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

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: jakeb on June 05, 2008, 12:39:19 PM

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: jakeb on June 05, 2008, 12:39:19 PM

So my e30 is nearing 200k and is starting to burn oil as well as feel a little less than 100%.  The clutch is near the end of its life too.  So I am looking for options.

The m42 will stay.  So no m50 swap or anything like that.

But do I just find a low mileage m42 and swap it in?  anyone have one?
Or rebuild what I have?  stock or upgraded?

I have another car I can drive while the e30 is down but I would prefer to not have it down long.  The other car also has a m42 tho....but a 2002.

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: jakeb on June 08, 2008, 08:19:46 AM

no suggestions?  What sort of cost would I have in a m44 crank stroker?  What would I run for engine management?

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: Wise Old Dog on June 08, 2008, 01:14:20 PM

Depends on how deep your pockets are. Low mileage M42, good luck finding one. More likely you'll find one in the 120k-160k range. Probably your cheapest bet.
M44 stroker, well it depends on how much your crank costs. You might as well get the pistons also. +1mm on the bore and shorter also for the longer stroke. We just did one for about $1500, but we got a deal on the parts.
If you don't have to buy new pistons, rebuild the one you have, if you have to buy new pistons, M44 stroker is your best bet money wise.
If money doesn't matter, there's always metric mechanic.

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: jakeb on June 09, 2008, 10:46:46 PM

can you give me a list of parts needed for a m44 stroker?  Also what would I need to run for engine managment?  stock ecu and a chip or??

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: Wise Old Dog on June 09, 2008, 11:15:13 PM

Crank, Pistons from a M44 + all the other standard rebuild stuff.  Stock ecu

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: jakeb on June 10, 2008, 10:14:27 PM

m42 or m44 rods?  Is there a very big increase on performance?  Does your ecu have a chip?  Or just stock?

I am pricing out a rebuild and it doesn't look all that bad in cost.  I did a m10 and it was more than what the m42 is looking.

jake

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: 1991318is on June 10, 2008, 10:26:56 PM

I'd build a motor for sure. Buying a used motor like that, nothing saying it hasn't been treated like crap and will be running poorly soon after install. Might as well start fresh, youll know exactly how the motor's been and have no questions about that stuff.

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: jakeb on June 10, 2008, 10:30:56 PM

yeah i think that is the best idea.  It doesn't look like it will be all that much to just rebuild it myself and then it will have 0 miles and be good to go as they say.  I have built engines before and feel confident building another.

Jake

Title: what to do.... new engine soon
Post by: 1991318is on June 10, 2008, 10:35:16 PM

Quote from: jakeb;51025

yeah i think that is the best idea.  It doesn't look like it will be all that much to just rebuild it myself and then it will have 0 miles and be good to go as they say.  I have built engines before and feel confident building another.

Jake

Yeah, I love building motors, its relaxing and fun knowing how much people pay to have it done yet it takes such little time to do it all yourself.