E30 Engine Swap! 2.7L eta to 2.5L 'i’ How -To

[@EricNomads7]

That “I” head with “E” block stroker would be nice to watch. Especially since I know of the conversion but never actually SEEN it done.

[@maxlambert6587]

would be cool to see some dyno numbers vs a normal "i" aswell

[@venerated]

I wanna see this as well!

[@DERRICKK72]

I want to see it as well

[@egjr2722]

I want to see it as well

[@andregross7420]

Lots of people do it, but its really best to use a custom piston with the conversion if keeping it NA to up compression.

[@fabien1446]

This channel is a must for bmw guys. Very good info and details.

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Thanks man, spread the word.

[@psavel274]

Not only is it good information for someone who is learning these cars (I've been working on these things for close to 25 years and I'll always be learning something,) but the "camaraderie" and content is funny as hell. Seeing shit like this is what makes me love the whole BMW and BMWCCA community. I've met some great people and enjoyed our conversation when we all share a common love for these cars. Turning wrenches together= brotherhood.

[@NoeCuevas__]

thank god i found this video. just pulled the my eta motor off my 1984 e30. U basically go everysingle step. good shitbro mad props.

[@andrewchambers2473]

This is my car. I bought it shortly after you made this video and I can’t tell you how helpful it has been to have some baseline info on the engine. Just today I found myself wondering “I wonder when the timing belt was replaced?” and here it is!

[@Zirushi]

Congrats on 5k, waiting for 10 soon 😁 Learned quite a bit 👍

[@nsheehy9953]

Nice work as usual. Keep the e30 videos coming please Thanks

[@DamienArmijo-wr8lp]

Currently putting an 89 I engine into an 86 es I have the engine harness from the donor car and everything seems self explanatory, but my main concern is even tho the c101 from I harness connects easily to c101 on the body, the I has more pins than e. Is this an issue?

[@TEXASTHORIN]

I'm here for y'all always. Cheers boys 🍻

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Cheers man!

[@bryantmatthews93]

So I have a 1988 528e but also have a 1989 525i I cant take the b25 head and put on the b27 block it wouldn't touch?

[@elijahdangrow3324]

I know this is kindof late post, but I would love to see the Franken stroker!

[@radb0253]

You guys could post content about anything and I'd still watch it 😉 Subs climbing steadily now though 😎

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Thank you

[@Santi-ld9rc]

This video helped so much, did my own swap to 2.5L, thanks for dropping knowledge guys. Cheers!

[@savantart]

Super eta video would be tight.

[@Triiodide1]

Fantastic info in this video, keep up the great work guys! Awesome step by step Will, looking forward to the following videos!

[@andrewg2322]

In the process of doing my e30, tons of useful knowledge on this channel subbed

[@ИоаннПервый]

Cheers!) 😊😂👍 🍻🍻🍻 Nothing is better than drinking beer with friends in the garage with E30 😍😊👍😎

[@reeewhydoihavetochangethese]

"Thank you for subscribing 5000 times" was funny to me for some reason. I'm not a morning drinker but I'll rip a cone to that.

[@masscomnet]

I have an 86 ES. I'm planning using the ETA bottom w/ late B25 pistons and 885 head + intake. Twin scroll turbo, water methanol injection and megasquirt. No intercooler. 9.4:1 compression.

[@garagefabroart]

Your "how tos" are pretty amazing. Watched every second and I dont even have an E30. Please please someday do a similar swap to an E24 , E12 or E28 and document it just like this. Would love to learn more since I'm debating to pull the M30B32 and get it ready for boost , maybe M54B30 swap , or go crazy with an M60 swap in my series 1 E24. Looking forwards to future content.

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

I'd be more than happy to. However because I cannot afford to buy all the parts for every video request, sometimes I have to wait until I get a commission for a particular build or swap. But I listen intently to you guys! -Will

[@garagefabroart]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL Makes complete sense. Just out of curiosity how much would it cost to swap my E24 (E12 bases early car) with a M60/M62 + 6 speed (ballpark price)? Maybe someday my car could be the guinea pig.

[@ayeeidkmusic]

I have i head from a 1990 e30. I may do this along with my 5sp swap in my e28. Question tho, I read that pre-88 eta’s requires you to drill a hole in the i head, is that true???

