Alright guys, this is what a eta bottom end and i head gets you.

[E30QC]

hey, something along the lines of running all the electronics and maf asnd throttle body from a 2.5 with the head, someone said that there's extra oil galleys in it compared to the 2.7 litre bottom end? will they mate? it was in a conversation concerning just modifying the 2.7 head with double valva springs and so on... just checking..

[Faviolosky]

the person that owned the car before me had already put the i plug wires and since then i have been breaking my head trying to figure out where that plug on cable 6 connects to:D:D

[jmc1590]

Plug wires = spark plug wires. In particular, you want the sensor that is attached to the #6 lead. Motronic needs this to determine proper injector firing.

[Faviolosky]

ohhh got it, ill be on my way to the junkyard to morrow to take those things, the plug wire is the engine wiring harnes and the round plug correct?

[jmc1590]

eta- i saw a 88 528e in the junkyard, and it has the eta block,885 head(with single valve spring),1.3 motronic, does that mean that it is a UK spec, or that it has the same engine as the super eta

The '88 528e is a Super-ETA. Everything you said sounds right except for the Motronic version. The '88 should have version 1.1 (a 154 ECU, if I remember correctly.)

I believe that the 528e was a US only model. In the UK, it was badged as a 525e.

As far as what to take, it depends on how far you're willing to dig into this thing. The 885 head is identical to the 325i head, but will require a different camshaft and double valve springs. The short block (or a least the pistons) are desireable, in that they match with the 885 head and with the 81mm crank. The wiring harness is much sought after in the E28 area for doing a motronic swap. (Not sure if it will fit the E30 though.) Get the harmonic balancer, CPS sensor and bracket, water pump pulley, and the plug wire harness. If I found a Super-ETA that was in good condition, I'd just take the whole thing!

My .02

[I got it, yes!!]

It can, just not really. I mean it will get there, but really slowly.

On an up hill drive I just took over the pass I was floored in 3rd and I bounced off the rev limiter but didn't even notice since I didn't think I was accelerating. 4th didn't move me any faster. I was only going 75 or so.

Thanks for the help. Looks like I'll plan on using the thinner headgasket plus i head for now.

What the differences between motronic 1.1 and 1.3? Is 1.3 that much better?

Would getting a markd chip effect either the decision between the two, or make a different effect on one versus the other.

Basically, is 1.3 really that much better? IS 1.1 with a chip alright?

This sounds like your clutch is slipping

[Faviolosky]

eta- i saw a 88 528e in the junkyard, and it has the eta block,885 head(with single valve spring),1.3 motronic, does that mean that it is a UK spec, or that it has the same engine as the super eta,

one thing i noticed though is that the manifold was an eta manifold, but everything else was from an I

should i take anything to put on my stock eta???

[dager325]

So if you run super eta pistons you would gain another 30 hp than running the stock eta pistons at alomost 140whp????

[eta]

I have just got back my E28 525e which has the UK spec engine. It now has a stock eta block + 10.2:1 pistons, stock 885 head, motronic 1.3 (which overfuels at idle when cold), 2.5 intake, eta exhaust manifold and pipes, single mass flywheel, manual gearbox and it flies (compared to an eta). CR is ~9.4:1. 30-60mph in 2nd gear took ~5.4 seconds which is not too shabby.

Stick with the stock cam as well. It gives you plently of low down torque which is what you want in the real world. And it gets past 5500 rpm with no problem.

Having tried a 731 head I can say the combustion chambers are too small for the eta block. It bolts up fine an runs fine but chamber is the wrong diameter. The 200 head combustion chamber is similar in shape but larger so how are the CC volumes of the heads the same? I have begun to doubt all the recieved wisdom on 2.7i motors as most of it has been inaccurate or only half the story.

Now for MS and a rolling road set up. What it will produce I don't know. As for an eta not being able to get past 70, change your rear end. My heavier 525e with a 3.46:1 final drive had no trouble getting to whatever speed I wanted.

With Motronic 1.1 just replace your ECU with a motronic 1.3 item it will apparantly work. More recieved wisdom though.

[87e30]

W/ fuel @ $2 a gallon, the chip is worth it. This combo really needs a 272 or slightly larger cam as the extra displacement makes the i cam a lazy rever much past 5.5 K but night and day better than the 200 head.

So the chip will give me an improved "feel" throughout the revs.

And back to 1.1 vs 1.3. I just realized that my car has 1.1, so if I do a headswap do I even need to swap anything electrical? If I get a chip it seems like the car would drive correctly for the headswap.

Thank you greatly for your help. I feel SO out of place when it comes to the engine aspect of the car.

[Mitch M]

I'm not looking for that 3 hp, but did the chip add power and throttle response throughout the revs?

I'm not sure if just the i head will fix this, but my eta just feels sluggish and unwilling to rev or go faster. Despite the fact that it will.

W/ fuel @ $2 a gallon, the chip is worth it. This combo really needs a 272 or slightly larger cam as the extra displacement makes the i cam a lazy rever much past 5.5 K but night and day better than the 200 head.

[87e30]

2 board (1.1) vs. 1 board (1.3) and 1.3 has a few more trouble codes on the 5 stomp test. Stock for stock, some of the Spec e30 guys report more power w/ 153 (1.1) DME.

I've tried two different off the shelf i chips in my 2.7. MarkD and Bavauto. Both only added 3-4 peak hp on the dyno but the Bavauto chip didn't fall off as much past peak.

Good info. So it looks that if I had an early model car, I could just grab the 1.1, the head, intake manifold, exhaust, and bav auto chip?

Then I'd be good to go.

I'm not looking for that 3 hp, but did the chip add power and throttle response throughout the revs?

I'm not sure if just the i head will fix this, but my eta just feels sluggish and unwilling to rev or go faster. Despite the fact that it will.

[Mitch M]

What the differences between motronic 1.1 and 1.3? Is 1.3 that much better?

Would getting a markd chip effect either the decision between the two, or make a different effect on one versus the other.

Basically, is 1.3 really that much better? IS 1.1 with a chip alright?

2 board (1.1) vs. 1 board (1.3) and 1.3 has a few more trouble codes on the 5 stomp test. Stock for stock, some of the Spec e30 guys report more power w/ 153 (1.1) DME.

I've tried two different off the shelf i chips in my 2.7. MarkD and Bavauto. Both only added 3-4 peak hp on the dyno but the Bavauto chip didn't fall off as much past peak.

[87e30]

Your eta wont accelerate past 70? Mine has no problem up to 120, but that's about my limit.

Ah well, listen to Mitch. His motor is very nicely done.

It can, just not really. I mean it will get there, but really slowly.

On an up hill drive I just took over the pass I was floored in 3rd and I bounced off the rev limiter but didn't even notice since I didn't think I was accelerating. 4th didn't move me any faster. I was only going 75 or so.

Thanks for the help. Looks like I'll plan on using the thinner headgasket plus i head for now.

What the differences between motronic 1.1 and 1.3? Is 1.3 that much better?

Would getting a markd chip effect either the decision between the two, or make a different effect on one versus the other.

Basically, is 1.3 really that much better? IS 1.1 with a chip alright?

[rThor432]

I'm just sick of having a car that won't accelerate past 70.

Your eta wont accelerate past 70? Mine has no problem up to 120, but that's about my limit.

Ah well, listen to Mitch. His motor is very nicely done.