84' 318i

[colin13]

I have a 84' 318i with a rebuilt engine but the body is demolished, and a 86 convertible with a tired engine but a great body. Is it possible to put the 318i engine into the convertible?

 

[junglestylz]

yeah.

 

[Kether]

The convertible weighs a buttload more.. and that 318 motor puts 100hp to the flywheel I belive. The car would move.. but barely.

 

[rjp325i]

Yes it will fit and can be done but you will have no performance at all. My old 85 318i auto had a 4:10 rear end ratio to help it move and the 86 has a much lower (numerical) ratio (2.93) because of the "e" engine. You will not be happy with the changeout. The "i" engine came with a 3.73 ratio. Are you sure you have an 86 and not an 87 convertible? I thought the first year for the convert was 87.

 

[colin13]

well, here's the situation. My dad and i are attempting to fix the front left side or the car including the strut, fender, grille, front clip, etc. A body shop said it would be a big job. The engine to the 84' 318i was just rebuilt about 4 years ago, a year before the car was hit. We saw a convertible on sale and thought that would work well, but obviously not. We were trying to weigh out the prices of buying parts vs a 318i with a good body. Any other ideas?

 

[DrPierceMD]

If I were you I would check around at some local junk yards and see if you can find a good car body and then just drop in the engine. Of course it won't be that easy. That is what I did after I crashed my 90' 318is. I was able to find a really good body and only had to pay $250 for it.

 

[junglestylz]

Buy the convertable body, and drop a eurospec S50 B30 M3 engine in it [fake]