[@ShakeNBlake509]

can you use the clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, trans from the "E" motor on the "I" motor?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Sure can

[@ShakeNBlake509]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL I appreciate it, I’ve been getting some mixed info from the internet unfortunately. Just picked up my dream e30. 1989 325is and looking to manual swap it. I have the getrag 260 from an “I” car and clutch, flywheel, pressure plate from an “E” car. Just wanted to make sure they would mesh together

[@JpSierra-g7k]

Curious what bolt size were used to mount the engine to the engine stand?

[@andregross7420]

Bit of a note on the cylinder heads. They are very different castings, and the 200 cannot be entirely converted. The 885 has a more hemispherical combustion chamber design and larger intake ports along with bugger valves. The 200 head is designed for a dished flat top piston, and the ports are smaller to improve flow at lower RPM's. The super eta head is an 885 head setup like the 200, with single springs and (dont quote me) a cam that uses fewer cam journals.

[@napoliansolo7865]

Good to know. I'd like to use the eta cam in my es. Although my es head has twin valve springs. The block has es cast into the side of the block so I know it's not an i swapped motor.

[@andregross7420]

@@napoliansolo7865 you'll have to check the casting number on the head. It'll say 731, 200, or 885

[@914sam5]

I would like to see a full detailed video of a 2.7 early model block car E30 with the late model 2.5L Frankenstein top end swap. Please I have the complete 2.5Li top end 885 head with i intake manifold and throttle body. I’m missing the harness and the front crank sensor and crank pulley it reads off of. Your videos are great man please make this video. Thanks !

[@michaelwinfrey2047]

would love to see a 2.7i stroker & a 2.8 stroker with the M52 crank. Im about to go through the 2.8 stroker and there isnt as much data as there is the 2.7i

[@914sam5]

How do you get a 2.8 striker? Is it a 2.7 block with a different crank installed ?

[@michaelwinfrey2047]

@@914sam5 yea it’s a m52b28 crank in the M20 block. You’ll need custom pistons or modified factory ones. Mine is fully built and I went with custom pistons

[@kirilchuk]

Cool videos thank you , what kind of light stick you using

[@psavel274]

I'm new to your channel but from another guy who's been turning wrenches on bimmers for over 20 years, and a fellow asshole, I gotta say you guys are fuckin cool. I'd love to hang out with you boys but I'm on the east coast. I mean, listen to the beginning of the video- "Let's do some more stupid shit..." Pretty much sums up myself. Fucking awesome, and hilarious!!! Keep doing what your doing and thrashing shit fellas!!!

[@adriansadler9459]

Hi question, If you had very sludgly oil, what would your first thought be? Am i looking at a full rebuild? 325is e30

[@maxlambert6587]

Lets see the Frankenstein!

[@isaellopez1515]

Hey so I have a 1988 e30 no engine trying to install a m20 2.7l from a 1987 528e just trying to figure out wiring what type of wiring would I need

[@DERRICKK72]

Is it worth doing a 2.7 l stroker? And can you use your 325is computer

[@dannywright5706]

New suby from uk, nice informational vid I'm sure I'll be asking a few questions soon. Came out like butter 🤣🤣 silent t's to say it the cockney way 🤣

[@rabnawazkhan1837]

Great job guys and very detailed 👌

[@melwinlundqvist549]

Its the wiring the same process as a m20b20 to a m20b25 motronic 1.3?

[@jesusgonzalezjg255]

Where’s the next video? :) I’ve got mine ready just waiting on the next video to continue the build!

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Working on getting everything together for the next one, ran into an issue that isn't discussed at all on the forums, so Will is figuring out a 'ghetto' solution to keep the series running. A video will be coming though!

[@E30Tylerrr]

What about the 5k -7k tach? Is that a direct swap out?

[@SilverZepp]

So I have a 86 325es m20b27. And I have the 885 head and i intake. The i throttle body. MAF. AFM. And fuel injectors and fuel rail. With the 1.3 173 ecu do I need to swap wiring harness as well???? Please I need answers. Thank you

[@SilverZepp]

Also is the crank pulley swap necessary for the 2.7i build if I’m keep the same wiring harness

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Yes, the 1.3 harness is different. It is possible to rewire the 1.1 harness to work if you are extremely good with wiring diagrams. I would definitely just get a 1.3 harness and just do the rewire of pin 9 (Black wire) to make the tach work. Also the 1.1 and 1.3 DME plugs are different. So you would at least need that DME plug to be able to plug in the DME. Just get the 1.3 harness

[@SilverZepp]

Denver Beer & Oil I have the correct DME. I just don’t wanna buy the harness if I don’t need to. And if I’m. Or swapping harness I don’t need the i crank pulley right?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

@@SilverZepp there is no way around it, you will need all motronic 1.3 harness, ECU, crank sensor, and crank pulley

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

The crank pulley is different and has the indexing for the TDC crank trigger. The early pulleys do not.

