E30 all new- won’t rev past 3-4-5k depending on CKP adjustments

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  • Rutech13
    Noobie
    • Mar 2026
    • 2

    #1

    E30 all new- won’t rev past 3-4-5k depending on CKP adjustments

    Hi everyone.
    I got 88 325e with 325i engine/harness/ecu/dash in it .
    I got this car in barely running condition but after a full ending rebuild,new head was also installed .
    im fighting ,what seems to be a simple problem at first ,a nightmare if my days .
    Car will not rev past 3000 rpm,no matter at WOT or half throttle or even driving. All kinds of test and swaps and new parts done to it-nothing.
    But here is a catch that stomps me . If I go and adjust CKP bracket all the way out and put few shims under sensor ,it brings me way out of recommended specs,but-car will rave up to 4000-4300 now-if I mess with it more I can achieve 5000-5300 but in that condition it takes more that 5 seconds of cranking to start it .
    With that said-least start a discussion so I know what info y’all would want me to provide .
  • Rutech13
    Noobie
    • Mar 2026
    • 2

    #2
    I’ll throw out here what have been replaced:
    4 ecu’s(all kid of numbers)
    4 CKP sensors (2oem ,1hella,1chinise)
    FPR (oem was good but I still put hella I believe )
    3 fuel pumps ,all tested good (bosh oem in it now)
    2 TPS (oem and hella) both tested as they should
    3 AFM -all tested perfect but still swapped it
    Harmonic balancer
    CKP sensor braket
    Coolant temp sensor ECM side
    plugs
    3 engine coils
    vlaves adjusted
    fuel drained and refiled before pump replacement
    Bosh fuel filter
    ICV was good but still cleaned it just to make sure .
    Grounds and powers are secured
    alternator puts out 13.5 at idle
    fuel pressure 38-42 psi at idle,45 ish at WOT
    Fuel delivery 30sec/30oz

    Got no stomp test on any of those ecu’s but connected the scanner and got no codes .

    Comment

    • It's Soda Not Pop
      E30 Modder
      • Jan 2022
      • 871

      #3
      Which DME's did you use? (meaning 173, 525, etc.) Stock chips in the DME's? Did you replace the cap and rotor? Does it break up at 3k rpms and then keep trying to rev past that? Or does it stop there like it is the limiter?

      I was having issues awhile ago with my car. It would buck and misfire bad underload around 3k-4k. I went with a standalone with LS coils from ClassicDaily. All my problems went away. I replaced everything similar to you and I kept having the same problem. I believe it was in the ignition somewhere. Either way I went standalone and didn't look back.

      Check you plug wires and make sure that the crimp hasn't come loose. I had bad wire one time that looked fine at a glance. But the crimp on the inside was bad.

      88' Seta 2.7i Zinno

      https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...430-my-88-seta

      Comment

      • tomstin
        E30 Addict
        • Mar 2015
        • 556

        #4
        Have you tested all the circuits back to the ECU (continuity)? There is a connector under the intake on the "I" engines that is notorious for corrosion, make sure all those connections in that connector are clean.
        2004 525i Manual - 1985 325E Coupe Manual

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