I'm new but i don't know what i bought ...

[Slick92GS-R]

first of all .. i must say that if not for the info on this site, i may not have fallen for this car so hard ... I'm a Honda Guy tru & tru.. that won't chnge!! hell, look at my screen name .. but, i may be smitten. we'll see!!

Ok. i've bought a 1987 325 looks alpine white/coupe/5spd.. $450. new tires on bottle caps, new brakes all around, 3 shocks chnged recently..
the previous owner crept onto a curb of some sort and busted the oil pan then proceeeded to drive home .. uh huh.. the motor is locked.. save the rust on the rear taillight & some on the sunroof. the body is str8 ..seats are kinda trashed and power windows need work ... i'm stoked -- this will make a great SCCA car.. strip & clean, tune and suspend.. i'm goin' racin folks ...
so my dilemma..
i've searched & searched and i know its a M20 but is it a 2.7 or a 2.5?.. according to the info that i've gathered, in 1987 the 325 was the base model, should carry an ETA right? ok easy, its a 2.7.. yeah its 122hp cuz its not set up to R3V past 4500rpm.. easy to id.. uh oh .. this manufacture date says 3-87.. its says 325 on the back. checked the VIN and get conflicts some say 2.5 some say 2.7 .. but wait, it has a 7000 tach .. WTF?.. how can i look at the MOTOR and see what i have ..?

[Slick92GS-R]

[Slick92GS-R]

[Slick92GS-R]

[Slick92GS-R]

[Ducati]

YAY! Me and you have the same car! I'll be honost, although I can't mod it up to the way I want, these cars have great potential. Good luck with modding it. Do you think you can get some interior pics?

[Slick92GS-R]

-- good we can monitor each others progress.. for interior pics .. i've have some by weekend .., nothing to see really .. seats look broken and the car smells like cat piss... so if we have the same car do u know if its a 2.5 or 2.7 ?

[EtaSport]

Post a picture under the hood?

It says 325e on the sticker, but it does have a 7k tach. I believe it is an eta that someone swaped gage clusters. So unless there was a motor swap, m20b27 is my guess.

[Slick92GS-R]

Post a picture under the hood?

It says 325e on the sticker, but it does have a 7k tach. I believe it is an eta that someone swaped gage clusters. So unless there was a motor swap, m20b27 is my guess.

sure--i'll get a daytime pic of underhood..

i've thought of that gauge swap possibility..
let me ask . can i not look at the engine block somewhere to determine if its a 2.5 or 2.7 ?

[PeaveyBassist]

Look at the valve cover. If it says BMW on it, its the 2.5. If it has a small roundel at the front near the radiator its a 2.7.

Will

[Slick92GS-R]

Look at the valve cover. If it says BMW on it, its the 2.5. If it has a small roundel at the front near the radiator its a 2.7.

Will

:crosses fingers for a BMW sign:..

i gotta wait till morning ..

[Slick92GS-R]

damnit.. i'm gonna check now ....

[Jordan]

its a m20b27. Standard issues economy eta motor.

Someone swapped a i tach/cluster into your car.

[Slick92GS-R]

looks like a roundel -- mid valve cover ... about 6" from oil cap... no other block markings i can use huh ?

[RCWells]

I'll tell ya what you bought. You bought a moneypit. We all have them. We all love them. Save your money, spend your money, just make sure to enjoy the ride along the way. Welcome.