M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: Venom on January 14, 2014, 06:36:23 PM
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I'm new to the site (hello from Ireland ;)) and it's fantastic if also overwhelming at the same point. So please forgive me if these points have been covered in any depth before.
I have a 95 E36 M42, I'm currently waiting on delivery of a small case LSD that is meant to be a rare OEM 3.65 ratio. I've also been offered a, what has been said to me, genuine 318IS singlemass fly wheel and as well I am trying to land a stainless decat to go with a stainless exhaust manifold and remus backbox I already have. I'm considering picking up a second hand m47 crank (can you see where this is going ::) ;D). I have also been looking at BBTB as they seem quiet cheap. I've been reading up on using different injectors and advancing the cam timing and both are very interesting topics if a little illusive.
I'm not a mechanic and my aim is not to have the quickest 318IS out there but just put a pep in it's step as they say. As a result I have many questions.
I may not do this to my daily engine and instead pick up another m42 along the way as this idea would be a long term build.
If I buy a second hand crank (I know a new one would be better but price is an issue currently) would I have to get this machined or balanced?
Does anyone have a guide as to what alterations would need to be made to the crank for it to fit the engine as I cannot find one?
For the crank to be effective in stroking the engine is it always required to have the engine bored out and fit larger pistons? If so why and which ones (I have read euro M3?, being sold for parts here a lot so used not so difficult to get).
Would the combination of the above mentioned parts yeild any performance gains?
What ECU would people recommend for this type of job or is there a need to change it?
What other modifications or part recommendations (trying to be cost effective) would people have for this type of build?
I'm sure I will have many other questions.
Thanks.
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Hi Venom welcome to the club. I'm by no means an expert, but that's okay there are plenty around here to help you along. The M47 crank is drop-in save two modifications: 1) the snout will have to be turned down a wee bit so your crank sprocket will fit over it and 2) a new keyway needs to be cut. If you go to Metric Mechanic's website they have a pdf that covers the changes needed. Here's the link http://www.metricmechanic.com/pdf/M42-Engine-Booklet.pdf Also lots of threads around here.
You'll also need a new crank bolt and washer. Other than that you'll need to get you combustion height sorted.
I'm not sure how much benefit you'll get out of different header etc. I think the consensus is the exhaust flows pretty well (at least on E30 not sure about E36). Best bang for the buck is a chip and the lightened flywheel you mentioned. Anything ele is going to be expensive, but don't let that discourage you!
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Well LSD and decat are now in my possession! 8)
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Hi venom
What lsd did you get? Ratio, case?
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I got a small case 3.64 ratio. As far as I know it's 25% lock.
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Just to update this. I didn't go ahead as I have bough two more cars and another engine and box :o