Author Topic: Racing an M42 (Read 4735 times)

robertm · « **on:** January 18, 2010, 09:53:48 AM »

Have a few very simple questions. We're building a 318is to endurance race and engine wiill remain almost totally stock. Have tons of experiance with s14s but the m42 is still new to me. Sorry for the simple questions.

First, oil. Plan on running redline 20w50. Is that the visc. these engines like on track?

Second, is there a need to baffle the oil pan on these cars?

Third, do you guys over fill at all or just fill to top of dipstick guage?

Fouth, any glaring thing that has to be done to these motors before tracking them?

We've already gone through all the hoses and vacuum lines, dropped both pans and retightened everything. Please, feel offer any other adivice with regards to tracking M42. As I said before its a new engine to me and any tips/recomendations are appreciated.

Thanks.

longms · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:59:52 AM »

I am interested in this topic as well...couple things that come to mind (I have never tracked this motor either so take what I say with a grain of salt). Check over the radiator really well because that is a huge faulty area in the design of the car and would possibly update to all aluminum radiator. Maybe and oil cooler?

I am not an expert in this area just giving my 2 cents.

Just curious but what suspension are you thinking about running?

strypt · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2010, 11:37:40 AM »

Hi, I have used the M42 for trackdays for about 8 years now. Both as turbocharged and N/A. Here are my opinions about your questions.

Oil: I've been using a good quality, fully syntetic 5W-50 oil. No bearing failures yet. Don't have much experience of the Redline 20w50 but the cold viscosity sounds a bit thick? I also would not go over 50 warm visco as the oil then probably would get too hot.

Oil baffle: I'd recommend using one, especially if you have lots of grip and are fast

Oil level: I've been filling just to the top.

An oil cooler is nice, especially if you are using a thicker oil. I've installed a standard E30 325 oil cooler and my oil temp during trackdays does not exceed ~100-105 degrees C even with a turbo.

I have no experience with failing radiators, maybe I've been lucky and/or longms unlucky?

robertm · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2010, 12:08:18 PM »

Thanks for the input. Where did ya find a pan baffle? I looked on VAC, BW, Turner and Ireland. Didn't see anything off the shelf though. Or did ya just fab something up?

Will defintely plum in a factory cooler once it gets warmer!

Appreciate the help:D

longms · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2010, 12:26:51 PM »

I definitely have been having bad luck with the coolant system and see signs of potentially small leaks around the radiator but I am sure if I replaced all of the gasket and such those would probably go away.

strypt · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2010, 12:50:49 AM »

I'm not using one

but I'll make one when I put my new 2.0L engine together.

dwtaylorpdx · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2010, 01:11:05 AM »

I thought the M42 for E36 had a baffled tray stock. But if your running a E30 I suspect its to the custom shop for you!

Dave

dvmotorsports · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2010, 12:24:50 PM »

I have E30 M42's now. But when I had an E36 M42 I had some issues. A pan baffle will help greatly. Since I wasn't able to do that, I ran a half quart over full. If I ran at full or less and went to the track, I had terrible lifter tick. Anything over 40w in Cali during summer is asking for problems. I'll never do that again. I don't know what your climate is like wherever you are, so I cannot give you good advice on that. I dunno how intense your build is or if you're just stock. So just chip it and leave the motor as is except the dropping the lower pan and tightening up the oil pick up bolts.

xwill112x · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2010, 05:57:03 PM »

chip it, remove the exhaust behind the cat, intake, SSK, call it done.

fabe · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2010, 02:10:58 AM »

Quote from: dwtaylorpdx;85099

I thought the M42 for E36 had a baffled tray stock. But if your running a E30 I suspect its to the custom shop for you!

Dave

It's just a windage tray.. different from a baffle... and the tray is secured onto the oil pan.. And I know for sure the E36 M42 oil pan can't fit into the E30....

Anyway, it ain't rocket science doing an E30 oil baffle.. Google for oil baffle and see the different type of designs and u can design your own... Just need someone to weld it in place...

I have a spare oil pan, will do that when I finally get to it.. It's on my todo-list but further down.. haha...