[@f.s.detailgarage7869]

What did you do to hook up the brake booster hose to throttle body? Also my IS harness has a small plug by the ecu connector does this connector get used? My car is a 87 325es by the way. Harness is from a 92 convertible. Engine is from a 88i.

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

We just made a hose that goes from the large vacuum nipple on the intake manifold to the check valve (flow direction towards engine) and then finally to the fitting on the booster

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Additionally, the small plug doesn't get used in your swap. If your tach doesn't work check the c101 to see if the chassis side has the black wire pinned out for engine speed, if not you will have to run one from your engine harness to the blue connector on the back of the cluster (black wire as well)

[@f.s.detailgarage7869]

The booster line goes to the intake manifold on the 2.7 the 2.5 has it connected in 2 spots on the throttle body. I’m guessing you ran a single line with one of the throttle body inlets plugged off?

[@laserfalcon]

Does the crank bolt have reverse threads?

[@andresavilez5836]

fine more videos strokers 2.7 pleaase!!!!

[@tiliopower]

Can I weld the bung to one pipe or does it have to be welded between both of them?

[@shady2032]

I like ...i subscribe. I dont have friends and im from South Africa and we have millions of e30s but not alot of two doors

[@e30ski94]

Good stuff

[@REALSHYT666]

Hook us up with the 5K burn out from like five of your cool cars at the same time would be awesome. Thank you guys for all the viewing content

[@guidosaur7506]

Yes definitely need the purple tinky car in there as well

[@ChnkEdits]

I am currently doing this swap it will start off brake clean but fuel pump isn’t turning on and not sending fuel

[@austingallegos5854]

what is a good turbo kit on a budget

[@jackrobertson2558]

Great video. Just subscribed to the channel!

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Thank you!

[@bullethelldemon]

super informative vid guys! here's a weird one, but would you guys ever do a vid on installing an auto transmission in an e30? im manual swapping my daily soon and i wanna be able to put the auto back in my donor car to sell the whole thing

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Not sure we’ll have an opportunity to do that in the future, though the sorts would be essentially in reverse to a manual swap video - which we have! If you do have questions, you can shoot us a message on instagram @denverbeerandoil and we’ll try and give you some help

[@bullethelldemon]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL yeah i figured it wouldn't be something you or anyone else would do in most cases. i imagine it's mostly straight forward but i wasn't sure if there was anything weird about it to not like wiring or something like that. if i run into some trouble when i get around to it i definitely will though, thanks!

[@coreyjoseph4700]

Note on the rocker shafts: .they are the same but It does make a difference the way you turn them because of were the oil hole for the rockers sit when you install them ...the oil hole needs to line up with the valve ..thus is were the rocker will be ...also 87 is engine harnes will work no issues ...

[@mannysierra2047]

I’m wanna do a conversion on my e model but my car don’t have that c104 plug or c101 plug my car is a 84

[@Octopusolamo2000]

Is there any issues with running 2.5 bar (30psi) of fuel pressure from an early model ETA chassis with a late model I motor? Thanks and great video!

[@fueledmotorsports1215]

Would the 2.5 swap with all the wiring pass smog in California?

[@mknick89]

I almost subbed to these guys, theb saw them using chasers and thought damn girls you got a nice sbop

[@e30partsonline]

Hi, Which wire do you connect to get the rpm working? TIA

[@Ryolex]

Thank you guys for the awesome content. I’m actually getting ready to do this. However I’m stuck because the M20B25 motor that I’m going to use is off an Donor E30 iX Auto. To an 86 M20B27 eta Manual, I’ve also been watching your stroker built as well because I was considering doing that instead. Of the sharp since I have both cars. Lol

[@jesushoraciocanezsouza1671]

Hi there, i want put a 2.7 in my 325is, so i need ecu and harness and that it?, i bought a donor bmw 325e 1986

[@stevenbauer7744]

I have an early 325e and I've replaced that fuel filter with the engine in the car. It's a pain.

