E36 Engine Swap Candidate - Any difference between a 318is and 325is?

I'm debating starting an E46 M3 --> E36 swap, or a V8 (5.0 or LS1), and wondering if there are any big differences between the 4cyl and 6cyl cars that would make one or the other a better swap candidate. Things like fuel system capacity (pumps/lines), or suspension/brake differences, or anything else someone more experienced with these cars might know of. The two vehicles I'm currently considering are a '93 318is and a '95 325is

Thanks!

I think the cooling system, some electronics, and the trans mounts/shifter/driveshaft/diff are different, but that should be it. Some people say the brakes are different but from what I have seen, from '92-95 anyway, they are the same.

318s could hypothetically be a lighter base owing to their base model status with few options, but that isn't necessarily true if the 325 has no options but the 318 was loaded.

The only significant difference to you (removing engine and trans) is that you can sell a decent S52 for $2500, an S50 for $2000, an M50 for $750 and you will have to give the M42 away just to get it out of your garage. 2002 guys like these for a swap so ... they will come pick it up but they will only buy you beer in exchange.

Front brakes are not a concern because if you start with an M3 chassis the brakes are adequate, and any other model is going to need an upgrade to track it with a huge top speed increase so you were changing them eventually.

You are going to want M3 axles out back - I do not recall if that requires you upgrade the control arms.

Diffs, axles and DS are different

• 318 = small diff (168mm; 3.45 or 4.44)
• 325/328/M3 = medium diff (188mm; 2.93, 3.15, 3.23, 3.38, 3.91)

V8

e36v8.com has a huge amount of info.

Thanks for the infomation guys. I think it's worth waiting for a I6 car, so I'll probably strike the 318is from the list. Most of my experience is with E30's, and the 91 318is is good in a different way than the M20 cars. For my purposes though (E36), probably worth holding out.

On the S54 vs. v8 debate, I definitely understand where the v8 guys are coming from, but I have the Z06 already, and a thirdgen Camaro undergoing an LS1 transplant. Sometimes it's nice to change it up a little bit.

Hunt down one that already has an LSD installed, they seem to command crazy money online as not too many cars were optioned with it. The S denotes LSD also should be an S painted on the diff housing.