325e head swap? [Archive] - Bimmerforums

masterman56

11-09-2011, 10:05 PM

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forums, and i just got my second e30. Its a 1986 325e. I got the car for a really good price and the guy that had it did not really know about the car, so i didn't get any info about it. I noticed that i can go up to 5500rpm and it did not even red line, and there was no limiter. So i swapped in a 7k rpm tachometer from a 318i, and i drove it and i went all the way to 6500rpm. does this mean i already have a head swap from a 325i? or i may possibly have a 325i motor? how can i find out?

Thank you

Helion42

11-10-2011, 11:45 AM

It more likely means that someone swapped out the DME (computer) from an 'eta' to an 'i', removing the redline. Or it was chipped.
If it's had a head swap or is an 'i' engine, see if the intake runners on the car are long and straight on the valve cover side and the tubes have some room between them, or if they curve back a ways and the tubes are thicker and closer together. If it's the thicker tubes, it's an 'i'.

acolella76

11-10-2011, 11:49 AM

look on the intake side of the head there should be a casting number. Look at the last 3 numbers... if it is '200' its the 325e head if it is '885' it is the 325i head

Oh adn post a pic of the engine

masterman56

11-10-2011, 02:04 PM

So i checked the block and it said 2.7 eta.. then i checked the head and the last 3 numbers were 200.. :(
but the ECU was stock but i put in a chip but it would only increase the red line to 5500 rpm.

masterman56

11-10-2011, 02:16 PM

Here are better pictures:

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g389/weresari/Marilyn/IMG_20111110_104636.jpg
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g389/weresari/Marilyn/IMG_20111110_104645.jpg

thejlevie

11-10-2011, 02:41 PM

You may have a cluster (or cluster coding plug) for a four cylinder engine. In which car the tach will read 1.5x times higher than actual.

masterman56

11-10-2011, 02:56 PM

Dam... Hahaha.

How do I find out if I have the plug in?

thejlevie

11-10-2011, 03:54 PM

That depends on what cluster you have. The early clusters have a "key like" coding device that plugs into the back of the cluster. Late clusters have a small white plug on the lower right side of the cluster. In either case there will a part number on the device.

masterman56

11-10-2011, 04:45 PM

i know what your talking about, but i know for sure i dont have either of those keys in the back of my cluster

thejlevie

11-10-2011, 05:29 PM

i know what your talking about, but i know for sure i dont have either of those keys in the back of my cluster
Then the cluster will have the rectangular white plug in the lower right front.

masterman56

11-10-2011, 05:34 PM

ohh, i know what your talking about.

so i have to swap that out with a 318i or 325i so i can get the readings right?