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

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: denious on August 16, 2007, 06:02:47 AM

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: denious on August 16, 2007, 06:02:47 AM

OK so I've been thinking about this for some time now, I have the money, but I can't choose one or the other! So. I want to swap my tranny for an e36 one for sure. I thought of swapping the engine too to get slightly more power and reliability.

But if I rebuild mine, isn't it going to be cheaper and as reliable + for the saved money I could get, say, a chip and a light flywheel? What benefits does the swap have to make it worth the extra trouble?

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: denious on August 16, 2007, 06:13:30 PM

For those who voted rebuild, why?

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: jetteman on August 16, 2007, 07:22:16 PM

I say go with the e36 because I assume they got rid of the problems.

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: asubimmer on August 16, 2007, 07:54:20 PM

Quote from: jetteman;31769

I say go with the e36 because I assume they got rid of the problems.

what "problems"?
 
 
and I say rebuild because a fresh motor would be nicer than knock sensors

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: Shocker on August 16, 2007, 10:14:35 PM

Quote from: asubimmer;31774

what "problems"?
 
 
and I say rebuild because a fresh motor would be nicer than knock sensors

You would need the wiring harness and DME to make the knock sensors functional.  A rebuilt engine with knock sensors would be way better.  IMO.

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: badboypolar on August 16, 2007, 10:44:50 PM

I rebuilt my motor, replaced everything, by everything, I mean everything. Runs awesome. Had to shave my head .010 cause the head was warped from a blown head gasket from the PO. But used a thicker head gasket so it all balances out.

Sure, it was a little costly, but cost less then a swap, and I know that the motor won't kick the bucket anytime soon.

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: asubimmer on August 17, 2007, 06:37:41 AM

Quote from: Shocker;31781

You would need the wiring harness and DME to make the knock sensors functional. A rebuilt engine with knock sensors would be way better. IMO.

yeah that stuff kinda goes along w/ a motor swap....

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: denious on August 17, 2007, 01:41:09 PM

I think I'll go with the rebuild and also upgrade the internals so that I can eventually go FI. Anybody know good places I could get quality parts from for a decent price? Preferably shipped to Canada too... Even though knock sensors would be good I suppose, but even if I do get an e36, it's being rebuilt too, it's just a question of pricing.

Title: Help to finally choose between e36 m42 swap or a rebuild!!
Post by: rhogg on August 17, 2007, 08:41:51 PM

I've been using Pelican Parts with good cross border success.  It pays to check dealer price though as occaisionaly they are cheaper than the discount +shippping.