"Eta" to "I" Head swap questions

[Pdxseth]

That's the answer I was looking for, thanks

[Pdxseth]

Is all this work really worth it? From what I've read it's like +15-20 hp and a 20-40 torque loss

Since I'm halfway into this I'm going to finish it. But seeing how this won't give me as much power as I thought. What would I gain by having the head ported and polished,bigger cam(not sure what I should get) , headers-2.5" exhaust and a chip. I'm fine with doing this stuff and I don't want to go turbo if I spend any more money on it I may as well swap something else in.

[MR 325]

We've built a 2.7i using the Eta bottom end and one of our Myster-E 885 heads.

That thing (along with i management and a 3.73 LSD) pulled like a damn freight train.

People don't give the combo enough credit. The particular engine we build would easily pull on a M20B25.

[MR 325]

Without throwing a sales pitch too hard here... We have 274 cams for sale for $250 shipped. Check the Parts FS section. :)

[Chriskbmx]

what do i use the copper spray on? why do i use it? and how would i go about using it the right way?

[ohthejosh]

How does this swap affect smog #s? Just asking for the sake of the CA folks.

[MR 325]

what do i use the copper spray on? why do i use it? and how would i go about using it the right way?

I usually do 2-3 coats on each side of the head gasket. Easiest thing it to hand it with a coat hanger.

How does this swap affect smog #s? Just asking for the sake of the CA folks.

Will still pass with no issues if it's running good and has a nice cat.

[JasonBates]

So I got my hands on an 885 head, and I was wondering how I should go about cleaning it and checking for anything that might be wrong with it.

Any ideas or tips?

[TheTacoMan]

So I got my hands on an 885 head, and I was wondering how I should go about cleaning it and checking for anything that might be wrong with it.

Any ideas or tips?

Take it to a machine shop and have it checked for a warp or cracks in the head. If you dont do this, you can run into alot of major issues.

[JasonBates]

Okay, I can and will do that.
Is there anything I should look in to replacing or upgrading while I have the head off?

[MrNatural]

"Eta" to "I" Head swap questions

depends what you do. I'll tell you what, my car gained the skill to chip tire shifting into 3rd gear after the headswap and a 3.73

I have yet to be or drive another e30 that could do that.

Mine will do it after the swap. I didn't do the 885 I did a euro 320 head. It's the 200 casting with i cam and dual valve springs. Unfortunately it's leaking oil so I may have to pull the damn thing. Not sure if it's a bad hg or not...

[JasonBates]

More questions.

So, I'm doing a five speed swap the same time I do the head swap.
I just need to know which drive shaft and other components I need to use with the transmission.
I'm using a 325i transmission, going in to an early sedan.

I need to get this going, the auto is starting to go out on me.

[Pdxseth]

Late model or early model? I would probably start a new thread for this

[JasonBates]

Late model or early model? I would probably start a new thread for this

The car is early and the trans is from a late model.

I kind of don't want to start a whole thread for something like this, but I might.

[e30trooper]

So, I'm doing a five speed swap the same time I do the head swap.
I just need to know which drive shaft and other components I need to use with the transmission.
I'm using a 325i transmission, going in to an early sedan.

I need to get this going, the auto is starting to go out on me.

Depends on the year of the trans. The 86/87 etas had the larger flex dish. Im assuming you would need a matching driveshaft.

Pull the driveshaft from the same car your pulling the trans from.