Super eta stroker

[v8fc3s]

Please forgive me for I have done my research but have read too many different things and am currently mentally fried. I own an 88 325 (super eta); just recently a good friend of mine told he is planning to junk his 91 e34 525i (automatic). I plan to buy it being that it has some goodies we might as well keep within friends reach rather than have someone get it off the junkyard, but my main question is, will this be an ideal doner car for a stroker setup? I understand that I need the whole upper end (intake, head, injectors, computer, possibly headers, etc.)

2 questions that come to mind at the moment are:
-I have read that the difference with the eta and the super eta is that the super eta has special pistons to accommodate for an 'i' head and valves which is what comes on the super eta, but with a different cam and valve springs. If that is true, I could just replace the whole head with no problems correct? Or should I just replace the cam and valve springs on my factory head?
-Also, is the computer of an automatic car the same as a manual? The e30 is manual, but the e34 isnt. Any other things to look out for that are different other than the computers?

Aside from the above mentioned, if there is anything that this car might not include that I may need, or just another common speed bump that I might run into, please let me know. This is my daily driver and I would rather go into the job knowing whats coming and not be carless for a week or two. Lol, I have heard that strokers make good reliable power and have always set out to make one and here is my chance.

Thanks for your help everyone; I really and truly appreciate it. Any other questions I get along the way I will post on here.

[Myster-E]

Yes you can swap an I head directly onto the super eta bottom end and yes the auto and manual ECUs are the same.

[v8fc3s]

Perfect! Is it worth me doing the headers?

[MR 325]

You won't see much gain from aftermarket headers without supporting mods like a cam, porting, MAF conversion, etc.

You'll love that Super Eta with the i head on there though!

[v8fc3s]

Thats the plan! Lol, while I have the doner car taken apart and mine still in tact I might port the head if I get a decent price. Should be a great little car if all goes well by the time I'm done with her. Thanks again for your clarification guys! :D

[ForcedFirebird]

The super e already has an 885 head, the cam is different.

[MR 325]

The super e already has an 885 head, the cam is different.

And valve springs are different.

[ForcedFirebird]

And valve springs are different.

Yes. Just stating the fact that the seta already has an "i" head. No need to get a whole new head when you can just swap the cam and springs.

[mcr_driver]

Swapping the cam and springs may be more work then just simply swapping the entire head out however.

[v8fc3s]

^precisely! Lol, I'm getting a whole doner car so its not like I'm buying the whole head. Also, I know the head on the e34 is pretty fresh because he had to replace it a few years ago

[CptnVortex]

You'll like the difference for sure... The extra 1000rpm is fun :). I personally went with 19lb injectors, Miller PSIK Maf kit, and a chip from Millar tuned for the 2.7i 19lb combo. It really feels fantastic to drive!

[whodwho]

Yes. Just stating the fact that the seta already has an "i" head. No need to get a whole new head when you can just swap the cam and springs.

And possible needing oil passages drilled ;)

[v8fc3s]

Possibly needing to drill passages if which route is taken? Yeah, for now Im just going with an ordinary or "factory" stroker if you will eventually I plan to do bigger injectors with a chip, intake and exhaust of some sort, maybe a cam eventually... etc.

[carfantiti]

You need to change all the top end parts to do the complete swap

[ForcedFirebird]

And possible needing oil passages drilled ;)

Yeah, if you get one of those rare 4 bearing heads you managed to find :p

My seta had all the bearing bosses in it, and the seta cam.