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Thread: 325i to 330 swap

  1. #1
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    325i to 330 swap

    So the project has begun for the time being! Blew out the clutch in my 325 and with the info i've been given seems like the flywheel is shot too. So decided on doing a full engine swap because of the price of a flywheel and clutch and the fact that my engine already has 266,000. the engine I am looking into still has a good flywheel on it so thats all fine and dandy, going to probably go with an aftermarket stage 1 or 2 race clutch instead of the stock one just because they are literally almost the same price. Sorry I am a bit late on the thread I forgot I was going to start one and got to excited about getting the car prepped for surgery. So far I have the splash guards removed and the entire front bumper still attached to rad support. so the only thing left to pull is the rad itself I should be getting to this tomorrow at some point. Trying to have the 2.5 pulled before the snow hits only cause dropping the new one in will only be exciting too do so I wont mind if theres a tad bit of snow on the ground :p One quick question o anyone who might know the answer, isnt the 3.0 a 6 speed? I've been told the only thing you need for 3.0 is intake manifold and to flash dme how am i supposed to run a 5 speed if its 6?

  2. #2
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    98 Euro M3, 04 M3, 06 M5
    the engine is just an engine.... what ever transmission you plan to use will decide how many speeds. Im assuming you are talking about manual transmissions? 330's came with both 5 and 6 speed manuals. 6 speeds are considerably more rare though.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by legoman67 View Post
    the engine is just an engine.... what ever transmission you plan to use will decide how many speeds. Im assuming you are talking about manual transmissions? 330's came with both 5 and 6 speed manuals. 6 speeds are considerably more rare though.
    okay cool so that answers that, next question I have been wondering, I have absolutely no idea how to flash my dme so I am going to have to get someone to do it for me. Will the engine run even without the dme being flashed? I assume it wont
    Last edited by Brickk; 12-05-2015 at 08:56 PM.

  4. #4
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    An reputable BMW shop will be able to reflash the computer. Takes about an hour or so. I think you are correct when you wrote that the engine won't run with the 2.5 liter ECU. Try it, but I bet it won't run.

  5. #5
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    Then next question is can I remove the ECU easily to take it in to be flashed or will i have to take the whole car?

  6. #6
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    12346741_10153632594586201_1794016637_n.jpg12355315_10153632596086201_1424792249_n.jpg so heres some pics to show progress, I got stuck with these tranny lines I'm holding in the one picture, I am assuming I am going to have to remove it from the engine but cannot figure out how :S anyone?

  7. #7
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    You guys think I should pull the tranny first then engine or just pull both because of all the room ill have?

  8. #8
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    You've got the front of the car off so disconnect all the electronix, support and raise the engine/tranny to clear the motor mounts and slide them out as a unit.

  9. #9
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    Thats what I thought made the most sense as well cause I have heard the tranny can be a PITA to disconnect under the car

  10. #10
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    Jul 2012
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    Woodinville, WA
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    2002 BMW 330Ci
    Definitely take it out as a unit. I'd also take off the hood and invest in a good leveler for the hoist, something that will be easy to turn.



  11. #11
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    I definately have enough clearance without taking off the hood and the engine has mounts designed specifically already so I should be fine without a leveler I am trying to do this as cheap as possible havent had to buy a tool yet anyways got some more work done today. The electronics are completely disabled and removed as well as the intake manifold. got the a/c pump out of the way cause im having a really difficult time getting the exhaust off so tried to get at the headers to no avail :/
    engineelectronicsremoved2.jpgEngineelectronisremoved.jpg

  12. #12
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    Bristol, TN (ish)
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brickk View Post
    I definately have enough clearance without taking off the hood and the engine has mounts designed specifically already so I should be fine without a leveler I am trying to do this as cheap as possible havent had to buy a tool yet anyways got some more work done today. The electronics are completely disabled and removed as well as the intake manifold. got the a/c pump out of the way cause im having a really difficult time getting the exhaust off so tried to get at the headers to no avail :/
    Can you not bring the headers out with the engine? Just undo them at the flange below the passenger's feet?
    Current:
    2009 xdrive35D

    Past:
    2003 325xi
    2001 740iL
    1993 740iL

  13. #13
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    Yeah that was my first attempt daytona.... :p all the bolts are just so rusted from the exhaust. we ended up resorting to cutting the bolts out under the passenger like you said, havent done it yet but thats the plan!

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brickk View Post
    Yeah that was my first attempt daytona.... :p all the bolts are just so rusted from the exhaust. we ended up resorting to cutting the bolts out under the passenger like you said, havent done it yet but thats the plan!
    I wasn't trying to be snarky. I was genuinely asking. As you know I'm facing this job in the near future.

    The thing that really gets me is that I've put over 1100 miles on my car since discovering it has next to no compression on more than one cylinder, and other than a lumpy idle when cold, it's doing amazingly well. It must be burnt valves that have found their best seat again.

