Thinking about a swap

[Jazzykelly]

I have a 1998 318ti in excellent condition. Only 143k on the engine. Works fine. I am thinking of replacing the engine with a 1995 325 engine. My mechanic has everything to drop it in for about $2500.00. Do you guys think this is a wise thing to do.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by Jazzykelly

I have a 1998 318ti in excellent condition. Only 143k on the engine. Works fine. I am thinking of replacing the engine with a 1995 325 engine. My mechanic has everything to drop it in for about $2500.00. Do you guys think this is a wise thing to do.

Do you have emissions inspection?
It won't pass with an OBD-I motor.

I wouldn't waste your money on a 2.5. If you are going to do a swap find either a 2.8 or 3.2. Same amount of labor.

[Philly]

for $2500... its not worth it.

I wouldn't say the 2.5 is a waste, but for that price, you could easily go M52 or almost an S50/2 if you shopped around.

I paid $650ish for my M52 with most of the stuff to swap, and it cost $400 to pull my M44 and drop in my M52, as well as hook it up to the tranny and driveshaft, all I had to do was spend a few hours on reassembling the front end and hooking up some wires.

[Bluebimma]

If you have emissions, definately stay OBDII, dont convert to OBDI. For 2500, id go to another shop as you can have the dealership do a swap for that price or less, depending on which you go to. Also, do they deal with these kind of swaps and are they able to align EWS, which very few, besides the dealer, can do?

[BimmerBum]

Originally Posted by Jazzykelly

I have a 1998 318ti in excellent condition. Only 143k on the engine. Works fine. I am thinking of replacing the engine with a 1995 325 engine. My mechanic has everything to drop it in for about $2500.00. Do you guys think this is a wise thing to do.

This is not enough info to make the decision...

1) How many miles on the 325 engine?

2) What do you mean by everything? Transmission? Brakes? Differential? New motor mounts, flywheel, clutch, instrument cluster?

3) Depening on what parts are included and the mileage of those parts this may be a very good deal. You do need to find out about local vehicle inspections for the OBD2 to OBD1 deal.

4) As for power... find a set of S50 cams and a chip burned for an M50 with S50 cams and you will be around 220 hp... much more than a 328 engine and not much less than an M3 engine.