2.7i Pros and Cons

[stormtrooper15]

The benefits are that once you turbo the car, it's going to make an ass load of more torque. e.g. Me.

The cons are you're probably not going to turbo your car.

I would absolutely love to boost the car but unfortunately small college kid budget. For now anyways.

[stormtrooper15]

This car is a project car for my senior year of college so as far as skills and time wise, I will figure out how to do as much as possible by myself.

[stormtrooper15]

The priority currently is a small budget while I'm still in school. Since the car is not currently running properly I am looking to get it running with reliability (N/A). I came across a deal where it would be cost efficient to buy the 2.7 bottom end package instead of risk the current 2.5 crank or cylinders being scored. However is the 2.7 bottom end is not beneficial then I would simply rebuild and possibly have the 2.5 machined if it is that bad.

[george graves]

I'm all for building up a motor - that's awesome. But there are times "upgrading" to different motor just makes sense.

There are so many factors that go into picking a motor or even building a motor. No one can tell you what's right for you. Fuel economy? Boost potential? Budget? Old school vs new school? Do you have a small or large budget? How's your skills? So many of those you've got to figure out. Or at least post up so we can put our 2 cents in.

[whitebulat22]

A standard 2.7i can be expected to make the same 2.5 power with a bit more torque, custom tuning will make a great all around package. In your situation i'd consider a 2.8 stroker with m52 crank, 2.7 rods and 2.5 pistons, reason being that the higher displacement and compression will work better with your cam. Or turbo the 2.7, it'll go and sound like a plane before takeoff.

[EatsHondas]

So an 2.7 with low boost would be the tits?

Yeah you could say that!

2.7 Turbo Acceleration

[crappycoco]

So an 2.7 with low boost would be the tits?

[ak-]

The benefits are that once you turbo the car, it's going to make an ass load of more torque. e.g. Me.

The cons are you're probably not going to turbo your car.

[stormtrooper15]

I currently have a 89 325i with the m20b25 and aftermarket cam of which I do not know the specs. The rod bearings and possibly more are worn out. I may have the opportunity to pick up a 2.7 bottom end (block, crank, bearings, pistons, etc) and I am curious to know what benefits I would reap and what I would lose? I have been reading some and seems with the I head and 2.7 bottom end I would gain low end torque and lose hp. How would the aftermarket cam affect that guessing that it is a 288/288?

Any advice would be great, thanks!!!