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Thread: rwd auto to awd manual swap e46 2000

  1. #1
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    Question rwd auto to awd manual swap e46 2000

    i have a 323i auto and a 325xi manual same year and model 2000 i have everything from the 325xi that im gonna use the trans and everything from. i cant use the 325 on the road because i would have to pass inspection and i dont want to deal with this so i would like to know if the manual ecu from the 325 will work with the 323 engine whit the trans ? because i think the 325 engine is bad i dont know atm i just bought the car for 120$ lol and also what would i have to do for it to work ecxept the pedal assembly , ecu and clutch lines ? as you can probably see english is not my first language so please dont judge
    thanks for all your answers!!

  2. #2
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    No, you cannot easily swap engine control module from the 325 to the 323. And you wouldn't want to.

    If you want to do the swap correctly, you simply need to swap your parts over and then code (a simple quick programming via diagnostics) the car to manual.
    The computer programming part is very simple and straightforward.. the harder part is the physical conversion to manual.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
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    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
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    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  3. #3
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    Conversion from rwd to awd would be a massive amount of work. Everything is different from rwd under the car. Sell the awd transmission, transfer case ect. and buy the proper rwd transmission, driveshaft, differential ect. An awd transmission won't work for rwd.

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  4. #4
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    @328 Power 04
    by swaping the parts over do you mean the engine also or i can use the 323 engine and the 325 trans with coding ? if its only that and a little change in swaping the front suspension part from the 325 for the awd i dont think there should be too much problem ?
    and what would be the price for coding approximately?
    thanks!

    @randy72877
    i saw a video on youtube for the parts needed for auto to manual rwd swap and he said the only thing different is the manual trans is shorter and also that u can still use the rear section from the auto drive shaft , wouldnt it be the same with the awd trans ? using the front section from the awd driveshaft and the 323 rear ?
    Last edited by the old dutch; 10-17-2018 at 01:00 PM.

  5. #5
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    The awd transmission has a transfer case at the back. There is no way to attach a drive shaft direct to the trans. You can't use the transfer case for rwd. You need a rwd transmission to do this without swapping over the entire front subframe and suspension and awd system. Would be easier to fix the xi even if it needs a new engine. There are a ton of small differences also like the brake lines, dsc system, wiring ect. A rwd manual swap is much more straightforward or fix the xi.

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  6. #6
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    Outside of the transmission and transfer case, the entire XI front suspension and oil pan/engine cradle is different.

  7. #7
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    well okk... what is the value of the awd trans ? the last owner said there was something with the transfer case and the car doesnt move atm but if i part out the 325xi what could be the parts i can make money from like the head , maybe motor if its good , trans, ect. how much do they sell and what else could i sell ''easily'' ?

  8. #8
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    The XI transfer case is a pretty robust piece of machinery. Barring no catastrophic failure from lack of fluid, I would look at the front drive shaft or one of the front drive axles (most common) to be bad and cause the vehicle to be immobile. Unlike other AWD systems, XI models must have all 4 wheels show resistance to the driveline in order for the vehicle to move. If one axle is broken, it wont move. I have sold an XI transfer case (NVG24 for 03+ models) for $250 shipped on ebay. They weigh approximately 38lbs so shipping wasn't very bad. The manufacturer New Venture Gear (NVG) no longer exists so no new ones are being made. Making the used ones the only route for replacement.

    The trans is a GM A5S390R. Also robust. There are two A5S390R's out there. One made for RWD, and one made for AWD. They cannot interchange. If the trans has low miles you should be able to get between $3-$500. Same with the engine.
    Last edited by dhurley34; 10-17-2018 at 03:24 PM.

  9. #9
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    okk! ill take a look at this as soon as i have the car home its currently on blocks at my cousin house i gotta bring it soon its starting to snow up here loll the 325 seems to have low millage no rusty spots almost at all and we have salty roads here in winter , ill probably end up selling the parts from the 325 in parts for cheap and then scrap it for 100$. but if i find the problem and it not too bad i may be makin it pass inspection and re sell it to my cousin. but the car had alot of water in the glove box and passsenger side door ? could any electronics be affected ?
    thanks for the info @dhurley34!

  10. #10
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    Water in glove box is probably a clogged or disconnected sunroof drain tube.

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  11. #11
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    last owner said the motor was fine its only missing the air filter box coils and sparkplug as i saw. he also said the car was making a noise only when putting it in gear and dropping the clutch which i think should mean that its a bad axle ? i took a look at them and the passenger side one seemed off a lil

  12. #12
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    You can't leave a car outside with the plugs removed. Even worse with the cabin filter housing off. Rain will run down the windshield into the engine. Leaving the air filter assembly off isn't much better. Cylinders could be rusted from moisture/water entering through all the open holes. Also rodents can get into the intake. Have you tried to get it running?

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  13. #13
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    i know about this but as i saw the plugs hole didnt seem to have even a lil rust on it ill pour a lil bit of oil in every cylinder before cranking it and change the oil if it cranks i hope there's no water in it the last owner probably took them off to sell them but never did i cant believe he did this -.- he want to sell me a bag with the radio heater module and interior pieces that are missing from the car and 4 m3 mags for 250$.... ill probably deal it to 150-200 but would it be a good deal ? my radio in my 323 doest work well and the heating module too i always have to take the fuse off because its always 100%
    Last edited by the old dutch; 10-21-2018 at 12:05 AM.

  14. #14
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    ill need a push to start button to start the car i found one that fits the 325xi it also comes with keys to lock the car for 80$

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