Is it a 525e engine?

[Bailey]

Hi all, bit of a head scratcher regarding the 525e engine and the 2.7 convertion. Now i know that i need the 525e bottom end, and my 325i head and pistons, but how can i tell if the engine i have is a 525e? i took it from an f reg 5 series, but i couldnt tell if its the original engine or not. I have had the head off before, and noticed that the valves in the 5series head were much smaller (my 3 series were much bigger) , and the pistons were just flat headed ones (as suppose to my 3series ones which were scooped out to allow for the valves). I actually bought this engine as a quick replacement while i rebuilt my original, but i'm hoping i might have landed on my feet and bagged a 525e by accident. hope this all makes sense to someone . Any help would be great. Cheers, Guy.

[dazleeds]

i dnt think the 525e went to f reg did it??

also im pretty sure a 525e head has 2.7 stamped above the exhaust manifold on side of head

[wullie325i]

hi

im not 100% sure but the m20 engines are stamped to say i.e 2.0 or 2.5 ect so im guessing the engine in the 525e would be the same but i could be totaly wrong.

wullie

[Templ8e30]

Have a good look at the engine number (inlet side of the block where the sump/block mating point is) it should have 27 6E B or similar stamped directly above the engine number if it is indeed a 525e bottom end.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Bailey]

Cheers for the help you guys, i'll have a look tonight if i get chance... fingers crossed

[Geeman]

Bailey... where in Grimsby are you...? Can come and have a look at it with you if you want!

Giles.

[Bailey]

well, to be honest i dont live there n e more... i'm nearer louth, in a place called saltfleetby.... (the sticks, as you townies call it ) but if it does turn out to be a 525e, i'll might be in need of some help if you interested? i'll keep you posted

[Geeman]

Mum and Dad live in Welton le Wold, other side of Louth...

I've had two 525e's recently (they went a couple of months ago) and now have an E30 and an E38, with another E30 coming to Louth at Brock AutoSports in the form of my old 318iS track car... so Cadwell will be home to the old girl once again!

Keep me posted though!

There's an E30 meet at Ferrybridge this Sunday, but I won't be going as I'm picking up the 318iS from Hertfordshire this weekend.

[Bailey]

I'm still looking, but for some reason, the number has been ground off. All i've got is 0 x x 75874 (the x's are where the grinder has been) and then above 6 B E A on my block so far It does say 84 and then the diameter sign, so should i just assume correct? Like i said, flat pistons, 84 on the side, oh, and this number on the top near the head 1278921 051. any ideas? Cheers for all the help so far peeps, Guy.

[Templ8e30]

Could you post us some pics ?

Cheers,

Iain T

[Bailey]

i will do as soon as my mum comes back with my camera... she's borrowed it for a couple of days. I'll put some up asap. Regards, Guy.

[Geeman]

Guy, there's a track day on the 18th at Cadwell. Just an evening session, but my 318is track car will be there. If you fancy coming to watch, just turn up and look out for either my E38 7 series, or the Silver 318iS...

Giles.

[Bailey]

Yea sounds cool mate, i might show my face unless my missus has already made plans for me! Arnt there rather large speed ramps into caddy? if so, might not be in my beemer...
Does it cost much to get in? last time i went was for the bikes, and it was bout 25squid, oh, and what time does it kick off? Cheers, Guy.

[Geeman]

I'll be there about 5ish... and it's free to spectate a track day session. The whole track is hired, so no worries about entrance fees fella.

Can't remember about speed bumps, but I wouldn't have thought so as how do they get some of the racers in...? I didn't have a problem with my car at all...

Maybe see you there then.

Giles.

[Bailey]

As promisesd, some pictures of the engine no.

http://myspace-579.vo.llnwd.net/00939/9 ... 4579_m.jpg

http://myspace-001.vo.llnwd.net/00939/1 ... 2001_m.jpg

Cheers, Guy.

[Bailey]

actually, i dont think those pictures are much good coz there a bit on the small side... i'll try and blow them up a bit if i can. computers are crap

[Bailey]

all i've got is x x 6 E A,
and then below that 0 x x 7 5 8 7 4 ( the x's are where the grinders been)

doin my head in!!

Cheers all, Guy.

[Templ8e30]

all i've got is x x 6 E A,
and then below that 0 x x 7 5 8 7 4 ( the x's are where the grinders been)

doin my head in!!

Cheers all, Guy.

Sounds a bit like a hot engine to me, why else would anyone deface the numbers with a grinder.

The only way to tell for sure is to strip it.

Cheers,

Iain T

[boomer]

all i've got is x x 6 E A,
and then below that 0 x x 7 5 8 7 4 ( the x's are where the grinders been)

doin my head in!!

Cheers all, Guy.

Sounds a bit like a hot engine to me, why else would anyone deface the numbers with a grinder.

The only way to tell for sure is to strip it.

Cheers,

Iain T

If the engine has been rebuilt/re-manufactured by a commercial organisation don't the numbers get ground off by them?

[Bailey]

Thanks for all the help guys, o.k, so it might have been obvious to some , but wanted to be dead sure before i got busy with the tools!

All i do know is that its really slow and about shagged (got burnt off yesterday by an old 4pot e34 !!! (gutted!) 2.7 is top of the list now, that was the final straw! I'll keep you all posted on how its going, no doubt i'll need a bit of help along the way .

Cheers, Guy.

P.S, hopefully see you tonight Geeman.

[Templ8e30]

If the engine has been rebuilt/re-manufactured by a commercial organisation don't the numbers get ground off by them?

I wouldn't have thought so, it's illegal to alter the identity of the engine block same as it's illegeal to alter the VIN number.

Q plated vehicles have different rules regarding VIN numbers though.

Cheers,

Iain T

[boomer]

If the engine has been rebuilt/re-manufactured by a commercial organisation don't the numbers get ground off by them?

I wouldn't have thought so, it's illegal to alter the identity of the engine block same as it's illegeal to alter the VIN number.

Q plated vehicles have different rules regarding VIN numbers though.

Cheers,

Iain T

Hmmmm,

Maybe the rules have changed then.

I always gave my engines new ID numbers after I rebuilt them - on the basis that I wasn't passing them off as something else. Always told the DVLA as well.

Still, not to worry - don't want to go any more off topic

[Geeman]

Well, I met up with Guy at Cadwell Park on Tuesday night and I'm afraid I was of no help what-so-ever. The numbers were difficult to see and had been distorted with a grinder in some places.

He complained of a distinct lack of performance, relating to me how he'd been embarrased by a 4-pot E34. (but keep that to yourselves) Needless to say that we all think that this is not an M20B25 anymore. It idles fine and sounds okay, but I think that this is 525e with standard 525e head, but with a 325i inlet system on it. This could result in the poor performance.

The block is an 84mm bore, but has flat-top pistons... which points towards being a 525e lump.

I think it's probably just better sticking in a replacement M20B25 for the time being and then taking the offending engine out, couple it to a 320i head and hey presto, a 2.7 donor! The money spent on it wouldn't have been wasted afterall!!!

Giles.

[Geeman]

Guy... heres a head to put on your 525e block to make it a decent 2.7 dude...

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... 065#403065

Hope this is of some use for you!

Giles.