NOR-CAL General Chat.

[Cabriolet]

Thanks for the recommendations on the machine shops. While getting the head ready to take down to Robello racing, I noticed the rocker nicked the cam lobe also so I just bought this complete head off Ebay.

Think this was a good buy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Cylinder...461820&vxp=mtr

why do people post adds like that. a simple easy to read text would make me not hate them.

Dont buy it. he did not machined. the valve seals were not replaced. it's worth $200 tops in that condition. *ALL heads must be resurfaced before installing* it only takes 3/1000" for it to leak.

i have an 885 that if you are gonna rebuild would be fine. still attached to a running engine. for $150 or you can have the whole engine for $250

[BlackbirdM3]

Thanks for the recommendations on the machine shops. While getting the head ready to take down to Robello racing, I noticed the rocker also nicked the cam lobe so I just bought this complete head off Ebay.

Think it was a good buy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Cylinder...461820&vxp=mtr

How are the valve seals, seats and guides? Sure it came off a running motor, but that means nothing. You might as well send it out and have it refreshed so you don't have to do it again.

Will

[YosemiteSam]

epoxy primer usually isn't very good at filling in cracks, you might want to do a bit more research on that

Ok, The diy he wrote up isn't terribly clear. I'll read through it again and see if I can figure out what he did.

[WarHammer 2/1]

why do people post adds like that. a simple easy to read text would make me not hate them.

Dont buy it. he did not machined. the valve seals were not replaced. it's worth $200 tops in that condition. *ALL heads must be resurfaced before installing* it only takes 3/1000" for it to leak.

i have an 885 that if you are gonna rebuild would be fine. still attached to a running engine. for $150 or you can have the whole engine for $250

I didn't think it was a big deal since the engine it's going on has 230,000 miles on it but I'll cancel the order since its not worth the price.

[Cabriolet]

I didn't think it was a big deal since the engine it's going on has 230,000 miles on it but I'll cancel the order since its not worth the price.

all m20b25s are dead at 230k.
get new rings, bearings, and have a head refreshed. there's not reason to put a fresh top engine on that. it's like putting a bandaid on a severed arm.
a total refresh can be done for ~$1500 and give you more power than you would ever guess

also valve seal MUST be changed if the head has been cleaned/tanked. you wont pass somg bc the car will smoke.

[Thizzelle]

my car has 250k and it runs fine, it's my DD pile so I don't care much about it and an 'E'

[Cabriolet]

my car has 250k and it runs fine, it's my DD pile so I don't care much about it and an 'E'

Will, there is a huge difference between an E and I in terms of wear. i've seen etas well into 350k before showing signs of wear. the I however, the bearing and rings are always toast at 200k. not to mention what the valves look like.

gary can attest to the difference. we took out his 250k motor and dropped in a 50k motor and it was literally night and day between the power differences. It's easily a 10% power difference. and this is comparing identical m20b25s

[WarHammer 2/1]

Will, there is a huge difference between an E and I in terms of wear. i've seen etas well into 350k before showing signs of wear. the I however, the bearing and rings are always toast at 200k. not to mention what the valves look like.

gary can attest to the difference. we took out his 250k motor and dropped in a 50k motor and it was literally night and day between the power differences. It's easily a 10% power difference. and this is comparing identical m20b25s

Is that due to the higher rpm's the I engine can hit?

[Cabriolet]

Is that due to the higher rpm's the I engine can hit?

basically yes.

full rebuild:
an eta can go 350k
an I can go 250k
an S14 can go about 150-170k

this is the same reason you dont run a sport bike engine more than about 50k.


Im sorry but i sold my 325i so you cant drive a fresh car. and my s14 is nearing rebuild at 123k and my wife's project car isnt done yet (3 weeks)

[wilholl]

Thanks for the recommendations on the machine shops. While getting the head ready to take down to Robello racing, I noticed the rocker also nicked the cam lobe so I just bought this complete head off Ebay.

Think it was a good buy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Cylinder...461820&vxp=mtr

You could just do this??

http://www.bimmerheads.com/

[blacksteel]

all m20b25s are dead at 230k.
get new rings, bearings, and have a head refreshed. there's not reason to put a fresh top engine on that. it's like putting a bandaid on a severed arm.
a total refresh can be done for ~$1500 and give you more power than you would ever guess

also valve seal MUST be changed if the head has been cleaned/tanked. you wont pass somg bc the car will smoke.

What do you mean by total refresh..total rebuild?


What's an m20 rebuild costing these days?

[WarHammer 2/1]

basically yes.

full rebuild:
an eta can go 350k
an I can go 250k
an S14 can go about 150-170k

this is the same reason you dont run a sport bike engine more than about 50k.


Im sorry but i sold my 325i so you cant drive a fresh car. and my s14 is nearing rebuild at 123k and my wife's project car isnt done yet (3 weeks)

Hmm I wonder if its worth swapping my 150k eta shortblock into the new car. I would lose a 1/2 point of compression but I would get more miles out of it.

Btw this car to me is just a DD and that's about it. I don't want to get too deep into it cuz the money is better spent finishing my cobra and '66 mustang.

You could just do this??
http://www.bimmerheads.com/

Yea I've seen their site. Very nice products but I wasn't looking to spend damn near $1000 on a stock head for this car.

[blacksteel]

Also..anybod here adjusted their valves before?seem straightforward but time consuming?better to have somebody do it? Who's good in the San Jose area for e30 service repair?

[kronus]

it's easy, takes half an hour. there are numerous DIYs online.

[WarHammer 2/1]

Also..anybod here adjusted their valves before?seem straightforward but time consuming?better to have somebody do it? Who's good in the San Jose area for e30 service repair?

Just did this about a month ago. Super easy, here's a write up on it:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E30-Valve_Adjust/E30-Valve_Adjust.htm