Author Topic: M42/M44 question (Read 3196 times)

ClayW · « **on:** January 26, 2011, 10:55:02 AM »

Can one swap longblocks between M42s and M44s?

Hear me out:

I'm currently gathering parts to swap an M42 and Getrag 240 into my `67 BMW 1600. The brake booster in the car requires that I use the E30 M42 intake over the E36 style. My question is; if I blow up the motor that I currently have, is it possible to swap out the longblock with the M44?

More simply, can one run an M44 using an E30 M42 wiring harness, intake and exhaust?

Flame suit: On.

jakeb · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2011, 11:27:05 AM »

The short answer is yes...
You will need to find a spot for the temp sensor for the 1600 and then swap over everything from the e30 m42 to the m44. Including the front crank pullley. it has a toothed wheel and the m44 has the pickup at the flywheel side. The m44 is a 1.9 engine so the tuning might be a little off but that shouldn't really matter.

About 15 years ago I had 318is and snapped the timing chain and replaced the engine with a m44 from a 97 318ti. It ran and drove fine with the e30 bits.

Shoot me an email if you have other questions about the swap. Are you getting close?

ClayW · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2011, 11:59:38 AM »

Quote from: jakeb;100883

The short answer is yes...
You will need to find a spot for the temp sensor for the 1600 and then swap over everything from the e30 m42 to the m44.

The temp sensor on the M42 won't work through the c101 connector?

I'll shoot you an email when I get closer to actually swapping. I'm sure that I'll have a list of questions by then!

jakeb · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:43:19 AM »

The m42 temp sensor will work but it won't match the stock 1600/2002 gauge. I normally use the stock temp sensor from the m10 in the port on the m42 head. The m44 only uses one sensor for both the motronic and the gauge where as the m42 uses two.

ClayW · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:12:22 AM »

Quote from: jakeb;100912

The m42 temp sensor will work but it won't match the stock 1600/2002 gauge. I normally use the stock temp sensor from the m10 in the port on the m42 head. The m44 only uses one sensor for both the motronic and the gauge where as the m42 uses two.

Ah.....got it. If I went to the M44, then I'd need to drill and tap a port for a 2002 temp sensor. Somewhere, I've got the proper drill bit and tap for it....glad that I held on to that set!

Mostly, I just wanted to keep my options open. I have no reason to suspect that the M42 that I have won't run, but it's nice to know that I can swap longblocks with any M42 or M44. There are a lot of them around.