Not sure whats in my e30 help!!

[norwood e30]

The motor in my car isnt original i been all over different fourms websites and ebay the numbers i found on the block 1278 921 280 87 i really hope that helps i miss driving this car so if anyone can help i would really appreciate it thank you.
norwood e30

[Vivek]

Post a picture and use punctuation please. Do you have any idea what is wrong with the car?

[dnguyen1963]

He did have a period at the end.

[norwood e30]

^^^ lmao

[SpecM]

a pic will help

[norwood e30]

Sorry about that. My car is a 1989 bmw 325i and the original motor that came with the car was blown. NOw the engine the car is from a e28 528 the year i believe is 1988. Im trying to see if it is a eta motor or a seta. So i can make sure i have correct wiring parts ect.

[SpecM]

if it is indeed an engine from an 88 528e, it is a super-eta. electricly speaking, the wiring/sensors are the same. 99% of the standard replacement parts likely needed for repairs are the same too.

[norwood e30]

Now the problem Im having is that i can crank the car but it will not turn over. The engine wiring harness came out of a 1989 325i auto/transmission. My car is a standard transmission. I also Have two Ecu's

1.computer: bosch 0 261 200 173

2.computer: bosch 0 261 200 153

[jlevie]

Those are DME's for an M20B25 engine.

[SpecM]

^ but they will run a s-eta just fine

[norwood e30]

@ specM I just came from outside see what cylinder head was on the block.
cylinder head: 05 885

[norwood e30]

This has has to be a super eta motor

[SpecM]

This has has to be a super eta motor

yep

[jlevie]

While some things suggest that this could be a SuperETA, I would not go so far and to say that it has to be. Without certain knowledge of the car the engine came from and what might have been done during the swap, you can't say exactly what is in the car now. External evidence may help, but you'd have to see the piston tops and measure the stroke to know if the short block is a SuperETA.

[norwood e30]

@jlevie I went on ebay to see if they had a similar motor. And the cylinder head matched mine. And the first 7 numbers on block matches my block 1278 921 it was a long block that fit following bmw


1988 - 1988 BMW 325 2DR (E30) Single overhead cam engine
1988 - 1988 BMW 325 4DR (E30) Single overhead cam engine
1988 - 1988 BMW 325e 2DR (E30) Single overhead cam engine
1988 - 1988 BMW 325e 4DR (E30) Single overhead cam engine
1988 - 1988 BMW 528e 4DR (E28) Single overhead cam engine