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Update: Preparing for an engine swap.


doslucero

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I can't believe its almost been a year since I last posted on my blog.  I definitely haven't been slacking on working on the car so here's an update on the thing's I've done since I last posted in July 2017.

 

Fixed the sunroof

Ditched the US spec bumpers and put some used chrome bumpers on.

Installed a GPS speedo since the old one never worked (I love it). 

Installed an aluminum radiator with electric fan.  

Installed a new weber carb.  Best think I could have done to make the car start and idle good.

Installed an electric fuel pump.  

 

These improvements have been great and the car runs better that it ever has but the engine has always been tired since I got it running 2 years ago and smokes constantly.  The engine needs to be rebuilt.  But instead of pulling the engine and spending alot of money and time rebuilding it, I bought a 1979 320i (with the sports package) for $500 from a family friend.  The owner put a new engine in the car 15 years ago and drove it for 40k miles till he parked it on his farm in Las Cruces, NM.  Its a cool little car and I'd love to restore it but its pretty sun baked and pretty much needs everything cosmetic.  So I'm gonna rob the engine, recaro seats, and I've already pulled the Limited slip diff.  This will be my first engine swap and I'm looking forward to it.  My 02 should be pretty sweet when its all done. I'm gonna ditch the fuel injection for right now when I do the swap since everyone says its crap and I also purchased a 5speed getrag 240 thats going in with the newish engine.  

 

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3 Comments


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Hi there. How is that project going? I've been thinking in doing the same with my 73'. I just want my car to 'move' better. Where are you located? 

 

How much power are you expecting to get out of that engine? 

 

Regards,

Danmoto

Sacramento

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1 hour ago, dansacto13 said:

Hi there. How is that project going? I've been thinking in doing the same with my 73'. I just want my car to 'move' better. Where are you located? 

 

How much power are you expecting to get out of that engine? 

 

Regards,

Danmoto

Sacramento

Hi,

I'm located in Phoenix, AZ. The swap is going slow but making progress.  The engines in both cars are 2.0 liters so there wont be a huge power increase.  I'm sure it will run a hell of a lot better however due to a low mileage engine, with good rings and gaskets. I believe your car may be a 1.8 so there may be more of a power increase with your swap.  I purchased a Ireland Engineering shorty header to replace the stock exhaust manifold so that should add a little bit of power and reduce weight.  What I've done so far is prep the 320i for the engine to be removed.  I disconnected, exhaust, all lines an hoses to engine, radiator and took off the fuel injection because I'm going to place my weber on the new engine for now.  It's amazing how much weight all the fuel injection and intake bits add to the engine.  I also already swapped the 320is LSD rear diff in my car.  Thats a pretty sweet little upgrade for my 2002.  The LSD swap took a little bit of additional work to the cv axles cause the 320 cv joints have different bolt sizes than the 2002.  Had to modify the cv axles to have 2002 joints on the outside and 320 joints on the inside.  Not a super difficult job but real greasy.  I finally picked up a engine hoist and two engine stands on craigslist for $100 and will pull the 320 engine next week.  The only major change to the engine ill have to do is swapping oil pans and oil pickups.  I've been told its a pretty straight forward swap.  Im also collecting the parts for the 5 speed swap.  I'll have to modify the driveshaft and shifter plate.  But Ill tackle that when I put the engine and trans in the 2002.  

Edited by doslucero
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