Decided on Engine Swap 2.7...Help

[STIRAe30]

Hi, I have decided to go the 2.7 conversion route. 525e eta bottom end and a 731 head 320i. Am i right in thinking that the piston bore will be bigger than the Head? Also will it be as simple as people make out, whats the hardest part? 525e bottom ends are all auto is this a pain to mate the gearbox to the engine? Last but not least do all Water and Air hoses need altering or will the the standard ones be ok. Please help as i want to know what im letting myself in for Cheers All, Ben.

[E30BeemerLad]

have you seen this dude?

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=89665

[march109]

ALL of the answers you seek are in :

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=89665

[STIRAe30]

Thanks Thats really helped So where can i source a Eta Bottom end? I take it they are as rare as rocking horse s**t......

[march109]

Not rare at all, they come up on ebay all the time, look also for cheap 525e's. I picked up my last one for £50 with 98,000 miloes on it and a wad of history.

Ant can also sell you one pre built for about £3000.

[daimlerman]

When you come to build up your 2.7,you will need to fit the E30 specific bits such as waterpump and sump.731 head is fine with a standard eta short motor,expect around 180bhp...Ant will supply a suitable chip for your ECU. Hardest part is shifting the 22mm front pulley bolt,it's tightened to 400ftlb,I slackened mine off with the aid of the starter motor.You will need a spigot bearing for the crankshaft rear end,to support the gearbox first motion shaft,a pound or two via the zone parts dept.

[STIRAe30]

Thanks For all your help guys, No doubt i will be asking some more questions in future. Any one got a short block eta 525e....? Cheers...