Differences between Super Eta 885 and 325i 885?

[AC_Schnitzel]

Looking to do this swap pretty soon. I have an 88 325 super eta, and don't know if I should buy a complete 325i head, or just source the cam and dual valve springs.

From what I understand, the 885 head on the super eta is missing several oil galleys in 2 cam journals. Is this a big deal?

Looking for somebody who has done this specific swap.

Let me know what you think!

[ForcedFirebird]

Camshaft and inner valve springs are all that's different in the head. The 200 casting was not drilled for the 3 extra cam journals (four bearing cam), AFAIK the 885's all use 7 bearings.

You will also want to change the intake manifold, throttle body and ECU from a 325i to take full advantage of the new parts.

[digger]

i always thought it needed the holes drilled. i never seen a seta cam to know if it is 4 or 7 journals this might be one http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showpos...6&postcount=16 but not sure

http://spece30.com/forum/46-oiling-system/80659-885-head-oiling-differences

[ForcedFirebird]

Every seta cam I have held had 7 bearings (half a dozen or more).

[2mAn]

Easy way to figure this out is if he pulls his valvecover off for us and takes a pic, right?

You will also want to change the intake manifold, throttle body and ECU from a 325i to take full advantage of the new parts.

I thought you had dyno'd a bunch of different combos and the eta intake manifold port patched was the best?

[M-technik-3]

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/differences.html

[ForcedFirebird]

Easy way to figure this out is if he pulls his valvecover off for us and takes a pic, right?



I thought you had dyno'd a bunch of different combos and the eta intake manifold port patched was the best?

He has the proper pistons by having a seta, so the complete "i" is best for that rotating assembly. If he had flat top pistons (any other eta besides 1988), I would suggest the eta manifold and "i" TB to keep the TQ eta-like while gaining the HP from a swap.

Either way, the seta manifold (basically eta with the ends opened) is the worst of them all. ;)

[jeffnhiscars]

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/differences.html

Theres always someone causing trouble w actual facts

[AC_Schnitzel]

So I guess what I'm asking is -- is it important to have the extra oil holes? Or can I just drop a 325i cam, and dual valve springs and call it a day? (as far as the head goes... I'm aware I need everything on the intake side as well + ecu).

[jeffnhiscars]

I'll say you need the holes and if the head is off its no big deal to bore them. Why risk it for all the work you're doing

[2mAn]

Has anyone tried to get an eta cam reground?

[ForcedFirebird]

JP, cam should drop in with no additional work.

Simon, don't think it's worth it when you could just start with a better stock cam.

When the cam is out, the holes are easy to drill, but again, the 885 head has a 7 bearing cam (just eta lobe profile), and we are all talking about it for no reason. :/

[digger]

the cam bearings are supposed to pressure fed, which matters more when you are turning more rpm and using a more aggressive cam, relying on a pool of oil at the bottom of the bearing is not as reliable which seems like a risk for basically no reward. it doesnt make sense to not drill the holes when its such an easy job

conflicting info about SETA cam

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showpost.php?p=205655&postcount=6

[ForcedFirebird]

conflicting info about SETA cam

I have seen a couple of instances on the internet, but have done this very swap many times, and have never seen a 4 bearing 885 in an e30 (not to say that they don't exist).

The seta cam has a very similar profile as the eta, I didn't measure much more than lift, though. I once used a seta cam in a 200 head with the dual valve springs in a race car. The rental drivers kept breaking valve-trains with over-revs on a purely eta engine (they needed to stay in a class). So, a seta cam drilled for the extra passages, 325i inner springs, and b25 cam gear setup seemed to do the trick.

[wilholl]

FWIW, I have a 4 bearing 885 head on my Seta motor currently.