ForcedFirebird has gone to the dark side.

[ForcedFirebird]

Hello all. Been poking in here now and again for years. Some of you might recognize my username from various e30 forums, but actually just purchased my first 4 cyl BMW to make into a daily.

Will have to get some pics up, but basically it's a decently clean one-owner m44-powered automatic e36 sedan with a blown head gasket - maybe cracked head, pretty sure it was hydro locked (one cyl is full of coolant). I'm in the middle of an m42>s54 swap for a local customer at my shop so I have an m42/g240 package that I would like to plop in place of the m44/slushbox.

Hoping it will be as simple as grabbing an OBD1 e36/m42 engine harness (have the e30 harness on the customer drop out), e36 style shift carrier rod and e36/m42 A/C lines.

Any pointers ahead of time would be great.

-J

[colin86325]

Welcome aboard!  Hopefully you will enjoy the M42.  There are some decent upgrades as I'm sure you will discover on this site.

[1998ccc]

Welcome.

I'm surprised you're not installing a spec e30 M20 lol

Do you have smog laws?  All 96 up OBD2 cars here are plugged up at inspection with data sent to Raleigh.

I prefer the M42 over the M20 in an e30.  With the extra weight of the e36, hopefully you'll be happy with the M42.

[ForcedFirebird]

Welcome aboard!  Hopefully you will enjoy the M42.  There are some decent upgrades as I'm sure you will discover on this site.

Thanks! I have worked on a many an m42, just never owned one.

Welcome.

I'm surprised you're not installing a spec e30 M20 lol

Do you have smog laws?  All 96 up OBD2 cars here are plugged up at inspection with data sent to Raleigh.

I prefer the M42 over the M20 in an e30.  With the extra weight of the e36, hopefully you'll be happy with the M42.

Trust me, the thought of an m20 e36 is appealing, and I have voiced it out loud more than once. Wouldn't be a spec motor, though, it would be some sort of fun stroker, maybe turbo.

No smog in FL. It's just going to be my appliance/commuter, doesn't need a lot of power.  Friend owed me a favor for letting him use a floor lift at the shop to do a motor swap. Asked if I would take the car as payment, so we agreed.

Have wheels and coils for it, along with some glass headlights and an m3 rear bumper. Have a cracked front m3 bumper, may just get an aftermarket. Once the swap is done and running, will just need to purchase tires. Been shopping for an m42 harness. Nothing has come up local yet. Figure even if I was to pay a premium on evilbay, wont have more than a few hundred bucks into the car all said and done. Hoping to keep the a/c blowing cold too. It's hot here in south FL.

-J

[downforce22]

welcome, the 4 bangers are lovely little engines