Need help with m40 to m42 swap

[Mister cw]

Hey, I just bought an M42 motor to swap with my m40.

Has anyone done this before, What do I need to change and What parts can I use?

The engine came out an E36 so I need to change the oil pan. I believe the gearbox is the same but what with the driveshaft?

Does annyone has more info about this?

Sorry for my lack of english but I'm from Belgium but I hope you understand everything.

Kind regards

[1991 E30 M42]

I wouldn't imagine it would be too hard, you would have to have an M42 and ecu. I'm sure the M42 bolts in without modifications, but I don't know if the subframes are the same. Unfortunately, most of the members on this forum are in the US and the M40 was never released in the US, so specific information might be hard to come by. Hopefully one of the European members will chime in.

[HaNasich]

search for it -
i've done this.
pictures and info can be found in my thread, as well as from forum memeber VLAD which has also done that and helped me alot during my swap.


if you have any questions, go ahead...

Ron.

[///Harlis]

I have done this as well. There was no need to change any subframe or drivetrain. assuming your gearbox is a manual getrag 240, everything should bolt right up. use the M42 engine mounts of course.

I'll be happy to answer any questions as well.

Harlis

[nickmpower]

the tranny has very different ratios

[HaNasich]

. use the M42 engine mounts of course.

Harlis

Hi Harlis
i have several qustions abouth the swap you've done:
1. were you changing from M40 to M42? why didnt you use the M40 mounts?
2. did you put in a M42 from an E36 and used the E36 mounts or did u use E30 M42 mounts?

i used my original M40 engine mounts with the M42 engine.
i'd love to see a picture from above of you installation so i can compare.
(According to forum member Vladi using the M40 should put the engine a little further inside and i'de love to compare that)

here's my car / engine pictured from above:


And Nick - tranny has the same ratios, it is the final drive / diff who's different (4.27 for the 316I vs 4.10 for M42 E30's)


Ron.

[fabe]

I swapped out my M40 with the E36 M42..
- using M40 Getrag 240 gearbox.
- using M40 engine mountings.

Did that like 5 years ago...

Would be doing a gearbox transplant. Out goes the E30 Getrag 240 and in goes the E36 220 gearbox...

[///Harlis]

yeah i was swapping from e30 m40 to e30m42. um... i donno why i used the M42 mounts. i figured i might as well. seeing as they go with the engine. should i not have? is seems to work fine but the engine does sit a little high. its hard to tell from above. no problems with it though.

nice dasc btw. not to hijack. but whats a dasc 0-100 in an e30 like?

[HaNasich]

whats the difference between Getrag 220 and 240?
is it ratios? different amount of power?

[fabe]

G240 has a 5th gear ratio of 1:0.8
G220 has a 5th gear ratio of 1:1 (similar to the 4th gear of G240)
which means for the G220, 5th gear is no longer overdrive... and can pull better...
However, you would need the right final drive ratio to complement the G220... the stock final drive ratio for the E36 318is is 3.45... I aledi have the 3.15 for relaxed cruising and can use the 3.73 for track.. .

[HaNasich]

i dunno about u - but im running with 4.27 (3500 RPM when going 110 Km H) - way too high for my taste (never the less - 1st gear goes to 35 Km H / 2nd to 80 Km H)

[fabe]

I have used 4.10, 3.91 and 3.73... 4.10 good for track... 3.73 good for cruising.. 3.91 is the best of both world....