"i" motor swap...

[SMS19]

Ok...i own a 1987 325e with an es motor....what i wanna do is swap over to an "i" engine and everything.

My questions:
What all do i need?
How hard is this gonna be?
Can i use the same transmission?

[Brianmoooore]

We don't have the 325e over here, but it's a M20 engine, same as the i, so just should be a straight swap, along with the complete engine loom and ECU.
Now a question for you! Your cars have a "check engine light" on the dash - the one that blinks fault codes when you stomp on the accelerator pedal a few times, or comes on when there's an engine fault.
Where is this light on the instrument panel?

[Ant]

es should have the 885 head casting, eta 10.5:1 bottom end with the small eta intake runners and TB

assuming it is the 885 head, an i bottom end would be compatable, should be motronic 1.1 iirc.

trans can stay as is,

es= super eta, so thats eta slugs with 2-5i head, should be pokey, almost defo only restricted by the small TB and intake runners, what's the stock HP claimed dude ?

[SMS19]

I dont know much about m20 engines...i just now started to really get into them. Also the motor that is in the car right now wont start for some reason...what are some common m20 engine problems?

[SMS19]

We don't have the 325e over here, but it's a M20 engine, same as the i, so just should be a straight swap, along with the complete engine loom and ECU.
Now a question for you! Your cars have a "check engine light" on the dash - the one that blinks fault codes when you stomp on the accelerator pedal a few times, or comes on when there's an engine fault.
Where is this light on the instrument panel?

uhh...dont know...i would have to go look at it...it doesnt run right now.

[SMS19]

what's the stock HP claimed dude ?

Dont know....all i know is the ES is a 2.7L 6cylinder....

[SMS19]

So what i need to know now is...

What are some common m20 engine start problems?

And also do you guys think it would be better to try the swap or just find a 325i and buy it?

[Gouki]

is the 325e model have the same engine as the 525e?

[SMS19]

I dont know....i know the "es" motors are 2.7L 6cylinders...

[Ant]

assuming she turns on the key ( ?? )

ign on, check for 12V @ coil + ve terminal.

then check for 12v on the injector loom red/white tracer wire, approx 2.5mm in size

do you get rpm displayed when turning over ?

[SMS19]

Its been a long time since my dad tried to get it running so i have no clue on any of those questions.

Once febuary comes around and i get another job i will start working on it again...and hopefully figure out the problem.

Why do the "e" motors redline so low? From what the tach says its redline is at 4.5k....

[Brianmoooore]

Why do the "e" motors redline so low? From what the tach says its redline is at 4.5k....

Because the cam runs out of puff above this sort of RPM.
Engine bottom end will stand 6000+ RPM OK if fitted with the appropriate top end bits.

[SMS19]

Hmm...looks like an "i" head swap is in order...along with a good turbo system. Plus A LOT of maintenance....and a lot of restoring.

[Speedtouch]

Have ya got gas in it? It may have gone stale if you haven't used it in ages - could be worth filling her up...

[bottlecapE30]

es should have the 885 head casting, eta 10.5:1 bottom end with the small eta intake runners and TB

assuming it is the 885 head, an i bottom end would be compatable, should be motronic 1.1 iirc.

trans can stay as is,

es= super eta, so thats eta slugs with 2-5i head, should be pokey, almost defo only restricted by the small TB and intake runners, what's the stock HP claimed dude ?

Close but no the super eta's were only made in 1988 and labled as just e
a 325es is a m20b27 with a 200 head casting small long intake manifold and small throttle body and monotronic 1.1. It is labled s because it came with the sport package( sport seats, suspention,lips, spoliers,ect..)
This swap is common over here but it can be kind of a pain. as the whole loom must change and you will need a new rad. and ecu.
I would recommend you just find a 325i, if you can't find one then do the swap.

[SMS19]

its a 1987 325e but the original motor went out so they replaced it with a new "es" motor....or thats what i was told.

I should be able to find a 325i around here somewhere....might be able to find one in a J/Y around here and just use it as a parts car to do the swap.

[Ant]

he block should have an ID number along the sump flange area, will give info as to what spec the botom end is dude

same goes for the head, casting number is on the inlet side of the head 1/2" high lettering,

200 casting is defo a stock Eta mill, 885 is ES for sure.

[SMS19]

Has anybody tried turbocharging the "e" motors?...i know with the kind of cam they got in them the car off turbo stops pulling at around 5k but what if i did a small turbo setup like a 14b or 16g from a dsm....or even a t25. The t25's powerband is from like 2300-5500...a megasquirt FMU and all the other supporting mods...think it would be worth it?

Oh yeah...there is a 528e here that is wrecked and my dad is thinking about buying it....the 528e's have the same m20 engine if im not mistaken. Would the wiring harness, computer and everything still be the same as the m20 in the 3 car?

[SMS19]

anybody?

[Brianmoooore]

Was just going to suggest you try posting this in the engine swaps/forced induction forum, but I see you already have, and are getting replies.
I'll put a lock on this one to avoid parallel threads.