Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: 325E to I head swap, question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Stuart Fla
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    86 BMW 325e, 91 BMW 325ic, 08 Chevy Trailblazer

    325E to I head swap, question

    Will the head from a 86 325E fit a 91 325i? Thought I just had a bad head gasket but it turned out to be a cracked head.
    Thanks for the help
    Craig

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    1,360
    My Cars
    89 325i Touring
    Yes. But why would you do that. ETA head is completely different combustion chamber design, smaller intake ports, 4 journal cam and single valve springs. Would not be ideal for an I at all. It would restrict everything to being an ETA, If not worse.

    Get another I head.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Sid Knee
    Posts
    1,329
    My Cars
    325is, 96 M3 Euro
    it won't work unless pistons smashing into the head counts as working

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    1,360
    My Cars
    89 325i Touring
    Oh yeah true, 325 pistons lift above the block, where as normal ETA ones are flat.

    Scrap what I said above then, except the part where I said get a I head.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Stuart Fla
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    86 BMW 325e, 91 BMW 325ic, 08 Chevy Trailblazer
    Thanks for the quick reply.
    I have a 325e I could get the parts from if they were compatable.
    I'll start searching for a replacement head.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    snellville, georgia
    Posts
    743
    My Cars
    1986 325es
    i'm guessing the timing belt broke so you prolly got a few more problems with it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Warrington,Pa,Usa
    Posts
    987
    My Cars
    1985 335e, 1979 528i
    Quote Originally Posted by kcjg8 View Post
    i'm guessing the timing belt broke so you prolly got a few more problems with it.
    i dont think he said anything about the timing belt. he said he was doing a head gasket and found the crack thats all...

    Need Illustration or Design work? www.robbiebyerly.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    snellville, georgia
    Posts
    743
    My Cars
    1986 325es
    Quote Originally Posted by RickSloan View Post
    i dont think he said anything about the timing belt. he said he was doing a head gasket and found the crack thats all...
    don't cracks in the head come from timing belt breaking? i guess i misread somewhere

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Warrington,Pa,Usa
    Posts
    987
    My Cars
    1985 335e, 1979 528i
    no they can come from a number of things, over heating and other stresses are the normal culprits

    Need Illustration or Design work? www.robbiebyerly.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Stuart Fla
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    86 BMW 325e, 91 BMW 325ic, 08 Chevy Trailblazer
    Yes it is just a cracked head. I picked up what I thought was a good deal on a 91 vert. My daily driver was a 86 325e. I know most of the engine parts would not be compatable but there was always hope. I'll be driving the E just a little longer.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •