I head swap

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  • bcusitsjeff
    Advanced Member
    • Mar 2012
    • 145

    #1

    I head swap

    Today I got a 173 dme and wire harness off a 90 325i at the junkyard today. I was wondering, would I be able to swap the head into my 85 eta without changing the intake manifold and stuff?
    I know I'd have to modify my fuel rail a little but is that all?
  • camip
    E30 Fanatic
    • Nov 2011
    • 1253

    #2
    Without changing the intake you would get any gains from the head.

    Comment

    • jlevie
      R3V OG
      • Nov 2006
      • 13530

      #3
      You will need to install the I head, intake/throttle body, AFM, engine harness, CPS, injectors, FPR, and DME.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

      Comment

      • bcusitsjeff
        Advanced Member
        • Mar 2012
        • 145

        #4
        damn, i guess ill just wait till friday to swap my head then.

        would i need to swap the distributor also?

        Comment

        • jlevie
          R3V OG
          • Nov 2006
          • 13530

          #5
          Originally posted by bcusitsjeff
          would i need to swap the distributor also?
          No, but you will need I ignition wires.
          The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
          Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

          Comment

          • bcusitsjeff
            Advanced Member
            • Mar 2012
            • 145

            #6
            damn i didnt get that when i picked up the stuff today

            Comment

            • MR 325
              Moderator
              • Oct 2003
              • 37825

              #7
              I hope the head you're installing has been pressure tested and resurfaced as well.
              BimmerHeads
              Classic BMW Specialists
              Santa Clarita, CA

              www.BimmerHeads.com

              Comment

              • bcusitsjeff
                Advanced Member
                • Mar 2012
                • 145

                #8
                the guy at the machine shop said it was fine. soo hopefully everything goes smooth. thanks for your concern though...

                Comment

                • jlevie
                  R3V OG
                  • Nov 2006
                  • 13530

                  #9
                  I've yet to see a used head that didn't have some warp. So I always have a light surfacing cut (~0.005") done. And I'll break down the head, have the valves ground, and install new seals. The shop I use has a cam profiler so the cam gets check for wear and buleprinted or replaced.
                  The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                  Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                  Comment

                  • bcusitsjeff
                    Advanced Member
                    • Mar 2012
                    • 145

                    #10
                    he did do a vaccum check and that tested out fine. and he did do a light surface cut.
                    but other than that he told me the head looks fine. so hopefully all really is well.

                    if worst comes to worst and something happens to the motor ill probably just junk the motor and put in a m50 or something. lol.

                    Comment

                    • e30trooper
                      R3V OG
                      • Mar 2009
                      • 11576

                      #11
                      Your harness is NOT plug and play. GL bro..

                      Comment

                      • MaksV
                        E30 Enthusiast
                        • Oct 2010
                        • 1042

                        #12
                        You should also buy some rebuilt 19# injectors from me to go withthe head swap.
                        CHEAP REBUILT INJECTORS




                        Need Quality Brakes? BimmerBrakes has it!
                        For anything Else go with BluntTech!

                        Comment

                        • bcusitsjeff
                          Advanced Member
                          • Mar 2012
                          • 145

                          #13
                          besides connecting it to the fuse box and bridging wires for the OBC what would be different?

                          ive read strictlyeta's guide over and over hoping i can get this whole thing done in a day. lol.

                          as for injectors, i have 6 that i took from the junkyard. just gotta clean em out.

                          Comment

                          • MR 325
                            Moderator
                            • Oct 2003
                            • 37825

                            #14
                            The 85 Eta doesn't even HAVE the round plug that the 90 harness has. You need to make an adapter.
                            BimmerHeads
                            Classic BMW Specialists
                            Santa Clarita, CA

                            www.BimmerHeads.com

                            Comment

                            • e30trooper
                              R3V OG
                              • Mar 2009
                              • 11576

                              #15
                              Originally posted by MR 325
                              The 85 Eta doesn't even HAVE the round plug that the 90 harness has. You need to make an adapter.

                              Comment

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