What are some desirable 323i engine parts?

[markt51]

About to return my 323i engine for a core charge, and im in the process of taking things off. Other than the aluminum engine mount arms, distributor, and the lightweight flywheel, what are the other parts i should take off to sell? mind you i need to return the engine for a core charge, so the intake manifold, block, and head need to go to the yard. Timing belt broke on this engine, and its super toast on the inside. Like exploded/cracked pistons toast.

Whatever i pull off this engine will go for sale soon. So either help me out on what to keep, or let me know if there is something specific you want. Once i get a nice little pile ill make a FS thread.

Oh and then engine is from an e30 '83 323i and it was a manual.

[SkiFree]

Upper timing cover and valve cover are worth hanging onto. Distributor is also worth hanging onto.

[flyboyx]

Upper timing cover and valve cover are worth hanging onto. Distributor is also worth hanging onto.

why?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Because someone that goes to megasquirt or other aftermarket control systems can replace the distributor with a CPS easily.

[Hooffenstein HD]

why?

No hole for cam mounted distributor in the B23 timing cover.

Not sure why you'd want a mechanical dizzy though, unless you planned on carb swapping an M20.

[M-technik-3]

Foe someone else that has a worn out distributor. They are not common in any stretch in the US.

[LJ851]

why?

323 cool stuff reasons.

1) valve cover is sleek with no lumps or bosses cast in.

2) flywheel is single mass and light (12-14lbs)

3) upper timing belt cover is smooth and solid with no motronic dist cap mount/hole.

4) conventional distributor is uncommon and desirable if you need one.

5) euro

[lukeADE335i]

Not sure why you'd want a mechanical dizzy though, unless you planned on carb swapping an M20.

Easy & cheap LPG conversion :p

[markt51]

thanks for the replies so far. I started taking the engine apart last night. Turns out the timing belt didn't break, just a piston exploded lol. I know this because one of the freeze plugs is missing, and a chunk of piston was removed from the opening. So head looks great inside. The 731 head will be up for grabs as well pending the rest of it looks good once removed from the block.

[Sirotto]

Keep what good pistons you have. A small bump in compression for the 323

[HennaE30]

What are some desirable 323i engine parts?

Not meaning to thread jack but what are the differences between the 731 and the 885 head? I know the 731 came on the 320 and 323, and the 885 came on the 325i, but what is the physical difference (bigger ports, etc) and also is there any power gain from a 731 over an 885 head?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hooffenstein HD]

Not meaning to thread jack but what are the differences between the 731 and the 885 head? I know the 731 came on the 320 and 323, and the 885 came on the 325i, but what is the physical difference (bigger ports, etc) and also is there any power gain from a 731 over an 885 head?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Different ports, valves, cam and combustion chambers. #885 should also have dual valve springs but so did the late model (motronic/facelift) 320i #731. Early model 320i and 323i only have single vale springs.

[HennaE30]

Different ports, valves, cam and combustion chambers. #885 should also have dual valve springs but so did the late model (motronic/facelift) 320i #731. Early model 320i and 323i only have single vale springs.

So I'm assuming the 885 makes more power than the 731 because of the bigger ports and stuff?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[meengreene30]

I'm running a port matched 731 head with a 272 cam, HD rockers, markD etc. etc. I can tell you it's a good time.

[HennaE30]

I'm running a port matched 731 head with a 272 cam, HD rockers, markD etc. etc. I can tell you it's a good time.

I was thinking of running a decked 885 head with 288 cams, HD rockers, a chip and tune on my eta, to make a 2.7i motor


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk