JOLLE21 - M42 Swap - 1980 320i - E21

[Darky]

Hello
Beautiful build.
Why have you got the rocket cover breather going into the sump?
Bribing the wife worked then I guess!
Cheers

[jolle21]

Now that's some progress! I'm jealous of your sunshine and your little car too! Up my way, everything is steel gray for four solid months.

I just picked up another project - an old motorcycle - so any E21/M42 stuff will have to wait. Once I flip the bike (it's an old Kawasaki Eliminator 600) I'll have enough time (and maybe money) to do an E21 318iS. It'll also depend on the levels of rust and decay I discover inside my antiques.

Thanks Dave! Please post some pics of your Kawasaki Eliminator 600 build. I'm sure there's more people than just myself that'd be interested on your progress. If you have a link to your build, shoot it over. I'd love to see how its coming along.

I think you'll be able to do the M42/E21 swap in a weekends worth of time. Most of the needed components are best used from the E30 318is. Engine, Tranny, Tranny Crossmember, Driveshaft+CSB, ECU, Radiator, and Igintion Coils are all you really need.

Very little modification needed. At least compared to other swaps I've seen.

[jolle21]

Hello
Beautiful build.
Why have you got the rocket cover breather going into the sump?
Bribing the wife worked then I guess!
Cheers

lol, its an illusion. The vacuum hose from the valve cover is going to the throttle body, but in the picture, the oil dip stick tube blends in with the hose.

[jolle21]

Working on wiring at this point, but also pending other parts that i need. In the meantime, for the sake of an update...

I got a hold of some 15x7, et15, D-Force SPEC-E30 wheels. They're light weight. This will make up in what i lack in horsepower.







Not a flashy kind of guy, so i opted to go with a discreet look. One day I'll have some nice daily driving wheels...but not right now.

Since i am using this car for the track, i also got a hold of some solid transmission mounts from UUC for the Getrag 240.



I should have a few more updates this weekend. Wife is going to her sister's 

[hideurdaughters]

Loving this build so far! Keep it up!

[jolle21]

thank you! it's a fun build. I think everyone should do it 

I finished up my rear end this weekend.









- Swapped out the 320i Trailing Arms for Euro 323i Trailing Arms.

- Swapped out the 3:91:1 Open Differential to a 3:91:1 Limited Slip Differential.

- Swapped out the Euro 323i Calipers/Rotors for E30 325i Calipers/Rotors.

My car has an identity crisis. It thinks its an E30 

[Beeker1972]

Are going to euro the car?

[jolle21]

Are going to euro the car?

probably not. I do like the euro-spec e21s, but, this is my track toy...dont want to damage those rare, pretty, chrome euro bumpers.

[Beeker1972]

find someone who has those rare shiny chrome bumpers make some molds of them so you can make carbon fiber ones.

[Beeker1972]

What transmission are you going to use?  2002s and e21 uses cable driven speedometers ....

[jolle21]

What transmission are you going to use?  2002s and e21 uses cable driven speedometers ....

The Getrag 240 from the E30 M42. I'm going to use an electronic speedo/gps signal speedo. I'll probably put the sensor on the driveshaft.

Sorry for lagging with updates...

Engine starts and runs...few things I had to do was make a custom bracket to hold the coil packs. I'll eventually go with a COP setup, but this is good for now.



Here's a little before and after...



Relocated the battery to the trunk using 2 gauge cables...



Decided to go with a bumper tuck. Euro bumpers will have to wait...function over form...



Just need to mount the driveshaft and get some tires....



I should be rolling soon...rolling into the garage that is...I have plenty of work to do with the interior...



But I'm almost there....

[DesktopDave]

Outstanding, as usual! The rims are a nice counterpoint to the white bodywork.

[Beeker1972]

Like the 2002, E21s uses speedometer cables, but you're tacking it so no need of a speedometer.

[DirtyD]

Wow what a beautiful build! That M42 looks MUCH more at home then the other... This makes me want to buy up an e21 and do this same swap. Thanks for the inspiration, and keep up the good work. Any recent updates? How is it coming along?

[Miami]

Great work keep it update please.