Questions with 82’ 528e e2i swap

[Luc1an]

Hello all!  I’ve got an 1982 528e with what seems to be a leaky head gasket. Was originally looking to do a m30b35 swap but the car needs work elsewhere and I’m not sure if it would be the smartest choice financially and it would likely be off the road for longer than I’d like…also I’m located in California so getting it able to pass smog would likely be a headache. So I think I’ve moved on to an e2i swap since we’re gonna have to open up the engine Anyway and the stock m20 leaves slightly more to be desired. I’ve scoured all over the forum and read numerous post but I figured I’d ask myself to get extra help. I know I need to source a 731 head ( or 885) and the supereta wiring harness but on top of that I’d like a conclusive parts list as most of the post about the e2i swap are starting with 88’ super etas. Also if anyone has parts or knows someone who does let me know as I am interested. Thanks. 

[turbodan]

You can always go halfway and put a B25 cam and dual valve springs in the stock eta head.  That combo actually runs decent, even with the standard eta motronic.  Best way I can describe it is as a more pissed off eta.  With an off the shelf chip it'll pull all the way to 5300.  Good midrange torque too.

The full monte requires either cylinder head, a 325i intake and throttle body, AFM, DME, harness, crank sensor with bracket, crank pulley, coolant temp sensor, oxygen sensor, FPR and ICV.  You can use an e30 harness if you're comfortable rewiring the C101 and C103 connectors.  I've done it, it works.  Super e harnesses are getting scarce even in rough condition, so if you can find a decent e30 harness it is an option.

The only other issue with the 82-87 is the pistons.  They are dished, they don't make much compression with the 885 head.  Then there's the rings, they are a low tension design which is not effective at controlling oil consumption at high RPM.  They can be used, but you will likely see puffs of oil smoke on high RPM upshifts or after engine braking.

[Luc1an]

You can always go halfway and put a B25 cam and dual valve springs in the stock eta head.  That combo actually runs decent, even with the standard eta motronic.  Best way I can describe it is as a more pissed off eta.  With an off the shelf chip it'll pull all the way to 5300.  Good midrange torque too.

The full monte requires either cylinder head, a 325i intake and throttle body, AFM, DME, harness, crank sensor with bracket, crank pulley, coolant temp sensor, oxygen sensor, FPR and ICV.  You can use an e30 harness if you're comfortable rewiring the C101 and C103 connectors.  I've done it, it works.  Super e harnesses are getting scarce even in rough condition, so if you can find a decent e30 harness it is an option.

The only other issue with the 82-87 is the pistons.  They are dished, they don't make much compression with the 885 head.  Then there's the rings, they are a low tension design which is not effective at controlling oil consumption at high RPM.  They can be used, but you will likely see puffs of oil smoke on high RPM upshifts or after engine braking.

Haven’t opened up the engine but worried my head might be bad. Would a 731 head do anything?  Anything more I could do other than the b25 cam and dual valve springs? Was still looking at a b35 swap but since it’s my daily I know that the m30s are gas guzzlers and I’d rather be at least somewhat economical. Thanks a lot. 

[Ralph in SoCal]

PM sent to OP.

Ralph 

[turbodan]

You can always go halfway and put a B25 cam and dual valve springs in the stock eta head.  That combo actually runs decent, even with the standard eta motronic.  Best way I can describe it is as a more pissed off eta.  With an off the shelf chip it'll pull all the way to 5300.  Good midrange torque too.

The full monte requires either cylinder head, a 325i intake and throttle body, AFM, DME, harness, crank sensor with bracket, crank pulley, coolant temp sensor, oxygen sensor, FPR and ICV.  You can use an e30 harness if you're comfortable rewiring the C101 and C103 connectors.  I've done it, it works.  Super e harnesses are getting scarce even in rough condition, so if you can find a decent e30 harness it is an option.

The only other issue with the 82-87 is the pistons.  They are dished, they don't make much compression with the 885 head.  Then there's the rings, they are a low tension design which is not effective at controlling oil consumption at high RPM.  They can be used, but you will likely see puffs of oil smoke on high RPM upshifts or after engine braking.

Haven’t opened up the engine but worried my head might be bad. Would a 731 head do anything?  Anything more I could do other than the b25 cam and dual valve springs? Was still looking at a b35 swap but since it’s my daily I know that the m30s are gas guzzlers and I’d rather be at least somewhat economical. Thanks a lot. 

The 731 head with either the 323i or 325i cam will wake it up.  Not much different than a B25 cam in the 200 head, you just won't have to drill any oil holes for the seven bearing cam.

You just have an oil leak right?

[Luc1an]

Haven’t opened up the engine but worried my head might be bad. Would a 731 head do anything?  Anything more I could do other than the b25 cam and dual valve springs? Was still looking at a b35 swap but since it’s my daily I know that the m30s are gas guzzlers and I’d rather be at least somewhat economical. Thanks a lot. 

The 731 head with either the 323i or 325i cam will wake it up.  Not much different than a B25 cam in the 200 head, you just won't have to drill any oil holes for the seven bearing cam.

You just have an oil leak right?

I have a head leak, previous owner redid the engine but didn’t seem to do a great job….

[turbodan]

All I'm saying is that 99+% of M20 oil leaks above the block are valve cover and cam seal leaks.  The rocker shaft cutout plugs can be installed inside out, or the inner lip can snag and get folded over.  Valve covers are usually warped/distorted and can be a challenge to seal.  Cam seal carrier o-rings like to bulge and get pinched during installation.

Especially if the head gasket is fairly fresh, there is only a vanishingly slight possibility that it is the source of the oil leak.

[Luc1an]

All I'm saying is that 99+% of M20 oil leaks above the block are valve cover and cam seal leaks.  The rocker shaft cutout plugs can be installed inside out, or the inner lip can snag and get folded over.  Valve covers are usually warped/distorted and can be a challenge to seal.  Cam seal carrier o-rings like to bulge and get pinched during installation.

Especially if the head gasket is fairly fresh, there is only a vanishingly slight possibility that it is the source of the oil leak.

Hey thanks for responding! Am also curious if doing a stroker would be a good idea. I know Ireland Engineering sells a stroker kit. Have no experience with stroker builds so I just figured I’d ask what it pertains. Figure If I’m opening the engine I might as well try to do this stuff now instead of the future.