Asterian

[Asterian]

Hi! My name is Roman. Currently leaving in sunny Odessa/Ukraine.
Owning E30 for more than 5 years. Almost 1 year ago M10->M42 swap was performed.
Lets start with some pics. Now my car looks like:

[Asterian]

Some new pics from last night:

[Asterian]

And some from past:

[romkasponka]

Hi Asterian,

Welcome aboard!

Personally me I do not like your car design

In your place i would go for Alpina or M-tech 1 body kit, one color paint and some nice R15J8 wheels.






How do you like M42 engine (after M10 probably)?

[Asterian]

I'm also dont like current design, maybe at summer time I will put white color back. 
But In first priority I'm concentrated on technical side now - vibration/exhaust drone at around 2800 rpm is making me crazy and taking all pleasure from driving away.

[romkasponka]

Looks like valve-train job is awaiting you. At ~3000rpm chain starts to makenoise due to worn parts and if you rev it more it disappears. Often it is guides, sprockets, chain and tensioner and it is not cheap to replace all of them.

[Asterian]

Very sadly if all described above will be real cause, however, my engine dont making excessive noise at this rpm, just vibrating. If chain will need to be replaced, I think that instead of this job I will better buy complete engine again. Set from E36 overhere will cost around 800 Usd.

Feelings with M42 after M10 are not what I was expecting. More HP is great, but my M10 was running more smooth. Plus fuel consumption (within city) are same for both engines. This I cannt understand - how Carburetor engine can take same fuel amount that Motronic setup.

[romkasponka]

Very sadly if all described above will be real cause, however, my engine dont making excessive noise at this rpm, just vibrating. If chain will need to be replaced, I think that instead of this job I will better buy complete engine again. Set from E36 overhere will cost around 800 Usd.

Feelings with M42 after M10 are not what I was expecting. More HP is great, but my M10 was running more smooth. Plus fuel consumption (within city) are same for both engines. This I cannt understand - how Carburetor engine can take same fuel amount that Motronic setup.

Even if you will buy other engine nobody will give you warranty that there will be no chain noise. It is common problem with m42. Normaly you should replace chain, sprockets, tensioner and probably some guides. All parts cost around 250-300Eu. The same price like complete engine in Lithuania. M10 is realy good engine (base for s14) with big bore and big valves. I had one long time ago. My E30 318is was consuming ~9l/100km in the town.

[Asterian]

For a current moment I will hope that its not chain.
First would like to try/check following:
1) In a week time I will get camshaft alignment tool to put correct camshafts position. (Now its aligned with 1-2 degree tolerance (already got engine like this));
2) Would like to install OEM type exhaust/currently I use m20 twinpipe.

P.S. More exactly - vibration/drone happening at 2500 rpm. 

[Asterian]

My past M10:

My current M42:

[Asterian]

To release my crazy design ideas 2 years ago I have tried to make my car looks like "Black&White Umbrella Corp Car". Maybe OEM Alpinweiss color was better, but that period I was happy to create something new for me.

[keflaman]

Hi Asterian,

Thanks for posting pictures of your car. It's always interesting to see how enthusiasts from around the world modify and maintain their vehicles.

[Asterian]

So finally vibration issue solved by removing non-stock exhaust bracket.
Now I'm really enjoying driving with this engine.

Ater this most interesting question for me its fuel consumption:
Highway - 7 ltr / 100 Km
City (high traffic) - 14 ltr / 100 Km

For comparison my past carburetor M10:
Highway - 8 ltr / 100 Km
City (high traffic) - 14 ltr / 100 Km (same figure)

Diff is 3.91

[Asterian]

After final paint job: