Ben 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 I recently bought an e30 320i that supposedly had an b25 swap and I'm trying to confirm what engine is in it. Problem is all numbers on the engine don't seem to match anything I can find on the net And theres nothing stamped or cast on the block or head that would indicate the displacement. Was hoping one of you guys might be able to help. Numbers at the bottom by the sump are 23 6e c 20833619 Numbers at the top of the block by the frost plugs are 1278 849 349 84. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terroth 5 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) There should be a number printed on the head under the intake I believe, for. B25 it should be 885, for a 320i it should be 731 I think. The swap should also have a larger radiator and an oiler cooler, although both of those could be removed for just oil filter and the 320i radiator. I just completed this swap so I can give you pictures if necessary. Edited January 13, 2016 by Terroth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 Engine no: 20833619 2 - M20, M21 or M50 083 - serial number 3 - built in Munich 619 - production day (could it be 019?) Doesn't help with the B25 bit. Does the head have a number stamped on it? A B25 head has a number ending 885. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 2.3L 323i engine maybe 23 size 6 cylinders e c compression piston type Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 There should be a number printed on the head under the intake I believe, for. B25 it should be 885, for a 320i it should be 731 I think. The swap should also have a larger radiator and an oiler cooler, although both of those could be removed for just oil filter and the 320i radiator. I just completed this swap so I can give you pictures if necessary. It doesn't have an oil cooler or aircon. Do you have to remove the intake manifold To see the markings on the head? Was trying to avoid that to be honest lol 2.3L 323i engine maybe 23 size 6 cylinders e c compression piston type That's kind of what I was thinking. Seems to be running the stock loom and a motronic though. What ecu and ignition etc do b23 normally have? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) M20B23 had K- or L-Jetronic (an E30 would be L-Jetronic; the E21 used K-Jet).M20B25 had Motronic. Edited January 13, 2016 by gjm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terroth 5 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) It doesn't have an oil cooler or aircon. Do you have to remove the intake manifold To see the markings on the head? Was trying to avoid that to be honest lol That's kind of what I was thinking. Seems to be running the stock loom and a motronic though. What ecu and ignition etc do b23 normally have? Here are some photos The first is of my old 320i Intake with just the intake rubber pipe removed you can easily identify the head # The second photo is of the 325i Inside the car with all the piping, its a lot harder to see but if you crane your neck and look through that gap around the brake booster / intake piping you can see the head # Just below that clip on the pipe you can see the '8', you can see the rest of it if you pop your head in there Alternatively, you can plug your ECU ID number into google and see what it comes up as. E30zone i think has a list as well as some other websites of what ECU belongs to what setup. Its not definitive though as you can run a 320i ecu on a 325, it'll just throttle its performance. Edited January 13, 2016 by Terroth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skidz 197 Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Bring it to the coffee meet on Sunday and you will get a dozen different opinions! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jono51 59 Report post Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) looks to be a re-manufactured E30 short block, initially about 1984 the engine you have is from a 323i, so displacement 2.3 litres bore is same as 320i , just stroked to get displacement , to m20b23 you may contact the seller and inform him that it's not 325 Edited January 15, 2016 by JKSE 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted December 28, 2021 went to see this car today. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320i/listing/3398813919?bof=phVBCxpG just doing some research as he reckons its a 2.5 but i was sure looking at it it was a 2.3 subsequently found this thread! shame the OP of this thread is now trying to sell it as a 2.5 knowing its not the car is scrap anyways though, as the intake is off bonnet most of the way off when i arrived so likely water in the bores. water all through the fuse box too. and the firewall is totally rotted out big time. gearbox notchy etc. about the only good thing is it has a good sunroof on it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
