M42 build for E36 Compact

[MrPhatBob]

ohh right ok fair enough, im from the uk aswell btw and ive built my compact up for road rallying so im looking for tourque rather than a revy engine! but im still at the starting stage really of my build so got plenty of time to view my options

what is involved in converting the m44 to m42? im guessing not a big job as youll be on thottle bodies?

also do you know what is the uk equivelent to the mustang injector upgrade they have?

cheers
sion

Converting to the M42 should be straightforward as I am going to run an aftermarket ECU - so things like EWS are not going to be an issue for me. Everything else should be pretty much bolt in, as I understand that the blocks are almost exactly the same.

For injectors and so on, I'm using the M3 ones that I got with the ITBs, if I use more power than they deliver I'll take a look at what Bosch do as a direct replacement.

It seems like there are a few of these engines being used for rallying in the UK. Good to see it, if you have any questions or need to find parts then give me a shout I have sourced pretty much everything.

[MrPhatBob]

The measuring of shims was too boring to photograph, seriously it was dull as hell, and the shim grinding is going to be even more tedious.

But I sorted the clearance issue in the cam bridge


The ball nose cutter took out the ridge but I ended up using a carbide cutter to remove enough material in the right places.

[Darky]

Hi
You using 35 mm (m42) or 33 mm (s50&m52) cam trays?
Thanks Rohan

[MrPhatBob]

Everything is M42, I'd never considered using a 6 cylinder one - is that something that's usually used?

[Darky]

Hi
Using 33 mm cam trays is quite easy.
One side is literally just cut 2 cylinders off.
The other requires a little bit of welding to add some material on. YouTube it!
Lightens up the valve train nicely.
Cheers Rohan

[Warsteiner]

There are a few more clearancing issues that are minor and since you're tackling the area where the lobes transition, the rest should be a breeze for you. You also need to drill a new hole for the upper chain rail guide as well. But yes there is a little welding involved for oil routing.

Cheers,
~Ralph

[MrPhatBob]

It struck me that the only problem with a smaller diameter follower is that I wouldn't be able to use the cams I have at the moment - the lobes are at the very edge of the standard lifter as it currently is.

I may look at options when/if I do try an evolution of the head design, apparently the 5mm stemmed  M3 S65 valves and valve train are the way ahead for more flow.

[wazzu70]

On a high revving engine with aggressive lobe profiles I would keep the bigger diameter lifters for sure. You need the larger surface area.

Focus on making the lifters lighter, not smaller diameter (and lighter).

[MrPhatBob]

Yep the followers are nice light coated jobs. I put the new valve train weights somewhere in this rambling thread

[MrPhatBob]

Ground more shims, with varying levels of success

Shim grinding is not much fun at all.
This thing:

This is fun

[MrPhatBob]

More parts have arrived, the Mocal stuff meant I could put the remote filter/cooler take-off plate on the engine:


And the Cometic head gasket arrived meaning I could put the head on:

[MrPhatBob]

One problem... When I put the chain tensioner in place, it actually gets to the point where it locks the engine up - anyone have any clues as to what might be going wrong?

[colin86325]

Can you turn the engine over without the tensioner?

[benz-tech]

Sounds like you have a link doubled up on the crankshaft. If so, your timing could be off too. If it's on the rt side of the engine you might need to roll it backwards to free it up.

[MrPhatBob]

Turned out to be a problem with the tensioner - which I stripped and repaired, it works, but there's no reason to use it so will be buying a new one along with a crank pulley bolt.
But at least I can set the cam timing:


The cams are quite mental, cam overlap? Yes it has plenty of that: 4.3mm on the inlet with 3.7mm on exhaust at TDC.