M44 engine with m42 harness?

[618e36]

New to the forum couldn't find anything on this specific topic hoping someone here can help.
I had a 94 318is I picked up with no motor or trans. Just dme harness and the body.
I picked up a complete engine and trans from a 96 318i. My car had the m42 and new motor is m44.
I don't have the harness or ecu for the motor.
My question is what all do I need to acquire from the m42 motor to make this work?
Do I need all new sensors from a m42? If so will they be direct fit?
Can I use the intake and t.b and maf sensor from the m44 with the dme from my m42?
Also from what BMW said my car was coil on plug but I have the coil pack from the m44 and my harness I have has a spot that plugs into it does this mean it will work or no?
Sorry if this has been covered somewhere here already and feel free to point me in that direction if so. Thanks in advance for any help!
Just trying to get my car going...

[benz-tech]

1) You will need a harness from an M42 car, since many of the sensors are different, ie. cam, crank, temp
2) You can't run a MAF on a stock M42 system, - you would need EVERYTHING from the donor car to make that work.
3) IIRC there is only one coolant temp hole on the M44 head - with a 4-prong sensor. My late M42 head had 2 separate sensors. I don't know if the 4 prong sensor is compatible with the M42 or instrument cluster.
4) M44 uses a one-piece coil pack, cant comment on the M42.
5) As long as the M42 IAC valve is on the throttle body like the M44, I see no reason why that wouldn't work.

HTH

[618e36]

Yea I've noticed today after messing with it for a little. The knock sensors are also different but no worries the m42 knock sensor is direct replacement. I read somewhere about one having iac ran on vacuum on the m42 vs electronic on the newer m44.
Just trying to prevent replacing anything not needed to be is all.
Also I read in another forum about the crank and cam sensors being in different locations and makes me question if the sensor for the m42 will bolt right on or is there more to it?
I honestly have no concern with temp sensor working unless the dme requires it to run properly. I just want it driveable. Check engine lights and emissions are no concern for a 94 here in Illinois.
Thanks for the help though.
So does no maf on the m42 mean its similar to say a 86 mustang gt? Meaning no maf so nothing but a tube and filter after the t.b??
That's a plus if so I know maf sensor for any BMW wouldn't be cheap.
Knock sensors are like $80 ea so I can only imagine lol
I'm debating whether or not finishing this car next week or just buying another e36 I found on Craigslistid like mine finished but at this point with having no daily driver I might just spend the $1000 on this other car and just sell the engine and trans I have and keep my 318is for a parts car...
Idk just been over a month now trying to find a definitive answer as to how or what I need to finish this. I know I can't be the only one who's done this swap but starting to think I may be lol

[618e36]

And yea unfortunately my 318 was a stock coil on plug so there's another $200+ there lol
$400 for the sensors. Cam crank knock sensors and o2..
Then still need intakes upper and lower from m42 @ $170/ea shipped to my house.
And to top that off I need front driveshaft piece or will have to pay to have the front piece from the 4door donor car cut down and balanced at a machine shop. Another $150+
Then I don't have the title so have to pay extra $120 in addition to the $250 it costs to License n title it..
So in the end I'll be looking at $2000+ just to save a $1500 car lol..
Starting to consider this being a lost cause like the ford 5.0 swap for these cars lbvs

[benz-tech]

All M42's use a vane air flow meter. MAF and AFM systems are incompatible.  If my old 91 afm is the same as yours,  I can sell it to you for cheap.  Also I believe the intake manifolds are the same on all e36 4 cyls. 

[dlduke]

Thought I'd dredge up this topic. If the OBD1 engine ('95) is available for parts, is there a way to transfer necessary parts such as intake, cam and crank sensors, over to the OBD2 ('98) engine and turn it into an OBD1 engine? Or is it more complicated than that?