    This buys me a lot more time to find the right deal on an engine.
    Current:
    2009 xdrive35D

    Past:
    2003 325xi
    2001 740iL
    1993 740iL

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brickk View Post
    I definately have enough clearance without taking off the hood and the engine has mounts designed specifically already so I should be fine without a leveler I am trying to do this as cheap as possible havent had to buy a tool yet anyways got some more work done today. The electronics are completely disabled and removed as well as the intake manifold. got the a/c pump out of the way cause im having a really difficult time getting the exhaust off so tried to get at the headers to no avail :/
    engineelectronicsremoved2.jpgEngineelectronisremoved.jpg
    whats going on with your pics? mirrored? had me for a second... lol
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  16. #16
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    yeah sorry they were taken on my laptop webcam and I didnt think you where Daytona sorry if i came across as rude! I found a really awesome website for a couple donors check out lkq

  17. #17
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    Not sure if you saw my reply forgot to quote you daytona. I have still yet to figure out a way to get these damn bolts out of the exhaust, 4 bolts is literally the only thing stopping me from removing the engine! so frustrating :/

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by legoman67 View Post
    whats going on with your pics? mirrored? had me for a second... lol
    Quote Originally Posted by daytonatrbo View Post
    I wasn't trying to be snarky. I was genuinely asking. As you know I'm facing this job in the near future.

    The thing that really gets me is that I've put over 1100 miles on my car since discovering it has next to no compression on more than one cylinder, and other than a lumpy idle when cold, it's doing amazingly well. It must be burnt valves that have found their best seat again.

    This buys me a lot more time to find the right deal on an engine.
    Quote Originally Posted by Brickk View Post
    yeah sorry they were taken on my laptop webcam and I didnt think you where Daytona sorry if i came across as rude! I found a really awesome website for a couple donors check out lkq
    sorry forgot to hit quote when i replied

  19. #19
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    So I ordered babes new donor today! ended up spending 1000$CAD on an 02 z3 m54b30 has 128,000 km on it which is almost nothing so im a pretty happy guy this xmas

  20. #20
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    Okay guys so I'm planning on pulling the old engine and putting the new one in tomorrow, but I'm wondering about the clutch do I need a 330 clutch or 325? I was just reading and if I plan on going with the fidanza flywheel it says I have to buy a 330 clutch so now I'm confused :/

  21. #21
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    2003 330Ci
    Why not upgrade and get rid of that trashy dual-mass? Valeo makes a conversion kit.
    I was under the impression that if you were replacing the self-adjusting clutch with similar you would have no problems with the flywheel (unless damaged).
    If, however, upgrading the clutch you would have to replace the dual-mass flywheel with a solid, single-mass. (Perhaps I am wrong though?)
    I would go with the 330 clutch since that's the motor you'll be running, after all this work you're doing it would sure suck to have to do a clutch job again me thinks.
    Did you check the current flywheel for play?
    Quote Originally Posted by bmwdirtracer View Post
    ...we shouldn't forget that he changed the radio oil...
    "Stop im assuming im people in the past im giving you all the info you need and all i here is bitching ......im not stupid"

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doge View Post
    Why not upgrade and get rid of that trashy dual-mass? Valeo makes a conversion kit.
    I was under the impression that if you were replacing the self-adjusting clutch with similar you would have no problems with the flywheel (unless damaged).
    If, however, upgrading the clutch you would have to replace the dual-mass flywheel with a solid, single-mass. (Perhaps I am wrong though?)
    I would go with the 330 clutch since that's the motor you'll be running, after all this work you're doing it would sure suck to have to do a clutch job again me thinks.
    Did you check the current flywheel for play?
    The donor engine is actually an automatic so I decided to order a flywheel and clutch kit from fx after reading a couple reviews they dont seem to bad for now as i dont want this becoming to expensive. now I dont know whether to go with the chromoly fx flywheel or drop the extra 300$ and buy the fidanaza aluminum flywheel

  23. #23
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    2003 330Ci
    Save the 300 for something else?
    You probably wouldn't even notice the difference TBH.
    Quote Originally Posted by bmwdirtracer View Post
    ...we shouldn't forget that he changed the radio oil...
    "Stop im assuming im people in the past im giving you all the info you need and all i here is bitching ......im not stupid"

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doge View Post
    Save the 300 for something else?
    You probably wouldn't even notice the difference TBH.
    Yeah After some hard thinking and research I found out the chromoly weighs 14.45 and the aluminum 13 so definitely going with the chromoly not really interested in paying 300$ for 1.5 pounds! I will keep you all posted as the new engine and clutch should be dropped in soon!

  25. #25
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    Well I am still stuck on getting the exhaust out it is being a real PITA I cant seem to get anything in there to cut the bolts out cause the space is so tight and I cant get the nuts off the bolts.. I am stuck :/ the new donor has been sitting at the shop for a month while I try and get this stupid exhaust out :/ I was thinking about maybe trying bolt cutters, think that will work?

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