Messages

1

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Re: 91 318i M42 swapped with M44 OBD2

« on: September 19, 2015, 12:21:47 PM »

benz-tech -       Are you aware if the crank bolt is torque to yield? Some have said it is a one-torque item.


Can anyone confirm if I will need to swap cam gears if I'm running the M42 cover and sensor? If so I might as well do the guides, etc as well.

2

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Re: 91 318i M42 swapped with M44 OBD2

« on: September 15, 2015, 11:32:55 AM »

Thanks for all the input guys. I am already loving this forum.

I've already been through the M44B19. While I'm not thrilled about the cast bottom end it turned out to be a pretty clean motor. I will still be using the E30 M42 harness. In time I intend to pull the M42 apart and rebuild it and possibly swap it back in or find a 2002.

I still have yet to pull the timing cover off of the M42 since apparently I have to pull the M42's exhaust cam sprocket and its cover to go on the M44. I wasn't anticipating to have that issue but it is what it is.

As for the serpentine system it will remain. The donor includes all accessories including the R134 compressor but for now it won't be going on the car, just the P/S and Alt. I'm also waiting on my electric fan and shroud to get here which will also get tied in with the coolant temp sensor. I'm thinking of using the M44 sensor and possibly a relay to operate the fan as opposed to resorting to a probe.

Anyone have a pic of a cam sensor bracket that they've created for this swap?

Since I mentioned the cast rotating assembly can anyone venture as to how stout it is or if I should go ahead and plan on swapping the M44 head back onto the rebuilt M42 block?

3

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Re: 91 318i M42 swapped with M44 OBD2

« on: September 11, 2015, 01:42:46 PM »

That was actually QUITE helpful. Using the M42 timing cover did't even dawn on me until you mentioned it. I am working on a bracket for the crank sensor. As for the exh cam sprocket that also didn't cross my mind. The M44 has around 145k on it so I may as well do the timing kit anyway.

I'm not too terribly worried about the temp sensor as of yet. I'm hoping that I can run the M42's sensor.

4

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / 91 318i M42 swapped with M44 OBD2

« on: September 10, 2015, 05:14:38 PM »

Hello gang and thanks for having me. I'm a looooong time Bimmer owner/enthusiast however this is my first foray into the world of the 318. So here goes...

I bought a 91 318i sedan with the M42 a few months ago. Nearly 400k on it but plenty of receipts and aside from the usual noisy top end it ran fine. That is until the notorious sump bolts let go. Well, there goes that motor. I ended up with the M44 from a late E36 318i after doing a V8 swap. Now I'm elbow deep into swapping the M44 into my little daily. Yes, I know the M42 is forged and much more appropriate but this is the daily and this is just how it is. The M42 will be rebuilt and eventually back into the car as a poor mans S14. From hours of Google searching it's obvious that no one really ever does this swap. The M44 is cast bottom end and even still the entire world screams for M50/S50 swaps into these cars. I already have a big six car and Id like to keep the 318 as Bavaria intended. I will be running the stock M42 loom and ECU. So here goes with what I know and then with where my concerns are.

I'm aware that the intake and exhaust manifolds along with the sump have to be swapped however I have noticed two interesting things.

 - cam sensor will not fit into the M44 head (it bottoms out before the sensor sits flush)
 - crank sensor is of course on the back of the M44 as opposed to the front of the M42 at the chain case. Just extend the loom and voila?

Alright so now that theres some backdrop I really need the M42 gurus to guide an M20 guy into this murky world of the M42. Being that my E30 is a late model (OBD1) but the motor is a late E36 (OBD2) just what will I be running into electronics wise? Ive already sorted the manifolds, pan, auxiliaries and cooling.

- Is the E36 cam sensor going to have the same plug? (cant tell from pics)
- Will I have any issues with the C101?



I know this post is a bit of a mess but these little motors (of which I have grown to love immensely) are quite different than the M20 and M30 motors that I'm accustomed to. Any help is very VERY appreciated.


Cheers,

         Brandon