96 328i motor with 95 M3 Transmission?

[wrecked328is]

I have run into a major problem! I bought a 93 318is and it had a blown head gasket. So I bought a 92 325is for the motor and Tranny to do a swap. Both Engines are out but when I looked at the 325is' ECU it looks like it has been modified because of all the Caulking on it. I started to run the VIN #'s and the motor from the "325is" is actually a 96 328i motor, the Transmission is from a 95 M3, the ECU is from a 93 325i but again looks modified. My question is what the Hell did the last owner do? I am having a hard time finding any threads about any of this and I am just lost. Is this going to work? Are these common "mods" or do I just have some weird Frankenstein type of car? Thanks for any Help and if there is a thread about this please point me in the right direction. Thanks!

P.S. I have all the VIN's and can get some pics if you need it.

[flyfishvt]

It sounds like the caulk is probably to prevent water from getting in. Flooding DME compartment is a common issue.

The PO also probably just did and M52 OBDI swap conversion. Also pretty common.

[wrecked328is]

ok, cool. Whats with the M3 Transmission. Is this also part of the M52 OBD1 Conversion? Plus I am also worried about the electrical part. Will the harness from the 318is work with the 328i motor? I removed all the electrical with the motor but left the harness with the 325 hoping it would just be "plug and play". I will do more research on the Conversion but any more help would be great. Also the PO told me that it was "chipped" and that the "Red Line" was increased. Sound reasonable? Thanks.

[flyfishvt]

M3 and 328 had the identical ZF 5 speed tranny so all he did was swap in a ZF tranny. Very common and its actually the correct tranny for that 328/M52 engine. Your harness from the 318 will never work. Its only made for a 4 cylinder engine.

[wrecked328is]

Damn.... So how hard is it to switch the harness'? I think this is sounding like I might be in trouble. I looked at the "circular" connection on the top drivers side of the hood and it had all the pins except for one and I was thinking it was because the 318is had Cruise Control. Is this something an above average guy can do in his Garage? Thanks.


I take that back..lol... been a long day... To clarify, the harness from the 325is is with the engine. I just need to know if the wiring where the harness connects to the car would work. Thanks for being patient with me.