[wdas]

Hello,
I want to ask a question about swapping engines.
As far as I know those engines (e90 2005 318d and 320d) are the same, but with minor changes.

So my question is , i have 320d and want to swap the entire engine with turbos and pumps and everything from 318d and place inside 320d.
Would there be any issue ? I guess i am wondering if would make any difference being connected with the 320d ECU?

[Tambohamilton]

I don't think they're plug and play. There are differences, such as the injectors, which I think would mean you'd need the whole engine wiring and DDE from the donor...then all the fun of coding that to work in its new home.

Potentially you can take the 318 hardware (block, turbos, etc), swap the 320 injectors and electronics onto it, then it might run fine on the 320 ECU/wiring.

Either way, sounds like a lot of work for a downgrade!

[wdas]

The donor engine has all its items onto it with pumps and turbo, so I would just need to change the injectors then?
Or can I just leave the original injectors and everything, place it inside 320d and change the ECU to the 318d ecu?

[Tambohamilton]

I don't know if it's just the injectors, but it's at least the injectors. I think you could just swap them, but I really don't know, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were more differences.

I think that if you fit the 318 ECU you'll need to code it and/or the CAS module, and various others so that they all work together. Not impossible, but definitely very involved, and many things which could go wrong.

[wdas]

There mightbe difference im camshaft too as I read in other topics?

[Tambohamilton]

Maybe, yeah.

I think your best bet is to use the full 318 system. Coding it to communicate with the other modules in the car should be OK, but I really don't know what the pitfalls might be.

[wdas]

There is also difference in gearbox, as 318 comes from manual and 320 is automatic, that might be an issue too?

[Tambohamilton]

Pass, I don't know. Good luck!