Author Topic: M42 into a Touring coming soon, pointers appreciated. (Read 4686 times)

GrindCulture · « **on:** August 06, 2008, 12:20:32 PM »

Hey there, newbie from the UK here! New to this site but not to E30s, I have a 318is that has seen much better days. The bodywork is shocking and the electrics just as bad.

I also have a 318i touring, the M40 is terrible, noisey and slow. The rest of the car is very good structurally, with only minor dents and scratches and a tired looking interior (all repairable:)).

In a few weeks time (when it stops bloody raining...) I'll be dropping the M42 and box in the touring. I've been an active member on E30zone.net since I've owned E30s, so my knowledge of the cars and engines are fair.

If there are any parts of the swap that are commonly overlooked/particularly tricky, any help would be cool. This will be my first engine swap, but I'm confident I'll be able to pull it off.

I'll keep you posted, cheers!

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2008, 01:17:41 PM »

Can't wait to see your progress! I've never liked wagons until i saw you lucky euro bastards got an E30 wagon...

:DWelcome to M42 Club!!:D

JungleGus · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2008, 06:43:53 AM »

i just did this, its not too hard if you start with the m40 just make sure you get as much complete as possible PM me if you get stuck..where you based in the UK?

GrindCulture · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2008, 12:34:12 PM »

Devon, England here. I've got both the 318i touring and 318is cars complete, I was breaking the touring for spares but decided it would be ridiculous to scrap such a tidy shell and still run about in my rusty old turd, so I'll bin the tappy M40 and iS shell seeing as scrap rates are fairly high right now, sell the iS interior and any other bits surplus to requirements and be left with a solid "iS touring"

Can't wait.

Myke_Gee · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2008, 04:57:45 PM »

M42 definitely seems the way to go. I've just started (and almost finished) mine as the old M40 (with over 157k on the clock) developed a very nasty knocking, that for some strange reason can not be found. I paid a really good price for my M42, g'box, prop, ecu and loom, rad, downpipes and a few other bits and got cracking. In 2 days i'm nearly done, and I have NO mechanical experience and a tiny garage!

Awkward bits were: Guibo split on the old prop and made getting it off a nightmare (it's quite tight in there, OOoooerr!) and you'll need to take the IS coilpack bracket off the old car VERY carefully as they bend easily and if you don't want to fab a new one.

That was basically it. I replaced my engine mounts with M30 items (from Euro Car Parts at �20 each inc vat) as the M40 uses dampers aswell and the M42 mounts don't cater for these. You'll have a bit more noise in the cabin as the engine has less damping qualities, but I was assured that they hold the lump better and actually improve the driveabilty. And apart from fixing the mess that the horse riding, lasso wielding numpties left under the dash when they fitted the alarm system and immobilizer, that's me done. Fluids and that to do tomorrow, ECU to chip, and exhaust to fit back on, and that's it.

Have pics if anyone wants to see, and i'll keep you all posted.

Again, if ya need help, i'll do my best.

GrindCulture · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2008, 11:36:39 AM »

Thanks for the tips mate

So the M40 mounts can't be used at all? I also need to get a new M42 rear exhaust section as mine had a rather nasty coming-together with a big bit of pipe that fell off the back of a truck:mad:.

Myke_Gee · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2008, 12:58:35 PM »

OOOooooo, nasty, big bits of pipe ay. I'd have rang the company for compo, ha ha. Err, as far as know, the M40 mounts SHOULD be ok to use, but you'll have to do away with the dampers or modify the M42 brackets from the engine. Basically because there's no holes or anything for them to attach to. You should still be able to fit the 40 rubber bits, but how solid or functional they'd be without the dampers, I have no idea. Fitting the M30 items always save you the extra ��'s though as the dampers and mounts for the 40 can be pretty expensive!

Ahhh, get stuck in, it's a LOT easier than ya think

GrindCulture · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2008, 01:45:26 PM »

I'm itching to get stuck in, but seeing as my iS is my only car and the touring is a non runner atm, I'll have no car to get to work in...

Bank holiday's coming up soon though, it should be done by September.

Myke_Gee · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2008, 04:58:48 PM »

Just one thing that I have unfortunately discovered this evening (and really should have thought about it first), you'll need the M42 exhaust as the M40 will DEFINITELY not fit. I nearly ended up with a side exit! ha ha. Still, you got the whole car so not a problem. I got a fairly good quote on an off the shelf item @ �111 inc vat so it will have to do for now as i'm having trouble finding a second hand item on the "bay" or other forums.

Shame you're not closer budd, i'd have come and given you a hand

GrindCulture · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2008, 06:00:50 PM »

One of the first questions I asked the guys on E30zone was whether or not I could use the M40 exhaust lol.

I need to get a new exhaust anyway, Fritz's Bitz is about 5 miles down the road from me, so ideal for spares etc.

Now that I think about it, there's a guy in Leicester selling a full stainless system (minus manifold) on E30zone for �175, I can get his email or something if you want? Are you a member on there?

Myke_Gee · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2008, 06:24:29 AM »

Yea, am a newbie on there too, and I have actually found that link this morning, and am now the proud owner of a stainless exhaust system, ha ha. Thanks anyway though mate, good lookin' out.

GrindCulture · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2008, 09:25:37 AM »

The M40 is coming out this weekend, then in a few weeks I'll swap the M42 in, decided to take more time over this than try and rush it all into a weekend. Knowing my luck something would have gone wrong and I'd be carless by the time Tuesday arrived lol.

GrindCulture · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2008, 10:47:26 AM »

It's in! Just need to fit my (rather bodged) exhaust on and fill it with oil

Had massive issues with the propshaft, as I wasn't told the M40 one was too long, then getting it off required some handy work with a ring spanner and a scissor jack. The centre bearing of the M42 prop was FUBAR so I had to swap the M40 bearing over, all without bearing pullers :mad: which was a proper pain in the ass.

Some tidying up inside and a damn good clean are in order tomorrow! Future plans include getting a new interior headliner, as the one in there is sagging more than my grandmothers tits, a new drivers seat or a full set of leathers if I can find some, upgrade the suspension, new wheels and a proper exhaust. Then I'll start tinkering with the engine. M42 turbo touring anyone?