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KONDIEE · 09-14-2008, 09:42 PM

I have a 1982 BMW 320. A few years back I swapped the engine from a straight six to a 4 cylinder. The problem is the front rides almost 2 inches higher than the back and it looks wierd. I was wondering if the front springs are rated for a heavier engine and therefore the car is riding higher in the front. What can I do? get springs rated for a lighter engine?

Initial D.oug · 09-14-2008, 09:45 PM

buhhhh, you had a 320i that had a straight six and you replaced it with a 4 cylinder? An e21 320i? Cause that would make it a 323i.

Definitely the weight difference would play a part on ride height. You could go for some sport springs to lower the front end.

KONDIEE · 09-14-2008, 09:52 PM

Nope its a e21 320 with the M20 engine.

KONDIEE · 09-14-2008, 09:53 PM

now it has a 1979 318i engine in it.

KONDIEE · 09-14-2008, 09:57 PM

Does anyone know any good websites where I could get sport springs in Canada of US?

Weeman83 · 09-14-2008, 10:29 PM

The lingering question is......why?!?!

Poon · 09-14-2008, 10:32 PM

http://www.bavauto.com/

You can get almost everything you would need for your car here.

-Andrew Poon

CrazyCanuck · 09-15-2008, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by KONDIEE

Nope its a e21 320 with the M20 engine.

So the question remains, Is the car a euro grey market car?

And why would you downgrade to a 4 cylinder from a 6 cylinder?

Weeman83 · 09-15-2008, 10:33 AM

Could have been yet another Armed Forces car that belonged to a service member that served in our bases in Europe, and brought it back when the posting was over.

Bumpers may have been changed to comply with NA bumper laws.

Check VIN at www.realOEM.com!

KONDIEE · 09-15-2008, 03:37 PM

Nope bumpers are euro. The six cylinder died, and at the time I found the new engine in a car for 100 bucks so i swapped it. I would love to put a M20 back in it though.

KONDIEE · 09-15-2008, 03:38 PM

thanks for the websites!

KONDIEE · 09-15-2008, 03:39 PM

haha they have no springs for the car woo!

KONDIEE · 09-15-2008, 03:59 PM

Yes it was an armed forces car brought over.

KONDIEE · 09-15-2008, 04:00 PM

and it is sucking my bank account dry.

Al Canuck · 09-15-2008, 06:51 PM

What did you do with the transmission that came out of it when you swapped to the M10?

The 320 is an odd car. Drum brakes out back, 2.0L M20 with Solex 4 barrel, but the same front suspension as the 323i.

All I can say is, get an M20 back in that bad boy!

Al

09-14-2008, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	1982 BMW 320 front end spring problem I have a 1982 BMW 320. A few years back I swapped the engine from a straight six to a 4 cylinder. The problem is the front rides almost 2 inches higher than the back and it looks wierd. I was wondering if the front springs are rated for a heavier engine and therefore the car is riding higher in the front. What can I do? get springs rated for a lighter engine?

09-14-2008, 10:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
Poon Senior Member Name: Andrew Joined: Mar 2007 From: Surrey Posts: 387 iTrader: 1 Thanks: 1 6 Times in 6 Posts Poon's pictures '72 BMW 2002 '80 BMW 320is '76 BMW 2002	http://www.bavauto.com/ You can get almost everything you would need for your car here. -Andrew Poon __________________ www.germanautosports.com '72 2002 Chamonix (Rust Bucket) '76 2002 Mintgrun (Summer DD) '80 320is Imola (Year 'round DD)

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09-14-2008, 09:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Initial D.oug Senior Member Name: Mike Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,128 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 1 Time in 1 Post	buhhhh, you had a 320i that had a straight six and you replaced it with a 4 cylinder? An e21 320i? Cause that would make it a 323i. Definitely the weight difference would play a part on ride height. You could go for some sport springs to lower the front end.

09-14-2008, 09:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	Nope its a e21 320 with the M20 engine.

09-14-2008, 09:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	now it has a 1979 318i engine in it.

09-14-2008, 09:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	Does anyone know any good websites where I could get sport springs in Canada of US?

09-14-2008, 10:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Weeman83 Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007 From: Richmond Posts: 1,293 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 13 14 Times in 9 Posts Weeman83's pictures '91 BMW 318IS	The lingering question is......why?!?!

09-15-2008, 10:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Weeman83 Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007 From: Richmond Posts: 1,293 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 13 14 Times in 9 Posts Weeman83's pictures '91 BMW 318IS	Could have been yet another Armed Forces car that belonged to a service member that served in our bases in Europe, and brought it back when the posting was over. Bumpers may have been changed to comply with NA bumper laws. Check VIN at www.realOEM.com!

09-15-2008, 03:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	Nope bumpers are euro. The six cylinder died, and at the time I found the new engine in a car for 100 bucks so i swapped it. I would love to put a M20 back in it though.

09-15-2008, 03:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	thanks for the websites!

09-15-2008, 03:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	haha they have no springs for the car woo!

09-15-2008, 03:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	Yes it was an armed forces car brought over.

09-15-2008, 04:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
KONDIEE newbie Name: Michael Joined: Sep 2008 From: Canada Posts: 21 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 0 Times in 0 Posts KONDIEE's pictures	and it is sucking my bank account dry.

09-15-2008, 06:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
Al Canuck Banned Name: Al Joined: Jul 2005 From: Surrey, BC Posts: 1,850 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 4 3 Times in 3 Posts	What did you do with the transmission that came out of it when you swapped to the M10? The 320 is an odd car. Drum brakes out back, 2.0L M20 with Solex 4 barrel, but the same front suspension as the 323i. All I can say is, get an M20 back in that bad boy! Al

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1982 BMW 320 front end spring problem