Author Topic: E30 & E36 difference (Read 6674 times)

E30nate · « **on:** April 16, 2008, 12:00:08 PM »

is there any difference in the bottom end of an E30 M42 and an E36 m42? i have heard that the E36 has cast internals from some people, and from others i have heard they are the same.

swiss318is · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2008, 12:27:32 PM »

the e36 has a cast crank
block is the same
oil pan is different
cylinderhead is the same
intake manifold is different
has a belt drive
timing chain an co are the same

please correct me if i am wrong..

tjts1 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2008, 12:32:15 PM »

I was under the impression that the M42 bottom end of was the same and M44 had cast crank and a number of other changes.

E30nate · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2008, 12:40:45 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;47201

I was under the impression that the M42 bottom end of was the same and M44 had cast crank and a number of other changes.

i have heard both, i just want to clarify. i need an engine for my e30, but cant find one out of an e30 for my budjet, so i was wanting to know if an e36 is the same. i know it will work, but i dont want to downgrade the quality.

swiss318is · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2008, 12:47:03 PM »

engine management is different too..

D. Clay · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2008, 01:08:39 PM »

I have a M42 out of a 10/95 E36 318ti. I changed oil pans, intakes, and crank pulleys. I reused all of the accessories from the E30 because I had a good A/C, alternator, and PS pump and didn't want to replace anything just to use the serpentine belt drive. I also used E30 electronics. In other words, I stripped the E36 motor to a long block. The cast rather than forged crank would only be an issue if you were going to race and/or turbocharge the motor and even then failures are just as rare in the E36 four cylinders. I have no objective evidence but I think the E36 motor responds and performs a bit better with the E30 intake. Then again I had a pretty tired E30 motor.

E30nate · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2008, 01:13:02 PM »

Quote from: D. Clay;47206

I have a M42 out of a 10/95 E36 318ti. I changed oil pans, intakes, and crank pulleys. I reused all of the accessories from the E30 because I had a good A/C, alternator, and PS pump and didn't want to replace anything just to use the serpentine belt drive. I also used E30 electronics. In other words, I stripped the E36 motor to a long block. The cast rather than forged crank would only be an issue if you were going to race and/or turbocharge the motor and even then failures are just as rare in the E36 four cylinders. I have no objective evidence but I think the E36 motor responds and performs a bit better with the E30 intake. Then again I had a pretty tired E30 motor.

thats what i figured. i eventually do want to supercharge it, but it probably wont be for a while down the road. so i might just drop in an e36 engine if i can find one.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2008, 01:13:18 PM »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems the original poster wants to know if the M44 lower internals are designed the same as the M42 - meaning are the pistons, rods, etc. forged or not? I too have seen some discrepancies posted on different BMW forums with regards to M42 vs M44 parts, so I can see his concern with wanting to replace his M42 with an M44 IF the M44 is an inferior design...

E30nate · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:28:27 PM »

i want to know the difference between the e30 m42 and the e36 m42. the non vanos e36 engine.

Boyracer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2008, 04:42:12 AM »

Quote from: swiss318is;47200

the e36 has a cast crank

please correct me if i am wrong..

http://bmwfans.info/part-11211721817/

E30 and E36 M42 share the same forged crankshaft, part number is the same.

Later M44 in E36 had cast crankshaft.

E30nate · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:52:10 AM »

Quote from: Boyracer;47297

http://bmwfans.info/part-11211721817/

E30 and E36 M42 share the same forged crankshaft, part number is the same.

Later M44 in E36 had cast crankshaft.

that is the definate answer i was looking for. so would the e36 engine have to be from a 92-93, or will any obd1 engine be the same?

E30nate · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:54:54 AM »

nevermind, i looked it up on that link. they are the same up till 96 when they went to obd2. that is awesome.

strypt · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2008, 02:12:19 PM »

E36 head is slightly different with 6 mm valve steams instead of 7 mm in E30 M42. E36 also has single, but conical (progressive) valve springs and E30 has double normal springs. I've heared that the cams are also sliiiiiighty milder than E30 ones but it can't be much if so.
From a performance point of view the E36 head would be better with better flow because of the smaller valve steams and the valves also beeing lighter. Cams and springs would anyway be replaced in that case

colin86325 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2008, 09:03:56 PM »

The E36 1992 cams are unique in their part # (different from E30 and other E36). The 1992 E36 engine used 7mm valves.
Then in 1993 the E36 M42 got different cams again and also started using the 6mm valves.

I'm about to send an intake cam to be hard welded and am wondering whether I'd be better off sending my E30 cam or my 1992 E36 cam in. The E36 has slightly less wear, but if the E30 cam is warmer than the E36 cam....hmmmm

E30nate · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2008, 11:28:24 PM »

i would probably use the head off my e30 anyway. i found an engine from a 95 for $200 with 90k miles, so i would have to use my head because of the vanos.