[@saq270987]

Thank you for all your videos lads. I've just got my e36 stripped ready to remove. Did you ever get around to fitting a m5x/s5x swap into a e30?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

You are very welcome, good job. That car is actually on the lift being finished right now.

[@saq270987]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL would be brilliant if you could put some dos and don'ts with the swap...

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

We’ve filmed some tidbits that we should be able to fit into the next roadkill episode, when it’s completely done, we can make a full video on it

[@saq270987]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL thank you again lads.

[@Savantrez]

Ok, here's my mystery. I have the 325e 1986. As I accelerated to 45 mph the car make a lot of noise and stalled out. It's been almost 4weeks And this is what I learned. The dme and fuel relays failed to pump the fuel. !!!+++++Timing belt snapped'!!!! Checked heads, no bent valves, no broken rocker arms alignment completed timing-tuned. Bolted down TIME covers alterNATOR everything, NO START- compression revealed all cylinders are compression have crank and spark but not start. Unless it is the very first turn of the day. When trying the very first of the day, cylinder 1 will back fire. Nothing but crank will occur after. With small exceptions to the 1 cylinder still no start, distributor/cap-spark plugs, wire. Any ideas???

[@adamszydlik3927]

I'm currently doing this. Just curious what clutch did u put in it stock dual mass?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Just a matter of preference really

[@returntochrist777]

What year is this e30? 1990? Looks every so solid. Great work btw. Bloody terrific

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

1986, thanks for the compliments.

[@FrankieSullivan]

Do you guys have any vast swap information for us E28 guys? I'd like to know what it would take to do a stroker build, or a 24v swap. I know the E28 has its own strange nuances, that make it hard to bounce around E30 parts into the E28 chassis.

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

I don't have first hand knowledge but, everything I've heard is all the e30 Info carries over, I'm sure there is some small stuff that is different, but for the most part, it's the same.

[@i3abod55]

Hello please let me know if i can use 731head on 2.7 eta engine The engine have 2.7eta head

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

I dont have knowledge of the 731 head

[@napoliansolo7865]

Do you need to switch the e MAF to the i MAF? (if you said I missed it.)

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

yes, they are different

[@calebcaron4566]

I got a 528e might do this

[@mikeavelar9303]

Hey Long shot question, I have a 1985 325e with a bad motor, looks like broken piston, so a swap seems to be the best route to take, I just came up with a free 1986 735i that is a complete car and it was parked running long ago according to my neighbor who game me the car, I would lobe to swap this bigger motor and beefier suspension to the e30 to make it a 5 lug and better diff and more power. in your opinion would this be a doable swap? if not suspension maybe just the motor? the 86 is automatic, the 85 is stick. thanks. all comments welcome.

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Non of the suspension is compatible. The m30 can be swapped in but it requires a lot of custom work. Your trans will not bolt to an m30.

[@mikeavelar9303]

Would it be possible to add a mounting plate between the tranny and the 3.5 motor? This is my first bmw projects, but fabricating and Frankensteinimg is what I'm good at. My last project was a 1962 international scout and I transferred everything from a 1984 totota 4runner.

[@floornmore4677]

You guys rock with the info . I want to know what’s the difference between the e30 325 stroked or m50 swap ?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Well we have access to a dyno now so we could do direct head to head comparisons

[@hatchman16]

I’m about to do this exact swap, just wanted to confirm that there’s no issue bolting the early “e” transmission, clutch, flywheel to the i motor?? Everything will work or is there stuff I need to change? Thanks

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Yes sir, they are actually a stronger trans aswell

[@hatchman16]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL thanks for the quick reply. I don’t have a lift so unfortunately I’ll have to use a Jack and stands, and a shop crane. I’m assuming you guys have done it that way at least once before…is it doable to leave the trans in the car or would it just be better to pull it out connected to the engine? I don’t wanna fight with bell-housing bolts on the ground under the car so I’m guessing pulling them out together is better, no?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

It isn't bad to pull out on the ground. I would leave the trans attached.

[@SlowEuros]

I learned today

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

All of the learning

[@CurithirObila]

Final power?

[@bryanclayworth6716]

Just found your channel, great content! I had an early model convertible previously and now have a 91 325i auto. I have a 2.7 eta/getrag manual swapped into the car because the 2.5 was shot when I got it. Have not been able to get it to start with the harness/DME from the 2.7, everything I’ve read so far on here leads me to believe I have to use all the electronics from the “i” because they won’t work from the “e” correct? Thanks!

