Wiring for E36 swap into E30

[Jay-Vee]

Hi,

If I'm looking to swap an E36 M42 into an E30 (M40), which ECU/loom/harness etc etc should I be using? I've already got the E30, and there's plenty of E36 around here to pick from.

This is the first real project I've tackled so I'm still trying to get my head around how it works with the way the ignition/wiring/loom/ancillaries etc connect up...

Cheers.

[SkidMark]

Hello.. are you using the e36 disa manifold or are you swaping all of the e30 parts on to the e36 longblock? If the latter, use the e30 harness and die. If you plan on dropping in the complete e36 m42 in to an e30 you will need to use the e36 harness and dme and graft it into the e30 harness.. hope this helps....Skid

[Jay-Vee]

I'm looking to just drop the whole E36 M42 in there with it's intake manifold too, so thanks for the tip I'll avoid the hell of the E30 harness!

[Esprit Motorsports]

The e36 intake manifold won't fit under the hood of the e30. The oil pan and engine mounts will be required from an e30 as well. The entire e36 wiring harness can be used. It may be possible to run it on the M40 harness but you would lose knock sensor capability. I'm not sure if the Motronic versions are similar.

I have 2) e36 engines that run hanging on an engine hoist. One will be changed over soon to fit the e30. I will tery to answer any questions you may have.

[Jay-Vee]

The e36 intake manifold won't fit under the hood of the e30. The oil pan and engine mounts will be required from an e30 as well. The entire e36 wiring harness can be used. It may be possible to run it on the M40 harness but you would lose knock sensor capability. I'm not sure if the Motronic versions are similar.

I have 2) e36 engines that run hanging on an engine hoist. One will be changed over soon to fit the e30. I will tery to answer any questions you may have.

Wow I haven't heard that about the intake before, and I've been trying to do a fair bit of research on these swaps...
I'll be really interested to hear how you go with your swap so I'll wait to see some posts!

The intake situation a pretty big factor for me as E30 M42 intake manifolds are really hard to come by here.
Really hoping I can use the E36 one!