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

DISCUSSION => Swaps, Turbos, Buildups => Topic started by: doigal on April 25, 2006, 05:01:37 AM

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: doigal on April 25, 2006, 05:01:37 AM

Hey all!

I'm thinking of dropping in an m44 to an aussie spec 318i e30 (its got the m40 in it at the moment) does anyone have any suggestions on this?

Mainly i'm concerned about the mounting for the time being, electrics will be the other big issue, but one bridge at a time!

Dont suppose anyone has any expirence with such a swap?

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: StreetSpec_iS on April 25, 2006, 06:05:53 AM

Hi Lachlan.

I'm pretty sure the mounting is bolt up, provided you use an e30 sump for clearance.

other than that, you will need the full m44 loom and ecu.

One thing i'm not sure about is gearbox. do the older getrags bolt up to the later motors? anyone?

Il let others chime in with more specific details.

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: doigal on April 25, 2006, 07:46:45 AM

Thanks for that mate! If the gearbox fits that'd be awesome, but i'm not expecting it to mate up. Does the OBD2 of the m44 provide a massive problem? or is it just fitting the new ECU and wiring in somewhere?

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: Febi Guibo on April 26, 2006, 12:01:15 PM

I'm talking general OBDI vs II issues here, but OBDII wise, I would check out what E30 guys do re: an S50/S52 swap.

My hunch is that you are definitely going to have to convert to OBDI.

OBDII has a bunch of extra sensors (oxygen, ignition/spark, + EWS ) and yer going to want to take a long look at the ignition system and the fuel rail too.

Some of the OBDII electronics are dealer only items... which is a major pain.

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: doigal on April 26, 2006, 10:26:28 PM

I'm guessing then it would be far easier to get an e36 version of the m42 then? That skips all the electronics of OBD2 and still gives the knock sensors right?

is there any info on what the gear box situtation is?

Thanks in advance!

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: bm318ist on May 04, 2006, 07:27:52 PM

hi my name is rohan and i am from new york.I did the swap on my car! I used a 1996 318ti motor.the easiest way is to use everything from the 91 318is(m42) the oil pan,pulleys, motor mounts,tranny,computer from the 91 and both harness from the 91 and 96. it will drop right in!(you will have to wire the two harness to each other) it is not that bad,it is mostly color for color. I can send you the wiring diagram for both computers!!!!!

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: doigal on May 05, 2006, 09:30:26 AM

Rohan you are a god. Nothing short of that mate.

I would love any sort of detailed info that you can send me, but if your ever in australia, I owe you a beer!!!

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: xsjado on November 29, 2006, 10:16:01 AM

does this mean im in trouble if i cant find a proper sump to fit, and how to convert to OBD1?im doing the same swap..m40 to m44....

Title: m44 into e30 swap
Post by: cravo on January 01, 2007, 07:52:39 PM

Hi. I don´t know if this suits anyone but i´ll post it anyway...
A friend of mine has an E36 318i and made the swap for the m42 engine. The only things he used from the wracked E36 318is (donor car) was the engine and ecu, the wiring loom remained the same. Don´t remember if he swapped the gearbox too... sorry.