andym3 Posted May 10, 2019 Report Share Posted May 10, 2019 Hi all, im toying with the idea of dropping a 330 lump in my 320. My question is other than the engine itself what else needs changing? As both engines are 6 cylinder and think both are M54, will the gearbox and exhaust all be the same? will the 330 lump run with the ecu that’s currently in my 320? thanks in advance 😉👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 I'd have thought you'd have to change over everything to do it properly.. Engine Loom ECU Gearbox Exhaust Driveshaft Diff Half shafts Brakes And likely suspension too as the 3.0ltr is much heavier than the 2.0ltr. I'm sure you could get away with the bare minimum like engine/gearbox/ecu but i'd be expecting something big to go wrong every time I drove it.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym3 Posted May 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 (edited) Ok thanks 👍 Both engines are 6 cylinder and both M54 so don’t think there will be much in it re weight. As for driveshafts etc will have to find out if they were uprated for the 330 then. Hope there the same otherwise it will be a lot of work 😂 Edited May 11, 2019 by andym3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Driveshafts are 100% uprated as the 330i/330d ones are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim-Ci Posted September 2, 2019 Report Share Posted September 2, 2019 (edited) The gear ratios are very similar but the diff. ratio is different between a 320 and 330, so yours will rev higher than a 330 would normally if you keep the same diff. Some people like that though as it helps acceleration, but it will lose you a bit of economy compared to having a 330 diff, perhaps 1-2mpg at motorway speed. A 6 speed 330 box will help a bit with cruising economy too, not sure how easy they are to fit though. If you fit a 330i diff. you will lower the revs to those of a 330 basically, and gain a bit of mpg but lose in gear acceleration compared to the 320 diff. (still better than standard with a 320 engine and diff I would imagine though) . I think the 330 gearing (diff) is a bit too tall personally so the 320 diff might make for a nicer drive if you don't mind losing a bit of potential economy, like what they did to the American E46 ZHP models to improve acceleration). I have a 6 speed box though, so have low revs in top gear on the motorway. With a 5 speed I wouldn't want to raise the revs personally, it's totally your choice though of course..... Here's some gearbox/diff. info, it doesn't list the 320i 'vert only the 323i though, I fairly certain your will be geared very similarly to a 323i (i.e. basically the same as all the other models from 2nd-5th gear - so it's the diff. that makes the difference (sorry!)): http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/GearRatios_E46.htm Edited September 2, 2019 by Tim-Ci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
