Author Topic: Need advice on engine. (Read 3104 times)

D. Clay · « **on:** January 11, 2008, 09:23:25 PM »

My M42 has blown a head gasket and has over 200,000 miles on it. I am probably going ahead and just replace the engine. I have several friends in the salvage business that will buy a wrecked 318 for me and let me pull the engine and then resell the car. Wrecked, they go for about 10-15% of retail or about $600 to $1500. After reselling the car, I would have a very low cost engine with a lot fewer miles. A 10 year old Roadster retails for $10K and a 318 sedan/coupe for about $7500.
My question is: Out of the different M42 and M44 motors, which would you consider the most desirable. I plan on swapping oil pans and intakes and keeping all of the 1991 318is electronics.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2008, 12:00:53 AM »

an M44 would mean lower millage and a little better engineering (i believe bmw do modify their engine for good reasons) although you said you wanted to keep the electronics.

i'd go S14 :p

D. Clay · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2008, 01:19:44 PM »

Only problem with an S14 is that big price tag.
To keep the E30 electronics I would need to swap the intake manifold and engine wiring harness and a few other things (sensors,etc.) - nothing is as simple as it seems when you're only thinking about it. What has a 1.9L motor in it and/or most HP and torque? I could look through all sorts of specs but I figure somebody here would know off the top of their head.

m44power · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2008, 04:15:47 PM »

you cant keep e30 electronics with m44 engine there is a big different in the cam sensor maybe you can swap the front cover and cam gear but im not sure if is bolt on

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2008, 05:20:42 PM »

Quote from: D. Clay;41091

Only problem with an S14 is that big price tag.
To keep the E30 electronics I would need to swap the intake manifold and engine wiring harness and a few other things (sensors,etc.) - nothing is as simple as it seems when you're only thinking about it.

that was more of a daydream than a suggestion

M44B19: 103 kW (138 hp) @ 6000 / 180 N�m (133 ft�lbf) @ 4300
m42b18: (e30) 100 kW (136 PS) @ 6000 / 172 N�m (127 ft�lbf) @ 4600
m42b18: (early e36) 103 kW (140 PS) @ 6000 / 175 N�m (129 ft�lbf) @ 4500

i think you should spend more time trying to find an engine in good condition with lower millage rather than a specific one as any of those are well engineered engines

D. Clay · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2008, 05:34:58 PM »

I am getting dumb and dumber. realoem doesn't help as they show the same illustrations for M42's and M44's.
If I use the M44 electronics, do I only need the M44 engine wiring harness and ECU.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2008, 05:41:45 PM »

M44 is OBDII M42 E30 are OBDI
different sensors, more sensors; then i'd say different harnesses
i'm not swap expert but i belive you'd have to change everything

as m44power said, maybe there is a way to trick the sensors or replace them by the OBDI parts

D. Clay · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2008, 05:50:38 PM »

I had searched previously and found nothing. However, I searched the web and found a link to M42club under "Engine Management"