Trusted-1 | Cars for Sale | 16 | 02-12-2013 06:26 AM | KS '95 318ti - Supercharger, Sport Package, Many Extras | onewhippedpuppy | US and North America | 18 | 03-18-2011 02:41 AM | MO 95 318ti parts M42, Getrag Trany, ECU, cluster, exhaust, etc | PhotoMotion | US and North America | 5 | 04-06-2010 06:07 AM | 318ti DASC SPORT ACTIVE HEATED SEATS ALPINE WHITE BBS MOTORSPORT INTERIOR | inlacal | US and North America | 27 | 12-07-2007 04:01 PM | |