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

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: lostmenoggin on February 01, 2013, 11:37:29 PM

Title: E36 318is Need an engine. Replacement question.
Post by: lostmenoggin on February 01, 2013, 11:37:29 PM
Can I put any M42 in my 7/1992 318is? I need an engine and I plan on using the wiring harness and ecu that came with the car and was wondering if any of the different year M42 engines would work. Thanks.
Title: E36 318is Need an engine. Replacement question.
Post by: Geoff on February 02, 2013, 08:47:46 AM
different years  will work,  but probably not without mods.  the early ones for e-30 use a different ecu and different sensors in the head.  these engines run w/out a knock sensor.  The later ones than yours may work, but there were differences along the way with the belt system and maybe other stuff I am not aware of.   a true plug in motor with no mods at all would probably have to be the same type as yours.
                                                                                Geoff
Title: E36 318is Need an engine. Replacement question.
Post by: e3091318is on February 12, 2013, 02:49:09 AM
I have a 1991 318is E30 and I am attempting to put put in a M42 from a 1995 318i sedan.  Looks all the same.  Only doing the block and switching everything else out.
Title: E36 318is Need an engine. Replacement question.
Post by: e3091318is on February 14, 2013, 01:53:08 AM
Quote from: Geoff;119802
different years  will work,  but probably not without mods.  the early ones for e-30 use a different ecu and different sensors in the head.  these engines run w/out a knock sensor.  The later ones than yours may work, but there were differences along the way with the belt system and maybe other stuff I am not aware of.   a true plug in motor with no mods at all would probably have to be the same type as yours.
                                                                                Geoff


I am guessing it would be easiest just to put in the original sensors and keep the original ecu?  This may also allow you to delete the anti-knock sensor too.