Complete "e" to " i " engine swap ?

[robmespeedy]

ok guys i need help ! My Car is a 1985 325e
i just purchased a m20b25 (325i) motor , but i need some info

How do i get it to work on my car ?
i already have the full exhaust system !
but as far as electrical , what do i need ?
i need the ecu right ! but will it plug into my original harness ?
and what about my instument cluster the original one reads 5k rpm .

[rs4pro3]

You will have to rewire the c101 connector, search on here about the m10 to m20 engine swap I've posted the wiring there. You'll want to swap instrument clusters

[robmespeedy]

im not doing an m 10 to m 20 conversion !

my car already has a 6cyl eta engine 2.7

im going to put in the 2.5 L

[rs4pro3]

The wiring is the same, your 85 has a Rect. c101 plug where as the 325i has a round plug. So you need to convert the wiring the same as you would do with swapping a 6 cylidner engine into a 318i

[rs4pro3]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6125

there is a link, I know exacly what your talking about, as I've done the same swap. Just trying to help.

[DSchultz325e]

make sure you read what james said because i posted misinformation. ;)
a complete writeup on the swap is detailed on www.strictlyeta.net

[James Crivellone]

make sure you replace a VDO cluster with a VDO, and a motometer with a motometer. they don't interchange.

a complete writeup on the swap is detailed on www.strictlyeta.net

THey are completed interchangeable,


VDO and Motometer used the same designs when building the clusters.


Pre Coding Plug cluster parts are interchangeable with VDO/Motometer, same with later coding plug models


the only difference is that you cannot use a Coding plug SI Board, Tach, or Speedo in a non coding plug cluster and vise versa

[robmespeedy]

Correction :
Earlier i asked if i could use my original harness , well the motor was delivered to me yesterday and i found out that it is complete with its harness and Ecu and ect.

[rs4pro3]

Ya and I and eta harness are completly different, about 90 percent of the sensors are different also.

[george graves]

Use the I if it looks like it's in good condition.

[chrisd]

I am starting to collect parts for this swap myself - rescuing another e30 from the living hell that is "eta".

Here is the needed parts list so far: (mostly stolen from Fred)

engine with exhaust / intake manifolds
i wiring harness:
main harness connector (= c101 connector?)
ECU connector
ECU (preferably a 173?)
idle control valve (or delete it)
air flow meter
oxygen sensor
oil cooler with lines
i or better exhaust
gauge cluster
rear main seal
clutch kit:
pressure plate
throwout (pilot) bearing
3.45 or 3.75 limited slip diff
water / radiator hoses
fuel lines
urethane motor mounts
flywheel - lighten it while the whole thing is apart
motor oil
trans.fluid
diff fluid
coolant

I am considering modifying my own eta cluster with a digital tach and shift LED since that's pretty cheap. Please help me complete the list!

[chrisd]

bump since I need help pretty soon...

[robmespeedy]

hey anybody live in So. Cal.
theres a shop in west covina called speedomotive they do a stage 2 complete port & polish for $300 bench flowed and everything .
Very Very Profesional shop !!!!