316i to 328i converstion

[Rich]

Hello i'm new to the forum

Here's my 316 compact...


After a fair bit or research I've ordered a Motorsport kit from Fabdirect with a M52 2.8l engine. The kit comes with all of the major parts:-
Radiator, oil cooler, viscous fan, air mass meter, air box, complete engine with all ancillaries (starter, alternator, etc.), engine wiring harness, ECU, clutch, manual gearbox, shift linkage, gearbox support, prop shafts, differential, complete front suspension, complete rear suspension, complete exhaust system, complete EWS wiring system, speedo cluster.

I have a few questions if someone could help please:-
- Will I need to up rate any part of the fuel system?
- The brakes are going to be upgraded with larger disc's front and back. Will I need to upgraded the the brake servo and or cylinder?
- Are there any guilds available for this sort of engine swap in a compact


Rich

I've had a good look around the forum and there's lots of great information here!

[Tyler]

I'm not sure if this will be any help you you since it's a 316 but contact Jim he is selling manuals for a 318 ob2 conversion. I don't exactly know what the difference between the 316 & 318is.

Here is the thread that he posted and i'd suggest sending him a pm.

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912

[The Narcosis]

From Talk Audio????

[mohaughn]

You are also going to need to change out the rear subframe on the Ti. The rear suspension and rear brakes from a 328 will not fit on a Ti.

[Rich]

yes i'm also on TA.

mohaughn thank you for pointing that out, the rear subframe, brakes and diff will be from a Z3. As they share the same chassis it should fit in fine.

I want to replace the standard differential with an LSD as I have no traction control. I will need to find out what drive ratio is required and find one that will fit the car.

[DustenT]

I heard a rumor that the 316's have the large case diff, making swapping in a large case LSD easy as hell. Can someone with a 316 take a picture of the diff?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DustenT

I heard a rumor that the 316's have the large case diff, making swapping in a large case LSD easy as hell. Can someone with a 316 take a picture of the diff?

I will do once I get it out of the car. As far as I know its the same as the ones from the e30.

[316i compact]

Originally Posted by DustenT

I heard a rumor that the 316's have the large case diff, making swapping in a large case LSD easy as hell. Can someone with a 316 take a picture of the diff?

Just rumors... The diff. of the 316i is exactly the same with the 318ti one. Same part number too, for the European model. Yours is still the same case, just different ratio.
318ti M42--> 3.45
Eu 318ti M44 --> 3.38

[Rich]

Lots of progress today!

Split the engine wiring from the car wiring, removed the power steering and clutch pipes.

With a lot of help of my brother Patrick, who had a full day of work, then spent 4~5 hours in the dark to remove the rest of the connections to free the engine. This included the Prop shaft, fuel system / lines, engine and gearbox mounts.


Wiring and the ECU hiding in behind the fuse box.


Empty space... some thing is missing Engine removed after a lot of lifting and dropping, it was a real pain getting the engine to swing out, when we pulled the engine forward the prop shaft split in the middle rather than falling of the end of the gear box. The gear lever also caused some problems, but it cleared in the end.

Slight damage on the front of the car as I lowered the car too quickly and the engine hoist got snagged on the number plate and pulled it off. doh the damage is not too bad though but will need to see if I can get a new number plate holder.


The engines sat next to each other, more pictures will follow tomorrow when it’s light again.

[fushigii]

Nice project...

A noobie here.
I'm just wandering whether 316ti chassis strength is the same as 328i chassis to support the power produce by 328 engine.

[Rich]

All of the chassis are very similar in construction and should be able to handle the power. There are plenty of M3 compacts out there.

I do plan to strengthen the front with a strut bar.

[fushigii]

Thanks for the info Rich.

Keep posting the update of your project. Would like to see your new looks once its done.

[campaiar]

Hey Rich, I jeolous that you started your swap already. I'm preparing for a similar swap over Thanksgiving break. As I'm sure you are, I'm pretty excited to get out and drive the upgraded TI around..

Good luck, and keep the pictures coming...

[Rich]

More progress today. The engine is in!!!

After a fair bit of jiggling the engine slid in perfectly. We had to temporally remove the left engine mount to let the engine sump swing past. It was very tight to squeeze the engine in with the front cross member in and the bonnet on however it just slipped passed. The left engine mount need to be temporally removed to let the engine sump past. Once the engine was on the engine mounts (which fit perfectly) the back of the gearbox was lifted and the mounts attached to the car. The new equipment means the gearbox mounts are about 20 mm further away from the engine mounts. The gear box mount has 4 sets of holes which means that the extra length can be compensated by using the front set of holes in the gearbox mounts. The extra length also means that the front part of the 328i prop shaft needs to be used as it slightly shorter than the 316i compact one (also the gearbox flange for the 2.8 5 speed has wider hole spacing).

The fuel lines and throttle cable have been attached. A few items are needed to link the rest of the engine. One of the key items will be to replace the one way value to the brake cylinder from the straight one from the original engine to a 90 degree one need for this engine. Also the main power cable need to be moved from the right to the left as the compact has the battery in the front and on the left.

Also the ESW modules were replaced with those from the new engine. This included the key chip reader under the steering column and the ESW module behind the glove box. Hopefully this will work first time without any issues.

Additionally after researching into other people who have upgraded their compact the exhaust plans have changed. The original plan was to use the supplied 328i mid section and have a custom back end made. The new plan is to use a Z3 2.8 midsection and Eisenmann back box for the Z3 2.8. These parts should fit on as it is with out major modification.


Engine bay cleaned ready for fitting the engine.


Engine next ready to go in.


Changing the ESW unit.



Ready to lift the engine in, time to hope for the best that it will fit.


Engine in!

[Rich]

The covers have been given a quick clean. Look nice and shiny



Hook up some of the engine connections, also test fit of the various engine accessories. The air box is going to be replaced with a BMC carbon filter.