Another I vs E Thread.. Sorry

[Cory1970]

Alright, I am trying to determine what engine is in my 1988 325i track car. When I bought the car I assumed it was an I motor, but I soon realized otherwise. I am unsure whether the motor is an I bottom end with an E head or an E motor with an I intake.

Here are the details I have:

Intake and Electronics: I intake and electronics

Cylinder Head : 200, single valve springs

Block / Bottom End: BMW 127892106286 Casting number, 13626120 is stamped just above the oil pan on the driver side (there is only one number in the machined area not two), tooth wheel on the front of the crank with a crank sensor

What other indicators should I use?

[SpecM]

if the cylinder head is a #200, you have an "E" block and head with what looks like "i" manifolds and electronics

[jlevie]

I agree, that is what it looks/sounds like to me. The only way to tell what short block you have would be to have a look at the top of the pistons. If you know someone with a borescope, that could be done w/o removing the head.

[hotballs]

Wow, 200 head? That blows, so you took the valve cover off to verify the single valve springs? Same with the cam? Does it just look like a stock e-head? Have you been revving past 5k?

[digger]

check the engine code on the side of the block

[Cory1970]

Wow, 200 head? That blows, so you took the valve cover off to verify the single valve springs? Same with the cam? Does it just look like a stock e-head? Have you been revving past 5k?

Yes, I actually discovered the single valve springs when replacing a rocker arm. The car fall on its face above 5300, forcing me to keep the rev's down.

[Cory1970]

check the engine code on the side of the block

Apparently there are supposed to be two number on the side of the block, engine code and engine number. There is only one number stamped in the machined area on the side of my block, 13626120. To my knowledge, this number only tells you the engine series (m20), the plant it was produced at, and the day of the year it was produced. The second number, the one I am missing, tells the year, make and model of the car.

I find it very strange that my motor only has one number stamped there.

[StereoInstaller1]

Looks like time to find an 885 head and a turbo.

[Cory1970]

Pictures

I was able to borrow a borescope over the weekend. It was difficult to get good images. Here are the results:













What do you think?

[SpecM]

looks like a flat piston = eta bottem end

and #200 head = eta head

[Cory1970]

looks like a flat piston = eta bottem end

and #200 head = eta head

That is what I thought, oh well such is life.

[e30trooper]

it might be a super eta

88 was the year they did that.
2.7l block with domed pistons
I head but with the Single valve springs and a E cam with the I electronics

All you need todo is just swap the head along with the dme.

[SpecM]

it might be a super eta

its not

super-etas had an 885 head and domed pistons

[e30trooper]

it might be a super eta

88 was the year they did that.
2.7l block with domed pistons
I head but with the Single valve springs and a E cam with the I electronics

All you need todo is just swap the head along with the dme.

its not

super-etas had an 885 head and domed pistons

I know what a SETA is. The only way he has a 2.7 block with dished pistions someone swaped it. There was never a 88 eta. only 325i/is or 325(seta) He said its falling off at 5300 rpms, super eta dme, eta dme is going to fall off b4 that. If it had a "i" dme he would be able to pass 5500 and thus bend valves.

[e30trooper]

Eta's do not have flat top pistons , they are dished