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

DISCUSSION => Swaps, Turbos, Buildups => Topic started by: denious on August 11, 2007, 09:29:46 AM

Title: e36 m42 or an m20b25?
Post by: denious on August 11, 2007, 09:29:46 AM

As my engine's not in the best shape and I don't plan on rebuilding it, I was considering either an e36 m42 swap or an m20b25 swap for this winter.

I don't plan on starting a discussion about which one's better, but more on what's more reliable and cheaper to first swap in & then fix in the next 5 years?

Title: e36 m42 or an m20b25?
Post by: D. Clay on August 11, 2007, 12:12:26 PM

M42 is a bolt in. The six involves exhaust, electronics, driveshaft and all of that stuff.

Title: e36 m42 or an m20b25?
Post by: Tor Arne Kaasen on August 11, 2007, 12:29:40 PM

m42 ore m50.

Title: e36 m42 or an m20b25?
Post by: denious on August 11, 2007, 02:42:01 PM

Basically I want a cheap and reliable swap for the next 2-3 years while I save for something bigger like s52+tranny+lsd+etc swap.

I really meant m42, because I know it's bolt-on, but m20's more powerful and I always found that parts for the m20 are slightly cheaper than for the m42.  But you're probably right about all the extra costing me quite something... So e36 m42 it is! :)

I'm budgeting around $2k for the engine, rebuild & some mods while it's out and I'd also go for a new tranny or a rebuild of mine if the budget allows. Feasible for $2k?

Title: e36 m42 or an m20b25?
Post by: nickmpower on August 11, 2007, 03:41:42 PM

if your going to be swaping it in a couple years just find a lower mileage stock engnie

Title: e36 m42 or an m20b25?
Post by: denious on August 11, 2007, 06:44:37 PM

I'll rephrase: this swap will be done this winter, and in 2-3 years I'll do another swap for something crazy like an s52.