Couple of 2.7i questions.

[89325iturbo]

I have my parts needed to do the 2.7i.
I'm starting with a 89 325i.
First question which water pump do I use? The one for the E block? Or can a 325i waterpump work? Obviously I'm just sticking with the I radiator.
Second I have to switch the 325i balancer over to the E block so when I put the 325i cps on it will read.
The I starter is find to use right. The E one looks a little bigger, but I imagine it bolts to the trans the same.
Alternators any different?

Thanks I probably have a few other questions in the future. Just didn't really see the answers for these questions while searching. But it may be because either can be used.

[jeffnhiscars]

Im Quite sure you can stick with the e cooling system...at least that's my intent when I do this. As long as your radiator, WP, overflow and hoses are a set (early or late) you should be fine. Keep in mind a late cooling system also has the metal crossover pipe mounted to the timing cover and iirc that pipe will not attach to the stock early timing cover

[89325iturbo]

I have all the I pieces. So can all the I pieces be used on the E block? Water pump, hoses, rad, timing cover then I can use the crossover pipe.

[modernist]

E and I blocks are identical. The I cooling system/water pump will work with the E block as long as it's a complete set. If you're using the I flywheel you should use the I starter. Alternators are interchangeable.

[89325iturbo]

^^^ thanks appreciate it, the answer I was looking for. All my I parts are from an 89.

[ButtJuice]

I just swapped a Super ETA block under my 91' i motor, I noticed that the i harmonic balancer needed to be swapped over, at least in my situation. Keep both balancers handy just incase.

[89325iturbo]

Should I get a cam? If the engine(s) are already broken down, it would be a good time.
After loosing some compression, not sure how the car will feel. Just looking to get a little more bump in hp/tq. The head will be apart to be shaved for flatness.
My budget is getting tight though.
But if I can swing it, now would be the best time.
It would be with a sssquid chip and 19lb injectors.

[acolella76]

Yeah, if you can swing it, now would be the perfect time to add a cam. Bimmerheads has some good deals on regrinds.

[89325iturbo]

Yeah I forgot about bimmerheads, thanks for the reminder.
325$ for a regrind minus 100$ for a useable core.

[digger]

a cam on a low compression engine just robs peter to pay for paul

[89325iturbo]

So should I just skip the E bottom end, and stick with the I engine? To me it doesn't matter if it makes more hp then a 325i with bolt ons. But thought it could potentially make 15-20 more foot lbs of tq.
Say for the regular 325i engine, I go with a cam (280/274) gasket match the intake/exhaust on the head, larger injectors with corresponding chip.
Or I do the same mods, and use a stock 325e bottom end. Overall will it be a worse engine setup? I know the compression will be lower, but does the little increase in displacement make up for the lower compression?
Like I said if I could make similar hp with the same mods, that's fine. As long as there was a little bump in tq.
But if the lower compression takes away some ummph then I'll skip it.
I have both engines in my garage, just want to put the best combination using just those parts in.

[digger]

don't gasket match anything and at most use a 272 with low compression and use the 1.75mm gasket instead of 2.05mm

[89325iturbo]

So 272 cam, no porting work, bolted to stock E bottom end with thinner gasket. Standard gasket is 1.75mm correct?

[dasmanschaft012]

Why would you need the harmonic balancer off the i?
As long as you have a CPS and not the double speed sensors on the bellhousing you should be fine for Motronic

[89325iturbo]

With getting a cam, should I replace the valve springs? I'm going on the milder side for a cam, so I know oem ones are fine. But my head has higher miles, is more so why I was thinking replace?