M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Cre8toR on April 11, 2010, 08:20:18 PM

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: Cre8toR on April 11, 2010, 08:20:18 PM

Hey guys, I have a 4 door 318i with a crapy single cam motor, Its starting to die and i a have ecu harness everything from a 318is i stripped out a while back but the motor was stuffed. My question is how hard is to just drop the M42 motor in.. It seems like an easy conversion to me? Mounts ect look the same so is it just change the loom and ecu + manifold and thats it? Also if someone has a M42 motor around the area of sydney that you want to sell im very interested. I have quotes of $600, if you can beat that sweet!

Thanks guys

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: tjts1 on April 11, 2010, 09:11:21 PM

As far as I know, the M40 (8 valve) and M42 share the same block so the engine mounts etc should be identical. I expect everything would bolt right in. Thankfully BMW in the US decided to sell the poverty spec 318i with the M42. No swap required.
good luck
Justin

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: BlueBMW on April 11, 2010, 09:46:05 PM

Are you swapping out an M10 or M40?

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: Cre8toR on April 12, 2010, 02:17:37 AM

Im swapping the stock 1.8L 8v single cam motor for the twin cam 1.8L Twin Cam.

I have swapped motors ect before so im pretty switch on with it, But just want a heads up in case the mounts ect are different in some way or not you know?

Is there much in swapping the loom? It just plugs straight in right?

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: douby on April 12, 2010, 06:25:33 AM

Quote from: Cre8toR;90741

Im swapping the stock 1.8L 8v single cam motor for the twin cam 1.8L Twin Cam.

I have swapped motors ect before so im pretty switch on with it, But just want a heads up in case the mounts ect are different in some way or not you know?

Is there much in swapping the loom? It just plugs straight in right?

so are you swapping out an  M10 or M40? There were 2 1.8 8v engines.

This is an M10B18:
(http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/1060/photo03582kk.jpg)

and here you see M40B18:
(http://e30m40.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/engine_m40b18_02.jpg)

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: dinu.negrean on April 12, 2010, 04:58:50 PM

If it is an M40 we are talking about it is pretty straight forward. If you have doubts on any of the parts, go check realoem.com

If you want another opinion I can check with tecdoc, just pm me.

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: Cre8toR on April 12, 2010, 06:52:23 PM

(http://www.bmwsociety.com/classifieds/images/63731-106.jpg)

^^ Thats my beast lol..M40? its in a 97 E36. The loom ecu etc etc i have is from a 98 e36 318is so will that still mate up with a M42 motor say from 91? Cause im sure there is two series isnt there?? I am pretty sure its a straight forward swap, Just wanted to make sure you know. Thanks for the help peeps i appreciate it =) Think ill be on here more now, Very helpful

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: Cre8toR on May 06, 2010, 11:14:33 PM

Hi guys, I am picking up the new M42 motor tomorrow for the conversion from an M40. Just want to make sure all i need is the motor, ECU and loom for the conversion and everything else is the same.. The new loom will just plug straight into where the old one did?

Plug and play right?

Title: 318i M42 conversion
Post by: opelmantagsi on May 03, 2011, 08:44:11 PM

any update on how this went?