How to identify motor?

[lumbergh17]

Hey guys,

Been searching around and haven't found solid info. I just bought a 2002, and it came with a spare motor, and on the head is stamped e21 2.0.

So obviously it is from an e21 but on wikipedia it shows a bunch of different variants. Is that true that there are a few variants and how would I know which one I have?

Thanks for any insight.

[Mike Self]

just above the starter. On E21s as well as 2002s, the motor # & VIN match. Post the number you find and we should be able to figure out year and whether it was a US car. It would most likely be from a US spec E21, 77-79; later cars would have the 1.8 liter engine.

Of course it could be an E21 head on a 2002 block, but the motor number will reveal that.

mike

[1453aalapapa]

76 2002 had e21 head. if it is 320i head, there is no hole for fuel pump rod. other than that, it is the same head for the 2.0 320i

[lumbergh17]

thanks for the help, I'm back at school now (5hrs from home) so I can't check until I can have someone go look at it.

I'm thinking it might be a 76 motor with 320i head like stated above as the owner had two cars, and parted out one to keep the one I bought going.

Is there any significant change / horsepower increase in the two? The motor in the car now is a stock '75 motor.

[1453aalapapa]

if there is a difference, it is insignificant. the e21 head is a full hemispherical, the pistons are still flat tops. so there might be a slight difference in compression. i am told the head flows better than the earlier 121/e12. the 76 had a 3.91 rear diff, but also different emission controls than the 75 and before. if you examine the hi compression piston for the e21 head, the pop top is kinda like a half moon, vs the baby grand piano for the e12

[PatAllen]

before making any assumptions, go there first.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,313512/

[lumbergh17]

Thanks for the info, a friend can get me the numbers on Wednesday. I wanted to do an m20 swap but I'm thinking I could just mess around with some stuff on this spare motor and try some combos.