 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | | | 318ti AMR500 ... 06-09-2023 09:43 PM 09-22-2023 10:21 PM 29 Replies, 22,506 Views | | | | | |  |  |  | |  02-01-2011, 09:40 PM | #1 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |  318ti 1.9l to 2.8l swap questions??
I am sorry as I am new to this site and I am not familiar with engine codes so this may have been answered before.
I am torn on what to do. I am going to purchase a 97 318ti with a blown head gasket. I dont know if I want to go with replacing the HG and SC the 4 banger (~$4G +/-), replace the 4 banger with same engine (~$2,500 +/-), or do a 2.8 swap (~$3,500 +/-).
I am leaning towards the 2.8l swap as I get more ponies all motor in comparison to the 1.9l SC'ed and about $1G cheaper. I can get the 2.8L w/ "everything I need" as the people at Bavarian Auto Recycling said for $2500 shipped to my door minus driveshaft.
I would like to know, list style, what all is needed so I can make sure they send all of that. I would also like to know what I need to do on my end for the swap. I already know the 318ti stock driveshaft needs to be shortened but by how much??
Also, in case it matters, I am in PA so we have emissions/inspections here each yr.
Thanks in advance! |  |  | | 02-01-2011, 10:19 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Halethorpe, MD Posts: 1,028 |
I've not personally done the swap but I'll throw out a couple of things you should be aware of while making your decision. 1. The Downing Atlanta supercharger *may* not be available anymore. You'll need to call them and verify that they still have some if you think you want to go that way. 2. There's a member here named J!m who has literally written the book on engine swaps for these cars. Details in the thread below. 3. Welcome and good luck. http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912 | | | | | 02-01-2011, 10:23 PM | #3 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |
Quote: Originally Posted by bullmand  I've not personally done the swap but I'll throw out a couple of things you should be aware of while making your decision. 1. The Downing Atlanta supercharger *may* not be available anymore. You'll need to call them and verify that they still have some if you think you want to go that way. 2. There's a member here named J!m who has literally written the book on engine swaps for these cars. Details in the thread below. 3. Welcome and good luck. http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912 | DASC has been called and they have about 3 months worth yet. If I do the SC'ed 4 banger route, HP will be less than stock 2.8l..And I will save $1G doing the 2.8l swap in comparison.  decisions! | | | | | 02-02-2011, 12:04 AM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TAMARAC, Florida Posts: 191 |
welcome to the org.
Do the 2.8l, thats what im doing. Plus so many options later on __________________  96ti M52 swap soon to come. Kahtech smart lane changer, H&R springs, Belstein shocks, ACS shift knob, e-brake and pedal set, chrome cluster rings, 6000k CCF angel eye, RT-50A rain sensing wipers w/ auto headlight control http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2928485 | | | | | 02-02-2011, 01:32 AM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 |
Buy this, take what you need, part the rest. Bav Auto Recycling are a bunch of thieves. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/2182087530.html __________________ ~Dave~
98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop
11 128i space gray slicktop
13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry
Search | RealOEM | | | | | 02-02-2011, 01:34 AM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,906 |
Where in PA are you? __________________  | | | | | 02-02-2011, 02:53 AM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 541 |
Besides the blown HG BMW compact you are contemplating on getting, do you have reliable transportation? | | | | | 02-02-2011, 03:18 AM | #8 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |
Quote: Originally Posted by Shellback Besides the blown HG BMW compact you are contemplating on getting, do you have reliable transportation? | Yes, I have a few other cars.  | | | | | 02-02-2011, 03:19 AM | #9 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |
Quote: Originally Posted by Platanos Where in PA are you? | Reading. Towards Shillington side of Lancaster Ave. | | | | | 02-02-2011, 03:20 AM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: norcal - 94590 Posts: 3,186 |
Quote: Originally Posted by spidertri Buy this, take what you need, part the rest. Bav Auto Recycling are a bunch of thieves. | +1 Bavarian Auto Recyclers are notoriously overpriced and not reputable... Do the 6cyl swap... __________________ James 95 active w/leather interior and sport interior conversion, Vaders, full M-Tech exterior conversion. Now m50 swapped* Eibach sway bars, D2 Coilovers, Depo's w/AE's, blacked-out sides and grills, LeatherZ console and door armrests, 1 series starter button mod, and custom finished Style 5's <--- in this color! Named "Roddy":  *M50 6 cyl. swap with fan delete, S50 cams and chip, AFE stage 2 intake, M3 clutch and 11.5 lb Fidanza flywheel, 3.15LSD, battery relocated to rear and complete custom exhaust. Sweet!  97 318ti sport, Alaska Blue, Contours, coilovers, Dove Vaders and custom black/grey interior named "Max" 95 318ti Active in Cosmos, S50 swap in progress... named "Pit" SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | | | 02-02-2011, 03:21 AM | #11 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |
Quote: Originally Posted by spidertri | THANKS!! I contacted the guy. It is still for sale, does not have the front seats, hood, grille, and headlights. The motor has 200,000 miles on it. It was owned by a doctor and supposedly was well taken care of. The guy said the motor is clean enough to eat from.. I have done VW swaps before but I have never owned a Bimmer. I don't have the specialty tools the bimmers require. If I do get that donor car, I will just take what I need and junk the rest unless I have someone willing to help me with the swap that is interested in the remainder of the car and cash for the help.
Last edited by 318teeeye; 02-02-2011 at 03:25 AM. | | | | | 02-03-2011, 03:44 AM | #12 | | Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 50 |
Quote: Originally Posted by wolferj +1
Bavarian Auto Recyclers are notoriously overpriced and not reputable...
Do the 6cyl swap... | +2 for Bavarian Auto Recyclers. Only heard horror stories about them. | | | | | 02-04-2011, 10:17 AM | #13 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |
I would love to get that wreck but it has 200,000 miles on it!  I am on somewhat of a budget. I do not have the $ to buy the car, rebuild the motor, pay for install. I DO have enough to buy the wreck and have it installed but I am affraid of taking the chance of something happening to the motor and then I have no drivable bimmer AND no $. LOL. | | | | | 02-04-2011, 06:08 PM | #14 | | Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 75 |
| | | | | 02-05-2011, 01:13 AM | #15 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 541 |
I have the same exterior color. What kind of rear valance is that? Is that the factory M-tech? I guess mine has been under a cover so long I can't remember what it looks like... | | | | | |
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
 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
| | |
|
