2.7 ETA into 320i Automatic (facelift Motronic model)

Post Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:25 am

Hi Guys,

As soon as my manual 325i is back on the road, (should be next week) I want to take my automatic 320i off the road and convert it to a 2.7 ETA + 731 head.

I already have the engine, it was in my 325i when I purchased it however its got a blown headgasket and could do with new rings, i decided to chuck a factory 325i engine back in that car to keep it original.

Now.. back to the 320i, this is my daily driver, i'm sick of the lack of low down torque and the fact that 0-60mph takes over 10 seconds (thanks to the auto box).

Sadly I must keep this car automatic (its all the g/f will drive) however in my mind it should still go well with the 2.7 as the overall nature of this engine is that it has loads of torque but doesn't like revving out.

Post Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:26 am

Would I be correct in assuming that i can just chip the motronic ECU in the 320i to handle the 2.7 conversion?

The car already seems to have 4 wheel discs, but what else should I change, I will ditch the factory small case 4.1 diff and swap in a cheap 3.62 medium case one, too keep the revs down on the motorway, at this time its 3000rpm at 62mph approx.

Any input is welcome

Post Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:47 am

We offer a chip to suit the 27E and 731 head combo, use the 320 complete head, 325 intake and TB with injectors and AFM, none of the ETA running gear is required apart from the shortblock.

HTH

Post Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:16 am

Cheers Ant,
Yeah its already got the 325i intake, TB injectors etc.
I will need another AFM though, as I only have the 320i one spare.

This was how it was running in the 325i, it doesn't like revving out.

Would your chip help this a bit? my cam could be worn I guess, will check it all our when rebuilding it of course, the cam is from a 323i, was told this was the best stock cam I could get for it though.

I don't want to spend much on this car, its still going to be the daily driver.

Post Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:40 am

Does anyone know the Part number for a Facelift 325i AFM?

My 320i has a 0 280 202 083, but i need the number of the 325i one thanks

Post Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:43 pm

nzbimmer wrote:Does anyone know the Part number for a Facelift 325i AFM?

My 320i has a 0 280 202 083, but i need the number of the 325i one thanks

It's either 082 or 084. Sorry, can't check for 100% as my car's not here.

Post Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:54 pm

Your plans sound good,as Ant says he can supply a suitable chip for your spec.
As you have to remove the head to swap the gasket and you have a 323 cam,it would be worth thinking about opening up the valve seats to take 325 sized valves.
That kind of spec. should see around 180-185bhp with plenty of grunt at the bottom end.B7(Trev)has just completed a slightly higher spec. engine for his cabbie and reports that it works well with the autobox.May be an idea to check with him which diff ratio he is using.
My manual 2.7 with 731 head and stock 325 cam uses a 3.64 diff,I have sufficent torque to overtake a truck travelling at 56mph without dropping a gear...ie...accellerate from 56 to 80 whilst overtaking,all in 5th!

Post Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:41 pm

It's not worth putting bigger valves in a 320i head. Yes, you'll get more top end power at the expense of low speed torque - guess what an automatic needs! If you want bigger valves, just fit a 325i head.

If you've fitted a complete 325i inlet manifold to a 731 head, you MUST open out the inlet ports to suit otherwise you'll have a massive bottleneck - the inlet charge will hit the step where manifold meets head and try to bounce back. It's easy to sort out - use 325i inlet gaskets as a template and open out the 731 ports to match. That will take about 30 minutes with a die grinder/rotary file.

Post Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:23 pm

nzbimmer wrote:Does anyone know the Part number for a Facelift 325i AFM?

My 320i has a 0 280 202 083, but i need the number of the 325i one thanks

I have a 325i AFM that I could post out to you if you are interested. It doesn't have a part number on it but is a known working unit from a facelift 325i.

You can gather the part number info from this website

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

Post Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:57 am

Thanks for the advice everyone,

I managed to find an AFM today, the model was 0 280 202 082, I only paid $40 for it, (about 15 pounds)

This picture shows some of the issue with my current exhaust on my 320i, its a lot worse than what the picture shows, both the back box and middle muffler/cat have alot of rust on them, it sounded terrible too (drone).

Today I purchased a 325i Exhaust from a S.A 325i wrecking due to being crashed, which is in way better condition than mine.

Also purchased a 325i Air flow Meter, as the part number is different to the 320i item, so I thought it was a good idea for when the 2.7 engine is installed.