M20 Touring 2.5L Engine

The BimmerHeads Touring M20 2.5L long block engine — our Stage 1 build for stock street cars, high-level restorations, and lightly modified builds. It’s also a strong foundation for stock-style race builds, including Spec E30, PRO3, and applicable NASA, BMW CCA, and SCCA classes. Racing customers should confirm their class rules before choosing build options.

Every Touring engine is run-in and tested on our custom-built engine run stand before it ships — we break in the camshaft, check for oil leaks, and verify quality control using Motul Break-In oil and Mahle oil filters. We take the time to get each engine right, not just get it out the door.

Choose your camshaft, valve spring, and timing belt kit configuration above — not sure which combination is right for your build? Contact us and we're happy to help.

Every Touring engine includes a fully rebuilt Touring spec 885 cylinder head receiving:

• Cleaning & pressure testing
• Precision resurfacing
• New Supertech stainless steel black nitride valves
• New Supertech valve guides
• New performance valve seals
• New camshaft o-ring & seal
• New Febi OEM replacement rocker arms
• New rocker arm hardware & eccentrics
• New intake manifold studs
• New thermostat housing studs
• New exhaust manifold studs
• New valve cover studs

Every Touring engine bottom end receives:

• Hot tank cleaning
• Magnaflux block to check for cracks
• Precision deck resurfacing
• Cylinder boring & torque plate honing
• New Mahle 84.5mm pistons
• New wrist pins & piston rings
• New wrist pin bushings
• New ARP connecting rod bolts
• New ACL Race crankshaft main bearing set
• New ACL Race connecting rod bearing set
• Reconditioned OE BMW crankshaft
• New engine oil pump
• New engine oil pan
• New magnetic oil drain plug
• New oil pressure switch
• New timing belt
• New timing belt tensioner
• New timing belt tensioner spring
• New timing belt tensioner stud
• New intermediate shaft gear
• New water pump
• New freeze plugs
• New engine block coolant drain plug
• Satin black engine block paint
• New OE BMW head bolt set
• New BimmerHeads M20 Fastener Kit
• Ultimate head gasket set
• Bottom end gasket set
• New NGK spark plug set

Camshaft options:

• New OE Spec Cam — factory specification grind. The right call for a stock rebuild or a clean street driver.
• Regrind 274 — increased lift and duration over stock, ground on a used OE BMW core. Excellent street manners with a noticeable mid-range improvement. Best for stock to mild builds.
• New 274 — same 274 grind on a brand new core. For those who want the performance upgrade without a reground cam.
• Regrind 280/274 — dual pattern — ground on a used OE BMW core with different intake/exhaust duration for stronger pull under boost. The go-to grind for forced induction builds.
• New 280/274 — same dual pattern 280/274 grind on a brand new core. For those who want the 280/274 grind without a reground cam.

Valve spring options:

• New OE BMW Dual Valve Springs — brand-new OE BMW dual springs, the factory choice for a fresh M20 build.
• Performance Dual Valve Springs — BimmerHeads high-performance dual valve springs engineered for high-lift camshaft applications.

Timing belt kit options:

• Continental belt — OEM-spec Continental timing belt, the factory replacement choice for M20 timing belt service.
• Gates Racing belt — HNBR elastomeric composite construction, up to 300% stronger than stock. The performance belt we reach for on our own M20 builds.
• INA tensioner — OEM-spec INA timing belt tensioner. The reliable, correct choice for stock and standard builds.
• PPF billet tensioner — precision-machined from heavy-duty billet aluminum. The upgrade we recommend for performance and high-mileage builds.
• Early pump (1987 and older) / Late pump (1988 and newer) — select the water pump fitment that matches your engine's year.

Each engine is built to order. Orders cannot be canceled once placed. Allow a minimum of 16–18 weeks for production.

Price includes a refundable $700 cylinder head core charge and a refundable $300 engine short block core charge ($1,000 total). Once your BimmerHeads engine arrives, use the original crate to return your core engine. Cores that pass our inspection and testing receive a full $1,000 refund. If the camshaft is unusable, the crankshaft is scored, or repairable damage is found, we will contact you before any deductions are made. Return freight is the customer's responsibility.

Freight is billed separately. Due to the variables in engine freight cost, shipping will be invoiced once your engine is complete and ready to ship.

Our Spec Sheet has the installation references you'll need — valve clearances, torque specifications, oil recommendations, and break-in instructions.

Every Touring engine leaves BimmerHeads run-in, tested, and ready to run. If it doesn't meet our standard before it ships, it doesn't leave.