E30 Zone

Don't know if this is technical or engine swaps???
But either way, can anyone tell me if there are any problems fitting the E28 525/2.7 engine into a 320i 1989 tourer??? I know many have done the 3.5 and it needs different mountings... does the 2.5/2.7??? it looks the same as my 320 from outside.

Any advice reccomendations very gratefully recieved!!

Cheers Guys

if it has the m20 engine
then it goes straight in just need to change chip in the ecu

is this a 525i or a 525e?

Its an 86' 525e 2.7 auto, engine seems good and bodywork dying so I was thinking about buying it to transplant engine, but don't want to dig myself a hole!!

right well heres where the fun begins then

the 525e engine is a very low revving economy engine
so wnt give you 325 performance

however this is the block that is used to build a proper 2.7 engine for an e30

by adding a 325 head to the block with some machining you can get between 190/200 bhp
and buckets of torque
you can just fit it as it is but i dnt think the standard engine is that powerfull without the mods above

have a search thrugh engine swaps section for 327 and all will become clear

there is a lot of potential available but it will cost

mmm thats very helpful! Thanks Daz! I am looking to out my 2litre as its not that powerful and everyone says they're not as economical as 2.5!! and eventually I would really like to build a nice 2.7 unit to run when finances allow, so this may well be the way to go for the time being, as hopefully the standard unit will be an improvement over the 2litre?
It would not be worth doing if its easier to fit the 325i lump as they can be picked up for similar money! but the potential is what is tempting me and I can maybe sell some E28 parts to get some cash back

not sure what inj system the 525 uses so you may have to swap the sensors and a few other things to get it run in the 320 but im sure these would be useable from yur current engine

sure someone with more knowledge will spot this soon and add more advice

personally i would strip the 525 keep the block and sell off as much as you can

and in the meantime try find a cheap 325 engine to put in
this in the long run will save you time as you wnt have to remove the 27 again when it comes to building it proper
also youll always have your car on the road until the real engines built then its a simple slot in and go

im doing this to my sport but money is holding me up at the moment
i have block/head etc but need to start spending on machining the head and block then buy a decent cam and vernier pulley to complete the build

will get there eventualy

just make it simple and put a 325i engine in! the 325 is amazing and you will love the massive difference in power

i had a 320 just to play with over last winter then i bought a 325i and its a million times quicker!

my engine will be up for sale soon (if all permits) but i think your a bit far for it.

m20 rocks

you could also take you time with the 2.7 build

I used the 320 head on the eta short motor,320 sump on its bottom.Do check the bores for wear,there should be no ridge at the top.Do remove a main bearing cap,there should be no scoring on the crank.You will need 325 inlet manifold,FPR and injectors to get clean running above 4000rpm.You will also need a zone chip.I have just fitted a 3.64 diff,the standard 320 item gives manic acaleration(sp)but poor economy.Fitting is straight forward,the 2.7 is the same external size as the 2.0/2.5.Enjoy.

If you're looking to drop a 325 engine in, Spadge currently has one for sale in parts section, supposedly low mileage and not expensive! I'm in the same 320 situation except I'm leaning towards selling the car and getting an e34, I guess I must be getting older and leaning towards more comfort.

Cheers Casper, saw that motor Spadge has and was very tempted, but cant afford the outlay of a 325 and have any left to build the 2.7, so thats why I was tempted when i saw a 525e for sale not to far from me because I cant really afford to spend any cash at the mo, but as i can sell some E28 parts to try and recoup some costs and pay for the 325 inlet/tb/injectors, I can just about justify the outlay!

Thanks Daimlerman, thats some useful information to keep in mind, I m going to have a look probably on saturday, and if its runs properly I may well take it home and start breaking it for parts to finance the next stages

Ive running a std ETA 2.7 in 2l shell at present with the std (sh*t) ETA head and cam
and though its got more torque than the 2l , its no more powerfull, ,,
BUT CAN NEVER FIND THE TIME TO RIP THE THE HEAD OFF TO COMPLETE THE CONVERSION ,
i ve also got a eta block fitted ported 731 head and 325 cam injectors etc thats a lot lot better , 4 aa quick fix , drop[ a 325 in , job done ,
the ETA really needs the 731 head and 325 cam and fueling and a CHIP from ANT to let it rip

so my advice would be get a cheap 325 to fit 1st , this then allows you build up the eta block with your 2 l head properly over time AND SWOPP IT OVER WHEN YOUR READY
GOOD LUCK

This is not a straight foward swap,i think that if you are going to post replies on this forum,you should be factual as misinformation can cost the other guy a lot of money and heartache,so be sure of what you post.Now the sump from the e30 will have to be swapped over to the 525i block,secondly the dip stick is in the wrong place and this needs to be shifted,the engine mounts need to be swapped over,the ecu needs to be swapped as well and i could go on.So if you do not know what you are saying factually don't post.

CHeers Pip, So your saying there are a number of things I should be aware of! but would you say that all the necessary parts (apart from 325 inlets etc) are there to use from either the 320 or the 525 combined??? or are there going to be numerous other parts to source from elsewhere at additional cost for the exchange???

Apart from the inlet manifold/throttle body, all the parts you need are either on your old 320 engine or the 525e.
320 ECU is OK with an appropriate chip.

pip wrote:This is not a straight foward swap,i think that if you are going to post replies on this forum,you should be factual as misinformation can cost the other guy a lot of money and heartache,so be sure of what you post.Now the sump from the e30 will have to be swapped over to the 525i block,secondly the dip stick is in the wrong place and this needs to be shifted,the engine mounts need to be swapped over,the ecu needs to be swapped as well and i could go on.So if you do not know what you are saying factually don't post.

as posted before


have a search thrugh engine swaps section for 327 and all will become clear

dazleeds wrote:have a search thrugh engine swaps section for 327 and all will become clear

But beware the confusion with the US 325e engine which has some relevant differences.

Thanks Guys for ALL the useful input, Now I just need to ask my Dad if he would mind me breaking the car in his drive for a few weeks, bearing in mind, I already store my e34 M5 there which takes some space in its carcoon! (like a silver zeppelin!!) and convince the wife that I can make back the £300 it cost to buy the 525 and the worthwhile nature of this project!!!

£300 FAR TO MUCH 4 A 525E MORE LIKE £100 TO 150 200 MAX
REMEMBER U CAN PICT UPA GOOD 325 200 ISH AND JUST DROP IT IN

Oh Ok, I thought it was.nt too bad for the whole car, but only because someone else is selling the 525e engine only for £199 but that does'nt mean they are'nt taking the p**s price wise too!!!

Pip,My conversion is up and running,I stand by my correct post.You do not need to change ECU to run an eta engine in a 320,just swap the chip for a zone one available from Ant.If you read my post I mentioned sump swap!! As I have posted in the recent past on the full cost of my conversion I will not bore my readers with the facts again,but if Ricksta wants these details I am willing to pass on any information that I have.If a non professonal such as I can do this swap,I would consider it straight forward.I would not attempt a swap to a 3.5,for example,because I would consider that such a conversion is beyond me.