1987 325i Convertable, could use some advice.

[MrFett]

Hey everyone, I have a pretty good condition e30 convertible that my grandmother has owned new since 1987. I am going to be getting it eventually and want to do a manual swap and possible engine swap and basically restore it. I am from the Audi world and don't really know much about e30's yet, but am excited to get into it. Things I know how to do will be replacing the convertible top, body and paint resto, interior resto etc. But no idea what advices is best for enginers/manual transmissions/turbos hah

Sorry for rambling, I just am clueless to what I need to do for the best engine and manual swap on this thing. Thanks again everyone.

https://imgur.com/rshLrVI

[superj]

if you are familiar with working audi than the e30 will be very familiar once you get a manual.

and since your grandma's is already a 325i, i would just do suspension mods and a few little engine things because i am a fan of the m20 engine. i wouldn't swap but tons of people will tell you to swap

[doctorx69]

i second that... I have an 87 325i convertible with dinan performance pkg. Very fun car to drive. I would just do the necessary maint like timing belt and fix what is broken. That engine is pretty stout in stock form.

[323i E30]

One more vote for leaving the stock engine in there.
Swapping it for something else will usually cost a lot of money and might even lower the value of the car. Especially since this specific car has not already been ‘modded’ by ten different past owners..

Note that the timing belt needs replaced every 5 years. Check the sticker under the hood when this has been done for the last time before you start it, because if it snaps you have some serious engine damage.

[Jackman6]

Keep the stock engine. They're not bad to work on, and its nice to see unmolested e30s.

[vertbmw]

It looks clean for the little bit I see in the pic. It is really hard to find a nice unmolested e30. A manual swap and wheels are as far as I would go, anything more and you will likely hurt the value. If you want to do an engine swap find a beater e30.

[fishinrod]

I concur with all the above, I have an 87 325i vert, with the manual and just love it. I would not change the engine either, a good tune up, perhaps a chip upgrade, exhaust, and then change the tranny to a manual.
Mine had 195000 km 3 years ago when I acquired it (121000) miles. I changed shocks to Bilsteins, a good brake job, front end allignment, with new tie rods and bushings and it has run like a new car, with over 30000 new miles. Just completed a 15000 mile across Canada..Ran great..

[510man]

With respect, the '87 vert is slow. I own one that was purchased new by a family member. This engine made what, 160-170hp new? And it's a heavy car. My 1.8L Integra smokes the E30's acceleration. I like the E30, which is why I keep it and dump way too much money in it for the amount it's driven. However, it is under-powered, slow and uses a lot of gas (averages 16-18mpg combined driving). I believe the power problem is "flow" and 2.5L of displacement should be plenty. It would be great to be at 200hp with a head swap or something relatively simple. Right now, my engine is stock with a Conforti chip, which didn't add a lot but does now require premium fuel. It's an upgrade worth doing but don't expect a huge seat-of-the-pants change.

[doctorx69]

there is something wrong with your vert then. There is a lot going on on my vert, slow isnt one of them... especially after 4k.

[goinstrong]

Our 1988 325iC manual with a Dinan chip really goes after about 3500 rpms! It is 2 different cars. The slower one below 3500 rpms, and the fast one above 3500 rpms. My wife drives it one way, and I drive it the other way...haha! She did say she liked that she could step on it and get around someone who was annoying though...
Ours is a tired engine with 205,000 on it, so if yours is lacking pep, there is probably something else going on.

[DanZ3]

I also have an 87 vert 5spd. My daily driver is a 128i 3.0 automatic. Talk about a heavy car. The 87 is more fun to drive even with 170 vs 230 hp. Likely not faster but defiantly more enjoyable. I agree with others. Keep the 2.5 and find the issue with performance.

[fishinrod]

I also have an 87 vert 5spd. My daily driver is a 128i 3.0 automatic. Talk about a heavy car. The 87 is more fun to drive even with 170 vs 230 hp. Likely not faster but defiantly more enjoyable. I agree with others. Keep the 2.5 and find the issue with performance.

Just a quick thought, have you checked the condition of the catalytic converter??? There is a possibility that it is plugged sufficiently to affect power. I had a similar situation with a Volvo turbo many years ago, NO power. Took off and cleaned the cat. reinstalled the shell and it was a totally different vehicle. Try installing a by pass pipe (straight pipe ) if it works then your a happy camper!

[DRVN2WN]

With respect, the '87 vert is slow. I own one that was purchased new by a family member. This engine made what, 160-170hp new? And it's a heavy car. My 1.8L Integra smokes the E30's acceleration. I like the E30, which is why I keep it and dump way too much money in it for the amount it's driven. However, it is under-powered, slow and uses a lot of gas (averages 16-18mpg combined driving). I believe the power problem is "flow" and 2.5L of displacement should be plenty. It would be great to be at 200hp with a head swap or something relatively simple. Right now, my engine is stock with a Conforti chip, which didn't add a lot but does now require premium fuel. It's an upgrade worth doing but don't expect a huge seat-of-the-pants change.

You have something wrong with your car. The stock 325i is no hot rod for sure, but you should see better MPGs than that in normal mixed driving (unless that means flogging it). That said, the Integra's B18 is a good engine, especially if it's a GSR and packs a nice little punch (even the LS is still pretty stout) and may have you spoiled.