eta question

[mentaleeill]

i recently bought a 88 325 for a daily driver. the question is, how do i know if it is an eta or a super eta? reason being is it is an automatic($600 i wasn't being too picky) but it is quick as hell for being an e, it actually is faster then a 90 i that i test drove. but it definately has a 2.7. can i decode the vin or something?

[Digitalwave]

Not even a super eta should be able to hold a candle to an 'i' car.

[mentaleeill]

im not saying it will beat an i all they way through the rpm range, but definately till 70. just curious if it is a super or not. i owned a regular e that was 5 speed and it was slow as shit, this 1 is alot different. maybe some kind of internal work, but everything else is stock.

[Digitalwave]

I could see an eta taking an i to 5, maybe 10mph, but not an automatic.

New car placebo?

[MR 325]

If it's an 88 and it's not a "i" it is a Super Eta.

Does the tach go to 6k?

[PanamaE30]

Maybe you just drove a really shitty i?

[MR 325]

Quote from www.strictlyeta.net

In its final year, the 1988 325 (dubbed "Super Eta" by enthusiasts) was equipped from the factory with a 325i cylinder head, unique pistons, 325i exhaust system, and Motronic 1.1 engine management control, which bumped horsepower up to 127 and raised the redline to 5500 RPM. (An easy way to spot a Super Eta is its telltale 6000 RPM tach.)

[mentaleeill]

got a 6k tach and redlines at 5500. maybe the i was really shitty and it was an auto too. dont care regardless just curious to what this 1 is. honestly they all seem slow next to my m50 powered 89 anymore. thanks for all the input.

[Il Duce]

maybe you're getting fooled by torque...

[MR 325]

6k tach + 88 325 = you have a super eta... problem solved

[bkelsey86]

put an I top half on that bitch quick.

[clutterbucker]

Isn't any '88 325 a super Eta? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they made the regular Eta in "325" form.

[Old'n'Slow]

Isn't any '88 325 a super Eta? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they made the regular Eta in "325" form.

Yes. If it was built after 9/87 it's a Super eta. They ain't all that slow. Problem is, since there weren't all that many made, nobody does a chip for them, which, I would imagine could improve things quite a bit. The ingredients are there...but they're set up for good fuel economy-they run lean. Remapping and a hotter cam could fix it....custom chip group buy, anyone?

I will say one thing in favor of the Super Eta...at 90MPH it's only turning 3000RPM and is sitting right on top of the torque curve. Max torque of 170ft lb is achieved at 3250rpm. It's faster from 80 to 100 than from 60 to 80. AND I get about 30mpg average when I'm not "in a hurry"! :) Also, these motors have a reputation for loooong miles. 300K ain't uncommon.

[Digitalwave]

Well my torque peak is 4,300 RPM, and thats right about where I am at 90mph, difference is give me 500 more RPM and I am making more power to the wheels than your car is making to the crank :)

[Fred]

Isn't any '88 325 a super Eta? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they made the regular Eta in "325" form.

Yes, you are wrong. The 325 model ran from 1986 to 1988, but only in its final year was it a Super Eta.