'86 325ES to '87 325I Conversion

[VINNIE86]

I decided to start another thread that is based on "'86 325e Rebuild" thread but has more spicfic questions that may have been figured out or answered...but were making the information muttled...

Questions I am still looking for answers on from the old post:

1) my 325e never had an oil cooler - is it required or just nice to have on 325i ... can I plug the oil filter bracket where they interconnect next the oil filter and be OK?

or can I run the oil cooling thru the Automatic Transmission ports in my radiator (it is equipped for auto trans cooling) with custom cables and do the same thing?

2) where does the oil cooler mount on the radiator and does that then mean a specific shroud is required that positions it in the right place ?


3) there is an extra Themostat assy that is also associated with the 325i - question is from where to where?


4) There are 2 conns ea 3 pin that run to the bell housing on the transmission - they look like clutch position sensors and plug in here on the transmission (in attachments) and they connect to the 325ES Wire harness...my problem is that the 325I WH does not have those connections ....so what do I do with the
connections to bell housing? Trans Conn.JPG20171128_073840[1].jpg

thanks

[82eye]

1. not required but can be nice. does offer increased cooling capacity. if not running an oil cooler then you need the block adapter for the oil filter. oil filter then screws direct to side of block.





1.1 do not use auto trans cooler lines for oil. use autobox cooler lines for auto trans only.

2. mounts under and slightly in font of rad. shroud is specific to rad and has nothing to do with the cooler.






3. thermostat assembly is for the heater core. sits on the firewall side of the of the heater core inlet tube. can be deleted. it is extra insurance to not blow the heater core in an overheat situation.

4. those connectors are for e cars only. if retaining the e trans then the sensors can be removed and replaced with shortened bolts as a delete plate. if you still have them then you are trying to use an e harness on an i setup and will have much deeper problems lol. get an i engine harness if going to an i or stroker setup. you will need the i harness for the cps wheel and sensor at the front of the engine as well.





5. there are piles of stroker and e to i swaps documenting all of this. do a search for full write-ups.

[VINNIE86]

Thanks so much - that helps tremendously

I have the I wire harness and wanted to use it and the motronic along with it ....

[VINNIE86]

OK - got the cooler situation figured out and found a pre-owned one for reasonable price - adding it back in...

Have put the engine and transmission back into its resting placeAttachment 617741Attachment 617740
Attachment 617745Attachment 617746
Now for the electricals (Alternator/A-C Comp) and the fluid parts ( PS/Fan / Radiator etc...)

Couple of Electrical questions :

1) on the '86e pigtail from the firewall conn (C101) to the power distribution box the following pins are not in the harness...10;12;5 but there are pins in the mating conn from the engine wire harness taken from the '87i .... from looking thru the schematics Pins 5 ; 10 ; 12 ; 20 have male pin contacts in them from the 87i that are not in the 86e pigtail to the power disti box...


2) checking the schematics from the '86e there are no socket contacts in that pigtail to the disti box except #20 and it is not used on either version..so its not a problem - I think its OK with no connect

3) Pin 12 on the '87i is for the "Check engine " light - which is not used in the '86e - so i think that is OK with no connect
87i - uses PIN 12; 10 ; 587i C101 Conn.JPG86e -no pin 12 ;10; 586e C101 Conn.jpg

4) Pins 5 & 10 on the '87i - both seems to be going to a "oil pressure" item - 5 to a pressure switch maybe - 10 to the "oil light " in the cluster maybe ...but the schematics dont show a clear representation ...heres the question -


??what do i hook up to these and does anyone know the actual pins and sockets for C101 so that i can put them into the '86e pigtail ...

[VINNIE86]

I am about to fire this puppy up and really would like some insight on the conn issues prior to doing so - any help is GREATLY appreciated...so any of you experts - please chime in ....

[BEANCENT]

I am about to fire this puppy up and really would like some insight on the conn issues prior to doing so - any help is GREATLY appreciated...so any of you experts - please chime in ....

Check out (e30 zone wiki ) under (all wiki pages then under : M20 engine swap, you will find wiring info for your swap

[VINNIE86]

Well the body is the same but the engine bay is all new :

1) 100 man hours over 3 mos - from pulling the donor motor to waxing her prior to final shakedown
2) $1500 total spent - $450 for donor motor and transmission - $300 for radiators and stuff - seals - head resurfacing - WP / Belts / TStat - Fluids - Hoses - '87i Wire harness - Computer, etc...

had many issues that were overcome thru the process but nothing that was "oh My Gosh...how am I gonna fix that..."

Thanks for all the support and data that was given along the way - and will be glad to give it back to the next person that may want to attempt to do the same..I have all the schematics or links for them who want them

It was totally worth it ...

best regards

[superj]

looks great!