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

You are missing the wiring for the idle computer in the glove box, I'm guessing that's your issue. You could switch everything to Motronic 1.3, but you should be able to make it work on the eta stuff as well.

[@bryanclayworth6716]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL man you guys are awesome, appreciate you getting back so quick…I found the idle computer on FCP, think if I get that connected it should start? I have power for all of the lights and electrical components in the car. If not, assuming I’ll need to put all the motronic 1.3 stuff back on. I got the car and did the swap in 2018 and ran into this issue…all this in hopes to eventually do a Frankenmotor. Just looking to get it running and enjoy it for now, super clean with only 76K on the body. Thanks again for the free insight, anything I can do to help support what you guys do here?

[@dtmfool789]

Wait so the more desirable engine is the 2.5 over the 2.7?

[@dtmfool789]

Nvm got it. It’s the economy engine.

[@darianmoritz8584]

Would I have a difficult time going from a 87 325e to a 91 325i engine? Harness differences?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

This is exactly what I did in this video. You will need everything from the "i" car

[@neillpeterson20]

have you guys ever swapped a convertible? just out of curiosity, thanks

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

I have not, I do have a 318i I plan on putting an m20 in though.

[@553sg4]

bro the fucken home depot song was hilarious, cheers

[@edgarmelendez6345]

Any thoughts on converting the AFM to MAF when doing this swap? I've also read about folks swapping the M20 AFM for the M30 AFM- has anyone tried this with reasonable success/positive gains?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

All of those maf/afm swaps seem kind of pointless to me. I've never seen any noticeable improvement even with a matching ecu chip

[@tommygunnz7154]

Wouldn't mind seeing ITB's on an M52tub25. Because why? Because it's fun to piss the internet off. And that's my 2020 project.

[@Andrew4181975]

I know you got a few E34s around there and I have a 93 525iA that is my daily and is making me Crazy not being able to figure out a SUSPN LEVELING error message that keeps coming up when I drive mine. I have not been able to figure it out so far , can you guys give me any help with that ? I know my car doesn't even have the Self-Leveling suspension because it was just for M5s , I thought. My car is a Sedan , btw. Production date 10/92

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Self leveling came on a bunch of them besides M5s. Look at your rear shocks and see if you have hydraulic lines running to them. Also the sls cars have a metal power steering reservoir

[@Andrew4181975]

@@DENVERBEERANDOIL Im way way beyond that, I know that it never had the SLS, plus no switch on the rear sway bar that I can ground the two wires to not get the error because there is no SLS equipment on the car. I replace the OEM suspension with FK springs and Bilsteins , but it never had SLS in the first place. Im looking at the CCM module and the board looks fine like no resoldering needed, or damage to the ciruit board. I want to find the wiring harness and pin out the the ground because Im pretty sure it is just a simple ground issue. I cant find any wiring to check out though. Could I come by your guys shop to discuss it ? Id like to come by anyway to look around.

[@houseofno]

There is a camber switch on your differential. It looks like a relay. Take it out and put a jumper wire on it. You will need to research to find out which pins to jumper. Hope this helps.

[@boobholders6720]

Is there anything about BMWs you guys dont know?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

There is a lot we don't know, especially the newer stuff. But we are learning more every day.

[@Coltreezy]

What is a eta engine

[@rustyshalkerford3837]

How can someone convert a 200 head to a 885?

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

The castings are different

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

The e30 rouge yes for mie is ok my naime is jean charles rabaux the frenchy

[@eduardbujevics7452]

how do you know how antifreeze tastes? 😂

[@MrBEAN584]

be prepared. if you do some "clickbait" or some video that gets real popular this is the time. gonna gain 50k subs in a week if you do 😆

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

Please seur just one e30 325 i for sale the cars is m'y bb please one for sale the sold the cars

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

Please please is one for sale the cars bmw e30 325 i 2 portes yes oh yes je vous laisse le choix dit réfléchir entre oui ou oui vous avait le choix

[@ichkackmirindiehoish]

Oh Mann. Eta Motor mit 2.7 l 🤩🤩🤩🤩. Mach den Kopf vom 2 l drauf . Einen besseres Ergebnis als das was ihr da treibt. Aber woher sollt ihr das wissen. Seid halt noch alle zu jung 😅