Need info on m42 to m44 swap from someone who knows

[Randyb]

I have a blown m42 engine and found a really good m44 with half as many miles. If this engine doesn't go in the car is going to the scrap heap. I want to put the M44 engine in, use the m42 manifolds, sensors and DME.
I have already found that the crank and the cam sensor are in different positions than the M42, can I leave them where they are and possibly change the connectors so they plug back into my OBD1 system.
I need to make this work, would really like to hear from someone who has done this, I'm sure its been done, I just need to know all the things I need to change over.
Thanks
Randy

[torell]

it's not that easy m44 use a siemens dme when m42 use bosch. U need entire engine wiring with sensors with m44 dme

[wazzu70]

What the guy above me said. Basically no way to easily do what you want. Sourcing an M44 engine harness and DME would be the easy way to go.

[Randyb]

I have the DME out of the car that the M44 engine came out of and it is also a Bosch, same as what is in my M42 car so it still seems like it should work.
Randy

[pvl 318is]

don't forget that on M44's they used the chipped key and ring antenna (the EWS system) in the steeringcolumn for anti theft purposes.
if you take those out of the donor car aswell you should be able to make it work i guess.
i've seen multiple attempts for this swap but all ran into wiring and other electrical (possible EWS) problems.

try to find some of the same swaps on forums and make the decision if you think it is worth the hassle.

another option is to make a frankenstein motor with parts of both blocks and basically build up a fresh motor with new gaskets, bearings etc. maybe a nice opportunity to get some extra power out of it aswell

[wazzu70]

I have the DME out of the car that the M44 engine came out of and it is also a Bosch, same as what is in my M42 car so it still seems like it should work.
Randy

It does not work like that at all. Both ECUs are made by Bosch but they have completely different internals.

[bmwcaw91]

Not trying to highjack thread but can you use M42 motor from a 95 318ti switch into an E30 with M42? Any major differences? Thanks for help.

[Randyb]

I`m not entirely certain about the differences between the E36 and the E30 but your 95 engine should be an OBD1 engine which your E30 should be as well. If that is the case it should go in pretty easy. The M44 I put in my E36 was an OBD2 engine and I converted it back to OBD1. It wasn`t difficult but you need to pay attention. The body style on your E30 is different than the E36 so mounts etc may need to be swapped over for it to bolt into place.
Randy

[bmwcaw91]

Thanks for info. Had not thought about both on same obd's.

[dlduke]

Randyb, You said that you changed the OBD2 engine over to OBD1. Can you elaborate? Is it all about swapping easy to get to parts from the old engine or more complicated? Thanks.