What Would You Do??? {Engine Option Help.....}

[D///M3]

I just got a compete '88 325iS as a parts car w/ 137K & 5 speed trans. I have been contemplating engine swapping/ stroker motor ideas for a while~

My '85 325e (slushbox) has 162K on it, runs, drives perfect. The head was rebuilt about 10K miles ago. I, one day would like to swap a 5 speed trans in it along w/ a stroker motor-

Question is.... Should I swap in the complete 325i motor (It would be rebuilt), wiring harness, DME, trans, etc (essentially the whole enchilada...) or build a stroker motor w/ the "e" & "i" parts {what exactly would be involved with that- different pistions, etc???}

Don't get me wrong, the 325e is fun to drive as my daily driver, but from getting out of the M3 into the ETA.......

Please guys, give me your honest opionions :woowoo:

Thanks~

[e9nine]

Drive the eta as it is now. Take your time to build the 325i motor to spec and drop it in. There are a few threads on the 2.7i on the board and you can check out www.strictlyeta.net for some tips. You can still enjoy a stock 2.5 with some petty mods...its all about what kinda pep you want. It will never equate to your m3 so I'd say just to make it "peppy" enough to not feel like a dogg :D

[randomtask37]

It will never equate to your m3 so I'd say just to make it "peppy" enough to not feel like a dogg :D

i feel the same way, but if i were in your shoes (and i had the money) i think it would be fun to build the stroker so u can have a sleeper and an "everyone knows im fast" car.

although if u dont go that way, just swaping the whole 'i' into the 'e' would be a good choice.

[ColdAccord]

I'm recently going through the same exact thing. I have an 87 325e, and just bought an 88 m20b25. I was gonna just slap in the m20b25, but i figure while it's out, I might as well. check my posts, such as "am i doing the right thing" and "wtb: euro eta pistons"

there have been a lot of goof replies on that topic on those links

[D///M3]

Thanks guys- I think that's what I'll do...... Drive the Eta motor & get the 325i motor apart & to the machine shop for a nice rebuild- {possibly a Schrick cam?} The one good thing about swapping the "I" motor will be the 5 speed trans, a NICE change from the eta auto slushbox.

Thanks for the link E9nine- nice website!!

Thanks
Guys!