HELP!! Possible 2.7 engine and 325 head

[Aziz]

Hi

I just bought a engine which I think is a eta its stamped 2.7

I think its from an eta but aren't sure if it pre 1988 or post.
I have take the numbers off the block if any one can tell me what they relate to. As follows:

2.7 BMW 1278921 (30F83)

Also I was told the haed if from a 325 how can I distingush if its a 325 or 320 the only numbers I can find on the head are:

10/01 which are located just under the left side of inlet manifold and

705885 which can been seen though the centre of the inlet manifold near the top of the head.

I haven't take the head of the engine yet.

Can someone put me out of my misery and give me some info as I may have been stung ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Imran

[Martinaston]

885 is the 325 head.
Where is the stamp that says 2.7 ?
And what does it go like ?

[bottlecapE30]

your should be able to tell by the intake manifold if it looks like this it is pre 88 ETA


if it is post 88 eta it should look like this

[bottlecapE30]

I just noticed i have no pictures of a post 88 ETA well it should look like a standard 325i manifold

[Aziz]

Hi
The 2.7 stamp looks genuine it raise will all the numbers & letter identical as below.
Its below the inlet manifold side of the block closer to the front of the engine just above the alternator housing.

any ideas

2.7 BMW 1278921 (30F83)

Imran

[Geeman]

If it's a UK unit, it'll be pre-88 as there were no Etas made for the UK after '87 (we only got the E28 525e over here).

HTH

Giles.

[Martinaston]

If it's like this then i'd say yes. This one's an 83 and has the big core plug on the rear face.

[Aziz]

Yes mate

It is like the one in your pic.

Is it advisable to recon the engine and head.

What sort of bhp would I expect ?

Will it go straight in to my 1987 325i Sport.

Or will I have to make any changes.

[Templ8e30]

Hang on a cotton picking minute, eta's ceased production in december 1987 so they are all pre-88.

What you need to know is whether it is high compression (pre december 1986) or lower compression (post december 1986).

The pre 12/86 engines have a large core plug at the gearbox end of the block and have 11:1 compression ratio.

The 12/86 onwards engines have no large core plug, they have the lower 10:1 compression ratio.

The rumour of the early engines having narrower main bearing caps is a load of old bull, they all use standard M20 bearing dimensions.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Aziz]

what do you mean core plug?

what am I looking for?

what does it look like?

which side of the gear box?

[Martinaston]

you said your's is numbered 30F83
83 is the year, it should also be stamped on the crank. it could be fine but the only way to tell for sure is to pull it apart. for all you know it could have been bored out to a 2.8
but if you do that you'll have to find a new 2.8 gasket which won't be cheap.

If you plan on putting it in a car as it is then its a bit hit and hope unless you pull it to pieces and replace whatever needs doing but the price will start to add up pretty quick.

Did you hear it running before you bought it ?

[bottlecapE30]

Hang on a cotton picking minute, eta's ceased production in december 1987 so they are all pre-88.

What you need to know is whether it is high compression (pre december 1986) or lower compression (post december 1986).

The pre 12/86 engines have a large core plug at the gearbox end of the block and have 11:1 compression ratio.

The 12/86 onwards engines have no large core plug, they have the lower 10:1 compression ratio.

The rumour of the early engines having narrower main bearing caps is a load of old bull, they all use standard M20 bearing dimensions.

Cheers,

Iain T

i think that this came from the US market ETA's as it seems to be the case here. I would have liked to get a hold of some of those 11:1 pistons as my 2.7 converstion only have 9.2:1.

[Aziz]

I am going to take the head off today.
I did hear it running but it was in a auto.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[Martinaston]

This is the old core plug on the back of mine.
They all had to be replaced as the thing had been pretty badly neglected when i got it.

[Templ8e30]

Hmmmmmm, don't know where my post went !?

Yes ^ that's the core plug on the earlier high compression engines.

Where's the 'yeah that ^' smiley gone ?.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Project_E30]

Is it better to get a pre or post 86 then if were fitting a 2.5 head??

[Templ8e30]

Is it better to get a pre or post 86 then if were fitting a 2.5 head??

Because the 2.5 has more volume in the combustion chambers the 11:1 compression ratio on the early engines will make a more responsive engine.

The later engines work well with the 320i head as it has the same combustion chambers as the standard 525e head.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Aziz]

Thanks guys

My block has the 11:1 comp ratio has the core plug

I've striped it down, but am not taking the pistons out any suggestion on best way to de carb the pistons.

Also I am completley striping the head what do you recommend for a better cam shaft and what sort of money am I looking at

Imran

[chu346]

Temple where did you get the info on the c/r's of 11:1 and 10:1 cause that's what i've heard somewhere but Lentec thinks different and I've seen this which states otherwise Click here!

[Templ8e30]

Temple where did you get the info on the c/r's of 11:1 and 10:1 cause that's what i've heard somewhere but Lentec thinks different and I've seen this which states otherwise Click here!

I got my info from my friendly local dealer, the guy in the parts department is into older beemers and has kept all the info on stuff like this.

Cheers,

Iain T

[chu346]

Well what do you think to the link I posted, i'm a bit confused.

[Martinaston]

I'm not too sure that link's accurate
I think the 325e cc is wrong and the max tourqe on the 320 comes in a bit before 4k rpm (not sure, i'm half asleep)

[Templ8e30]

I'm not too sure that link's accurate
I think the 325e cc is wrong and the max tourqe on the 320 comes in a bit before 4k rpm (not sure, i'm half asleep)

Agreed, there's quite a few errors on that link

Cheers,

Iain T