are they the same?

[jiminEcricket]

i am soon going to be doing a full rebuild on my 89' 525i. BUT i don't want to be without the car for the long (and expect the unexpected downtime) around my area you can't find an e34 in the bone yard to save your life, BUT there are several 325's . my question is- is an m20 in the 5 series of around the same year the same or close too the m20 in a similar year 325. this way i can build that motor (and still drive my car) and have minimal downtime. thanks in advance for any input.:)

[CharlesAFerg]

uh, the oil filter is in an akwardf position on the E30 M20, but that's the extent of my knowlege lol

[Jon K]

Should be the same. engine mount might bolt in a different spot but not sure.

[Rigmaster]

AFAIK, the motor mount arm holes are in different positions on an E30M20 and an E34M20. Don't know if it's something you can work around easily......



Bret.

[moots]

the oil filter adaptor must be transferred as they are different.the motor mounts also are different.they must be retained.the oil dipstick as taken from the oil sump for the e34 but the e30 is taken from the block.

[Ross]

I recall something about the bolt bosses being there but untapped.

[jiminEcricket]

hmmm. too many variables to risk rebuilding a motor that i cannot use. i guess the search continues. thanks for helping my wallet , as lord knows this car is Breaking My Wallet allready. (but in the end it's worth it)

[92E34]

I don't know how much work is involved, but i've heard of a swap to a M50 from a M20.

[winfred]

a 87-91 325I motor is a direct swap for a 89-90 525, exactly the same long block, if you want to nit pick a difference, the 525s dipstick plugs into the oil pan where the 325s plugs into the block, but the 325 pan works just fine in the e34, you need swap all of the brackets and main wiring harness to the 325 motor, the oil cooler adapter just unscrews and the oil filter adapter screws right in from the 525. if the 325 motor does not have a oil cooler it's not the same engine, 528e motors are E engines and different, they could be made to work but you would be giving up around 40hp