Super noobie question

[bernzpeed]

What's the difference between the 87 325i and 89 325i engine?

[slammin.e28]

Nothing. The 87 is just 2 years older.

[jlevie]

There actually is a difference between those two engines. The fuel injector rail and electrical connectors and engine harness are different and the 89 will have "weight improved" (read lighter) pistons.

[nando]

yeah, there are slight differences, but functionally they are identical.

[slammin.e28]

yeah, there are slight differences, but functionally they are identical.

This is what I was getting at. ;)

[SpecM]

the cooling system is different between these two, but all the parts are interchangeable

[bernzpeed]

the reason i'm asking is because i have an 89 325i that needs a new engine and i bought an 87 325i with only 63k miles on it. I have both cars in whole so I maybe able to use the wirings. So what exactly will I need?

[matias88e30]

6 pack... chill, take your time... my its a 88 with a 89 engine.. basically all i used was the 89 ecu, didnt search if it was the same, just swap it.

[jlevie]

the reason i'm asking is because i have an 89 325i that needs a new engine and i bought an 87 325i with only 63k miles on it. I have both cars in whole so I maybe able to use the wirings. So what exactly will I need?

Use the engine from the 87 and the wiring harness from the 89. Replace the water pump on the 87's engine with the later one and steal the cross over tube from the 89.