VIN confusion

Originally Posted by lordofthewaters

Looks like a 2.5 "i" engine. Weird. Unless it's an error somewhere.

I am having the same "problem" as straightSixer. I also do not have the cold start valve and my VIN shows it as being a 325e (88). On the head I have 2.5 printed on it but I have the 6K tach.

It has a 325e intake manifold and a 325i valve cover, so maybe its an I engine with an E intake manifold for some reason.

Wait wait wait. I seem to remember a lot of people with 5 series etas a while back removing the cold start valve and switching to other injectors. I'm willing to bet that's what was done. It does look like it has the narrower eta intake, and has the "i" valve cover. I'm betting this is what was done, along with a replaced boot lid or "i" badge, since it 's an '88 and the vin decoder says it's an eta.

Also if anyone has the Bentley manual handy (I'm at work) I recall that (possibly) the 88 year 325 did not have an CSV for either the I or the E or both. I seem to recall that there was something different about the 88 besides the super ETA engine.

did you paint the manifold and valve cover? The previous owner probably replaced the manifold and painted it for some reason because everything on that motor looks like an I motor. If you can rev to 6k you do not have a regular E, the 325i can rev to 6k because it has the dual valve springs and the e only revs to ~5k .

No i powder coated the intake manifold and the valve cover (gloss black) while i had it in the shop for a timing belt/valve adjustment etc. It wasn't a perfect job, but it still looks pretty good lol. I cant remember if i can rev to 6k but my tach does go to 6. I have a pic somewhere with the valve cover off, i'll try to find it and post it (non jumbo size this time)

Originally Posted by Pennyw1se

Also if anyone has the Bentley manual handy (I'm at work) I recall that (possibly) the 88 year 325 did not have an CSV for either the I or the E or both. I seem to recall that there was something different about the 88 besides the super ETA engine.

I have a bentley in my trunk, i'll grab it and see what it says

Yup page 12 of the engine section, right near the top "The 325i(is), 325i convertible and the 325 models are not equiped with cold start valves"

Originally Posted by straightSixer

Yup page 12 of the engine section, right near the top "The 325i(is), 325i convertible and the 325 models are not equiped with cold start valves"

There you have it then. I was thinking that the super etas had them as well. You DO have a super eta like we thought earlier.

Well i have to say I'm a bit disappointed. Now i wonder who decided to make it into a 325i.