2.7i experts needed

[aeryk7]

My friend is in the process of doing the 2.7i swap . The 2.7i was in a plastic bumpered 90 325is that was running and purchased by my friend . My friend pulled it and put it into an 88 325e . The problem here is everything is hooked up right but there is a short. A wire on the main relay is smoking its red/yellow wire. Is this because of a compatibility issue. Will he have to put the SETA wiring harness onto the 2.7i to make it work with the 88 325e chassis. Everything looks like to be plug and play but we are having this issue. I have looked at many wiring diagrams and dont see a red yellow coming out of the main relay WTF is going on .....

Cliffs:
-325i head on top of a 2.7 block came from running 325i 90' (plastic bumper)
-Using 173 ecu from 325i along with harness
-trying to swap in 88' 325e and having issues....why?

[Sean]

What's the manufacurer date inside the door of the 88 325 (no 325e's were made in 88, sure it's not just a 325?)

You got me slightly confused too. You say you put a 325i head on a 2.7 block that came from a 1990 325i? For God sake - that doesn't make sense!?

Set me straight here, and I might be able to help.

.....What were the pistons like in the block?

[aeryk7]

Production date on the 325e is 5/88

My brother put the 2.7 block under an i head on a 90' 325is awhile ago for his friend and the car was basically a daily driver .His friend sold it to my friend who now swapped that 2.7i into his supposed 88' 325e but he is having some wiring issue.

[Sean]

And you're using the same wiring harness in both cars? (or the other car used the same one?)

You definitely have an 88 - and if you're using a 173 ecu, the 325i harness should work perfect. I'd make sure he didn't snip a wire somewhere and it's grounding causing a short or something. It should be working just fine.


NOTE: I did the same thing in my car - hell my harness was the later style - but I used a 325i harness with a 173 ecu and my rebuilt 2.7i budget stroker - no issues at all. Check the wires again.

[aeryk7]

Yes he swapped the whole engine complete wiring harness and ecu into an 88 e

[aeryk7]

Thanx for the help

[aeryk7]

The problem is the ABS i believe, the newer harness(1990) has that red/yellow jumper underneath the main relay. Anyone have insight?

[Sean]

The engine harness shouldn't have anything to do with the ABS....?

[aeryk7]

http://www.wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1990%20BMW%20325i%20Convertible%20Electrical%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf

That is a wiring diagram go to page 37 he says that red yellow one is smoking keep in mind it is a smaller gauge than the others so really that red white could be shorted and the small one is just not handling the heat being that it is connected in the circuit loop

[kenika65]

Your getting way to in to this, the e30 wire layout is not that complicated.

Which ever wire is burning or smoking or overheating, cut it and unhook the battery if necessary.

Then get a test light and see which side of the wire is hot or has power. Fallow both ends of the wire to where they go and 9 or of 10 times you will find your short or problem.

So let me get this straight you have a super eta and you took it out to put in a eta bottom end? If so do you still have your old 88 m20? If so can I buy it?

[aeryk7]

The engine was pulled because of either a bad ring or a leaky valve guide seal it smokes when sitting at lights. I havent seen the car since the swap

[kenika65]

Well if your buddy still have the 88 325 m20 please let me know I am interested in it. thanks