Author Topic: REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap  (Read 15808 times)

Febi Guibo

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« on: April 26, 2006, 02:55:13 PM »
hey, there are a couple of threads re: putting the later model M42 or M44 engines in our cars.

While I'm not recommending renaming the forum M42/44Club.com, D. Clay pointed out that this would make a great topic for a writeup.

I know at least of a couple of you good folks have done it, at least with the E36 M42... anyone care to take a few minutes and write it up?

Even if it's only an outline with some notes, it would be real nice to see.

As I am woefully ignorant of all things OBDII, the M44 issues might be interesting also.
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jakeb

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2006, 04:31:34 PM »
Years ago I replaced an engine in my first BMW...which was a 318is...glass sunroof, is spoiler...for some reason i sold it, i was young and stupid and now I want it back.

I swaped the intake, valve cover, oil pan/pickup from the old to new engine.  It was pretty simple swap.

I was also wondering about using the full e36 m42.  Is there a way to convert the 1.9 m42 to obdI and get more...out of it?
http://www.classicdaily.net - swapping this into that
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doigal

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2006, 07:00:01 PM »
Will be watching this thread with great interest...

bmwman91

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2006, 02:07:51 PM »
Swapping to the 1994-1995 m42 head (or just valvetrani parts) is not a bad thing.  It uses 1mm shorter valve stems for reduced inertia.

A long time ago on Bimmerforums there was a guy somewhere in Europe who had a crazy turbo M42 in an E30, but it was actualy either an E36 M42, or an M44 I cannot remember.  I think it was the M44, which baffled me as its valvetrain is not as stout as the M42's (although it does have significantly less friction).

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nickmpower

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2006, 06:24:04 PM »
Quote from: jakeb
Years ago I replaced an engine in my first BMW...which was a 318is...glass sunroof, is spoiler...for some reason i sold it, i was young and stupid and now I want it back.

I swaped the intake, valve cover, oil pan/pickup from the old to new engine.  It was pretty simple swap.

I was also wondering about using the full e36 m42.  Is there a way to convert the 1.9 m42 to obdI and get more...out of it?


which computer did you use?

D. Clay

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Junk yard dog.
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2006, 10:17:30 PM »
I lurk around a yard here in Austin that has been into everything from stock cars, road racing, and even built the Lowrider Magazine  "Truck of the Year" a while back. I also know junk. Motors are usually sold on an exchange basis. Something to watch for is that yards cut lines, hoses, etc. that they figure you will use off of your present engine. In plain English they use side cutters and the torch a lot.
I would suggest trying to get a complete motor that was taken out by unplugging harnesses and disconnecting hoses and hardware properly. Motors are usually sold without accessories such A/C compressors, alternators, PS pumps, etc. It's easy to see where I'm going here as E36 M42's are serpentine belt and OBD1.  Something to keep in mind when sourcing parts. Of course you could stick all of your E30 stuff on there, too.

BrandC

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2006, 12:39:19 PM »
I've read that you can use an E36 variable intake manifold on our E30 M42's, but you cannot use E30 M42 intakes on E36's because it will not clear the hood.

If the E36 intake manifold is strictly vacuum operated and not an electrical switchover, maybe it can be used on our E30's?

zerofreez

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2006, 10:47:38 AM »
Its electrical.  You have to use a dme with that feature built in.

Its called a DISA.

christophbmw

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2006, 12:00:03 AM »
just curious.....why would you go through all the trouble for just a few more horespower (and torque)? some people do it for the DASC system but that can easily be retrofitted to the E30 m42. please enlighten me so i dont feel like an idiot on the subject, thanks.
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StreetSpec_iS

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2006, 12:23:46 AM »
availability. condition. newer motor in general. ra ra ra.

but you're right, it's not a mind blowing performance swap.
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BrandC

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2006, 05:35:44 AM »
Quote from: christophbmw
just curious.....why would you go through all the trouble for just a few more horespower (and torque)? some people do it for the DASC system but that can easily be retrofitted to the E30 m42. please enlighten me so i dont feel like an idiot on the subject, thanks.


If you want to turbocharge the M42, it's a lot safer with a knock-sensor equipped late model M42. It also has a serpentine belt setup, which I'm not even sure is compatible with an E30...

FL318is

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My head hurts!
« Reply #11 on: August 20, 2006, 05:49:20 PM »
This place is great!  I will one day be faced with who, what, where and when.  Until then I will read and learn from the exchange here.  My thoughts are, when the time comes I want to put an M3 engine in mine.  See the latest Roundel!

haledj

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2006, 01:29:39 PM »
If I am not mistaken bmw four bangers are available to this day in europe, what other options do we have there?  What about a engine from the new euro 320si?  Its probly not worth the expense.

vanghis109

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REQUEST: E36 M42/M44 swap
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2007, 11:08:57 PM »
so what all is needed in order to do this swap such as parts fromt he old engine computers, wires, relay all that type of good stuff

keen50

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e36 m42 into e30
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2007, 04:39:51 AM »
I don't know about the previous guys but I'm trying to fit the 95ti m42 into my e30. why? the car at present has an m40 in it. that may be the reason for there efforts.There are some obvious differences outside the engine, such as oil sump the bump is at the opposite end so that needs to be changed.I'm not sure that the m40 sump will fit.It may as the lower end only has minor changes.there is no fixing for the spark igniter's that fit onto the right guard and the loom is different as the computer sits on the other side of the car to the m40 which is under the steering wheel ( on a right hand drive car).Things remedied are there any other things that will hinder its progress?The running of the engine with its internal differences surely should not be a problem should it? Any one got any further advise?