can anyone help ???

[TW166Y]

Ive tried to do a little search for a "good" write up on the 2.7 conversion.
Ive heard there are a few ways to convert and i cant seem to find one...
For someone who knows how to use the search facility a little better than me, could you please be kind enough to ruote a good write up out for me, for me and my machanic to tackle

Many thanks Pete

[Ant]

what method you using Pete ?

ETA + 731 ?
ETA with 885
ETA with 2-5 slugs and a decking with 885 ???

lots of options, hence the lack of a definative write up

[TW166Y]

well mate ive been told to buy an 525 eta bottom end, however its sourcing it and finding a decent enough one. any other parts numbers mentioned above im totally oblivious to mate, not really knowing what i need to sourc at all because i havn't really give the conversion any thought so i havn't bothered reading the write up's.. however now im really eager to see what its all about

[TW166Y]

mainly seeking the cheapest method at the moment ant and then maybe later on i can do it propperly

[jonbuoy]

731 = 2.0L M20 head
885 = 2.5L M20 head (I think)

The cheapest option to use is the 2.0L head because you can just slap it together and chuck it in but with the 2.5 head there are a few adjustment's to sort out, as Ant has mentioned, but you get the best performance from the engine.

The thing is everyone talk's a good 2.7, as i did, but 10% out of 100% do it

Buy this one Pete; Complete 2.7



HTH

[Jhonno]

325i head also slaps straight on an eta bottom end, just with slightly lower compression but still gives more power

[oze30]

325i head also slaps straight on an eta bottom end, just with slightly lower compression but still gives more power

More power than with the 731 head?

[Hyperion]

i believe if you already have m20b20 then the go the route of getting a 525e and do a frankenstein on it. But i have heard that this 2.7 wont rev that high and will put out slightly less power.
(PS i have no experiance with a m20b20 -2.7 conversion and i can be happily corrected)

On another note it would nice if the zone had a definate guide on the ways of doing a 2.7 conversion on a m20b20 and m20b25 engine.

[Geeman]

325i head also slaps straight on an eta bottom end, just with slightly lower compression but still gives more power

Does it? I thought there was a problem with valve clearance with a 2.5 head... If this is the case, why is this not the best "cheap" route to go instead of the 2.0 head...?

Not having a dig at all, just going on what I have heard / researched. Info to the contrary would be great though as it would save messing around with a 2.0 head and matching up a 2.5 inlet system...

Giles.

[TW166Y]

does anyone reckon that the m50 swap would be easier? about the same cost involved but apparently is a better conversion? what we all think? stevetigger said the job cost him 500 bullets all in. if thats the case im well up for doing that as it would be easier wouldnt it surely?

[e30_Turbo]

does anyone reckon that the m50 swap would be easier? about the same cost involved but apparently is a better conversion? what we all think? stevetigger said the job cost him 500 bullets all in. if thats the case im well up for doing that as it would be easier wouldnt it surely?

You might aswell go for the 2.8 as it's easy to get 220bhp+ from them.

Or

3.0ltr m3 lump as they are as hard as nails

[stevetigger]

but them engines cost lots of "Bullets"

[Jhonno]

325i head also slaps straight on an eta bottom end, just with slightly lower compression but still gives more power

Does it? I thought there was a problem with valve clearance with a 2.5 head... If this is the case, why is this not the best "cheap" route to go instead of the 2.0 head...?

Not having a dig at all, just going on what I have heard / researched. Info to the contrary would be great though as it would save messing around with a 2.0 head and matching up a 2.5 inlet system...

Giles.

yes it does, no clearance issues, just slightly lower compression

[Geeman]

So a skimming of the head will get rid of this issue...?

[Demlotcrew]

I would not bother with 320i heads you just wont get the BHP full stop!

DO it properly, look at jimbobs old car made a healthy 200bhp and 200lbft.

I really cant see a ETA bottom and a 320i head making past 170bhp max.

Andrew

[Jhonno]

So a skimming of the head will get rid of this issue...?

yes tho it moves the squish band slightly but should help restore cr a bit

[Jhonno]

I would not bother with 320i heads you just wont get the BHP full stop!

DO it properly, look at jimbobs old car made a healthy 200bhp and 200lbft.

I really cant see a ETA bottom and a 320i head making past 170bhp max.

