Gaskets which to use..

[Mako18]

I recently aquired a 94 m50b25 I am going to replace all the gaskets before she gets dropped into my e30. What I am consdering is buying a complete engine gasket set off ebay for $150 and discard the valve cover and head gaskets. I will use only oem for these ...


What are you guys using? Are there any other gaskets to be concerned about that are prone to fail?

[matt]

None of the gaskets are prone to failing, honestly. The valve cover gasket is probably the most likely to leak, but a little RTV will fix that right up.

[FredK]

Does the engine NEED a new head gasket? If it is fine, I'd leave it alone!

[PiercedE30]

If anything, replace the oil filter housing gasket.

[Mako18]

Yea. I am going to do a leak down later this week then I will start buying what I need. I just like to get a game plan. Plus its easier to do it all at once on the engine stand instead of doing it in the car, nothing like a bad oil leak when your 30+ miles from anything enjoying the back roads. <-- thats 1 reason I now have a 87 Toyota Supra (turbo).. dumb friend wouldn't fix a minor leak that eventually became a huge leak and costed him a 4k engine build lesson learned from the grandstands.....oh well car is mine now...being built correctly..

[matt]

Is that an HP2 sport in your avatar?

[Mako18]

Yeah its one sexy beast!! Its on my list ...well after some form of SM (prod a DRZ400sm) for the adventures around town and through the woods..

[matt]

The shop I work for sponsors Nate Kern. I have a DVD of him doing about 5 qualifiying laps around Barber on one, shot by the Speed cameras before the last Formula Xtreme race. It's definitely a badass bike.

[Mako18]

OK I got a little confusion to clear up. I have a 94 m50b25 (vanos).

The harness I am getting is from a 96 525i & the ecu is missing. What ecu do I use, the marron 413? From what I have researched the harness should work with my engine! (confirm?) but I have also read I may have issues with a harness adapter such as AKG's because a 525 harness its a bit different from a 325i harness!?!?!?!.WHY?.... I have researched but it seems a little confusing I am getting conflicting answers.

Hopefully someone knows...I am going to pick up the harness now.

[matt]

There was no '96 525... Production of the e34 525i stopped in 12/95 and production of the e39 525i began in 04/00.

If you have a '95 525i harness, you need a silver or red label 413. Silver label will need a new chip.

[Mako18]

Yeah its a 95 I got my cars mixed up.

[Mako18]

ok and now just for shits and giggles. which is better/less work to use a 525 harness or 325? I assume the 325 but since its going into a e30 now it might not make a difference. Whats your thoughts?

Later down the road I do plan on a turbo growing somewhere under the hood. I want to make sure I can encompass my future needs. Useable power will be the goal! not peek power/dyno queen

anyway back on the off topic..hahaha.

[matt]

There are tradeoffs. I dont remember all the specifics since I've never seen them both together. I may have both laying around the shop right now though... I will look Wednesday.

[Mako18]

sounds good. I didn't get the 525 harness I ran out of time and they wanted to go home..all I needed was 10 min it would have been out...Can I cut the harness that goes to things like headlights and stuff I wont need? The e30 is wired so much nicer very user friendly...damn e34/e36...