Author Topic: E36 m42 to E30? (Read 20780 times)

CrusherCurtis · « **on:** June 05, 2009, 09:05:27 AM »

What will I need to do to put an 1992 e36 m42 into my 1991 e30 318i. I've been trying to do some research and it seams the only thing I might need to change is the intake manifold. Is this true? Is there any thing else?

xsjado · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2009, 10:33:54 AM »

no need to change the intake manifold.just need to bring the whole wiring harness with you.everything else fits.bring the old starter motor and pinion to match the old flywheel in the gearbox gearbox if you're doing that.

Deftones · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2009, 04:39:23 PM »

but the engine supports are equal? i think e36 M42 supports are in other place than the e30 m42...

xsjado · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2009, 11:33:28 AM »

i had an m40.swapped e36m42.just brought over the mounting(all of it-not just the rubber bit+brackets) from the old block!!

LocostM3 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2009, 12:12:19 AM »

Just finalising this swap myself in a RHD E30, no need to change the Intake system, but you will need to change the mounts to the E30 M40 jobs, the Sump assembly and oil pickup, and splice in the E36 engine harness, for the RHD conversion unfortunatly you have to drop back onto the E30 exhaust manifold as the E36 exhaust manifold fouls the steering, writeup expected in 2 to 3 weeks (I need to get my tax done too!)

JOMARO · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2009, 09:41:23 AM »

dosent he have to swap the oil pans from his old engine.
i just swapped an m42 e36 engine in my m40, i had to use the m40 oil pans , the whole mounting,had to twist the dipstick ..whole e36 hareness,used the e36 exhaust manifold .

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2009, 12:09:53 PM »

Is the e30 an m40 or m42 car?

oomesh · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2009, 01:17:55 PM »

Quote from: xsjado;73080

no need to change the intake manifold.just need to bring the whole wiring harness with you.everything else fits.bring the old starter motor and pinion to match the old flywheel in the gearbox gearbox if you're doing that.

hey mate are you sure there isnt any need for the intake manifold change. i've googled a bit and some guys were complaining about the hood wouldnt close with the e36m42 manifold!!!!

I am about to swap my engine too...

fabe · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:28:10 AM »

Quote from: oomesh;77956

hey mate are you sure there isnt any need for the intake manifold change. i've googled a bit and some guys were complaining about the hood wouldnt close with the e36m42 manifold!!!!

I am about to swap my engine too...

Have you seen any pic of the engines?

The E36M42 manifold is LOWER than the E30M42...

U can't use the E30M42 manifold in an E36... The hood won't close... but not the other way round...

Cheers.

oomesh · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2009, 11:46:05 AM »

Quote from: fabe;77986

Have you seen any pic of the engines? The E36M42 manifold is LOWER than the E30M42...

U can't use the E30M42 manifold in an E36... The hood won't close... but not the other way round...

Cheers.

so you recon that so the e36m42 intake exhaust will fit in the e30 and the hood would close properly?
I would like to know whether the exhaust manifold from e36m42 (RHD) can be used if i swap the engine in my e30? i have a RHD e30 by the way...
plz give your comments as i am about to swap a 1995 m42 into my e30. thanks mate.

fabe · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2009, 08:55:46 PM »

Quote from: oomesh;77996

so you recon that so the e36m42 intake exhaust will fit in the e30 and the hood would close properly?
I would like to know whether the exhaust manifold from e36m42 (RHD) can be used if i swap the engine in my e30? i have a RHD e30 by the way...
plz give your comments as i am about to swap a 1995 m42 into my e30. thanks mate.

I have the E36M42 in my E30 for the past 6 years. So yes, the E36 intake manifold can definitely fit... Honestly, u need to do some research. U seem to be getting inaccurate information.

As for the exhaust manifold/extractor, u need to modify the E36M42 exh manifold to clear the steering coupling. I had been using a modified E36 RHD extractor for my E30 until recently. It can be used. but it isn't free flowing.
Modified E36M42 RHD extractor

It was when I got the custom made extractor that I realised that the M42 has so much more potential with a proper extractor...

JOMARO · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2009, 02:35:50 PM »

I ve just swapped an e36m42 in my e30 , and i m even using the m20 engine mounts (which are higher)..and still the hood clears

oomesh · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2009, 09:16:05 PM »

Quote from: JOMARO;78050

I ve just swapped an e36m42 in my e30 , and i m even using the m20 engine mounts (which are higher)..and still the hood clears

were you using the e36 m42 intake manifold?
by the way, was the swap easy?
didnt you have any prob with exhaust manifold? (if it is a RHD E30)
thanks for sharing

fabe · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2009, 11:29:31 PM »

sigh... The more u ask, the more you're confusing yourself..

Here's how the E36M42 looks like in the E30 engine bay

visionracingdevelopments · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2009, 04:02:41 PM »

We must get a sticky put up for this topic as it's so frequent.

Use E30 manifold it will give better torque.