Andrew

+1

[e30_Turbo]

but them engines cost lots of "Bullets"

really?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-3-SERIES-E30- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-3-0-ENGINE ... dZViewItem

[Jhonno]

Fozz that 1st one is an m30b28 not m52b28

[Demlotcrew]

Yeah right Fozzy try and find a good low millage campaign M52 2.8 with papers for £300.

BMW M3 ENGINE, ITS OUT OF A M REG M3, IVE GOT A VANOS UNIT TO GO WITH IT ASWELL, THE ONLY BAD BIT IS ONE OF THE VALVE IS DAMAGED IN THE ENGINE AND THE VANOS BUT IVE GOT ANOTHER VANOS TO GO WITH IT, ITS A COMPLETE ENGINE WITH THE LOOM AND BRAIN,MY CONTACT NUMBER IS 07772380118

Only good for spares.

Andrew

[e30_Turbo]

Yeah right Fozzy try and find a good low millage campaign M52 2.8 with papers for £300.

Andrew

Who mentioned £300?????

[e30_Turbo]

Fozz that 1st one is an m30b28 not m52b28

Don't splt hairs , 2.8 is a 2.8 but I did hope you guys wouldn't notice that is was a M30

[Demlotcrew]

but them engines cost lots of "Bullets"

really?

Lots of bullets is more than £300 and in your post you implied that our resident M50 master tech/parts sales man was talking rubbish.

Andrew

[e30_Turbo]

but them engines cost lots of "Bullets"

really?

Lots of bullets is more than £300 and in your post you implied that our resident M50 master tech/parts sales man was talking rubbish.

Andrew

And how did I imply that exactly? Or are you reading into it all a little too much..........

Lots of bullets is lots of bullets, could be 100 or 900, so how did I come across as to say he was talking crap?

All I pointed out was there are lumps about for silly money and if you're switched on enough you can pick up a shit box and sort it for little to no cost.

IMO if you're fitting a later 2.5 it would be silly not too see if there were any 2.8's about. The difference in performance and overall power would be worth the extra I'm sure.

Mark.

[leeroy]

731 = 2.0L M20 head
885 = 2.5L M20 head (I think)

The cheapest option to use is the 2.0L head because you can just slap it together and chuck it in but with the 2.5 head there are a few adjustment's to sort out, as Ant has mentioned, but you get the best performance from the engine.

The thing is everyone talk's a good 2.7, as i did, but 10% out of 100% do it

Buy this one Pete; Complete 2.7



HTH

you use a 525ete bottom end a 2.0l cyl head cast 731.you could even do it right by usind a e30 324 deisel cast crankshaft

[Kos]

324 cranks are forged and you have more chance of seeing a rocking horse shit

[Hyperion]

maybe the m50 swap is the way of the furture. i would personally 2.7 my current engine (m20b25). But if it had to go POP i would try to do a m50 swap.

[leeroy]

i can supply you one but it would have to be a complete td engine.

[stuartgallafant]

didnt Alpina use the Eta bottom end and the head off of a 323i for there 2.7?

[leeroy]

if you can get a m52 2.8 engine for 300 pounds ill have 10 of thyem.the 325 m50 engine is only 2 bhp lower than the 2.8.and the m52 is the worse engine bmw eva made.

[Jhonno]

m52 is very restricted.. hardly the worst engine bmw made, my mum has one in her e46.. lightweight is a major bonus

[e30_Turbo]

m52 is very restricted.. hardly the worst engine bmw made, my mum has one in her e46.. lightweight is a major bonus

The 2.8 can make upto 240bhp with only stock parts from other lumps, so I can't see why anyone could say it's a bad engine, they're supposed to love a little boost too

[Kos]

didnt Alpina use the Eta bottom end and the head off of a 323i for there 2.7?

they used the 324 crank, imo the eta bottom end aint up to it, its a low reving lazy engine

[TW166Y]

so am i wrong in thinking that the m50 is the way forward?? it seems to be a good conversion pushing a likely extra 27bhp on a good un.. can that not then be modded further and maybe turbo'd later on in life ???? its a right cheap job too apparently. stevetigger said he did his complete conversion for £500 once he had sold on his other stuff from the donkey engine sorry steve

[leeroy]

m52 is very restricted.. hardly the worst engine bmw made, my mum has one in her e46.. lightweight is a major bonus

i think you mistaken the engine in your mums car is a m54 double vanos.m52 is a single vanos and suffer with nikosil bore wear and unless you can get one with the modified block.i can supply one for 995.00 all in.