you guys are the experts thats why i need ur help

[indep]

hey everyone, fist of all thanks for takin the time to read my question and second of all u will find out i am not good in cars by the end of this msg hehe

I am a very creative guy and i want to buy a 1994 bmw 325 with a dead engine and i want to completely redesign it. Build something very cool like i have drawings and everything but i do have a couple of problems.

I don't want a nice car without a good engine, i was wondering if it is possible to find a good and powerful engine that i would be able to put in the car or is that not possible ? and what would you guys recommend.
thanks

Also what else should i change in the car, should i touch the suspensions, or other details before i head to the body and interior

Could you please tell me waht technical specs i need to change or should change to make the car powerful before i start the desiginng

thanks a lot !!!

[public]

Since you are a novice I would start with a car that allready has a good engine. This model is fine just not this one. Whatever you get, check out the model specific forums. The guys who really know that model will be there with specifics. Good Luck.

[MagicRat]

I would also suggest to start out 'small' that is, do some minor projects on your car first, rather than try to do it all at once.
There have been many car enthusiasts who attempt to modify or restore a car project in one massive project.
Inevitably many reaslise after disassembly they lack the money, knowledge of enthusiasm to get it done, and they end up selling a pile of disassembled parts instead of a car.

[curtis73]

BMW guys (like me) will tell you to always start with suspension first. BMW engines are very well tuned and there is very little power to be gained with aftermarket bolt ons. You could use one of the many supercharger kits available for that car.

Car crafters (like me as well) would say; the good news is that BMW engines usually share enough things in common that swaps are relatively easy. I wouldn't dive in as a novice, but its been done plenty of times. Even V12s from the 7 series have made their way into the tiny 80's 3-series cars.

Here are some links to get you started (in addition to the BMW forums here)

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e36/
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/

The first one there is a very mature and technical forum that is starting down the path of bling, so you'll get mixed responses. The second one is a little younger and more forgiving of modifications.

Focus on suspension first for two reasons; 1) that is BMWs strong point, and 2) the tire/wheel clearances are pretty tight and it may affect your final choice of body and wheel mods.

Then swap in an M52 engine from an M3. Its a 3.0L six, and it will be a bolt-in, but it will get you 241 hp and 236 ft-lbs. BMWs aren't made for huge power. You can get away with plenty, but they are a refined sports car. Brute force will get you just that; brute force. No handling, no traction, less reliability. I think once you drive it and get used to it with 240 hp you'll be so happy you won't need to change a thing. That car is just a touch over 3000 lbs, so it doesn't need tons of power anyway.

[indep]

thanks guys, i appreciate the help
now one last question, what's the differnece between a 318 and a 325 or 328

thanks

[BeEfCaKe]

Although not toally related, here is a link to a thread in which a guy did a walkthrough of his M3 motor swap on a 323.. VERY good read, if you got time, I strongly suggest you read it..

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...3&page=1&pp=20

[BeEfCaKe]

Originally Posted by indep

thanks guys, i appreciate the help
now one last question, what's the differnece between a 318 and a 325 or 328

thanks

1.8L
2.5L
2.8L