1974 BMW M42 swap

[Harland]

So I bought this car earlier this summer, I posted a thread in the general.

But i guess its time to start my Project thread.

I bought the car in not running condition for 900$

It needed starter, Fuel Pump, throttle linkage, airfilter, brake/clutch fluid, the interior needed to be put back in the car.

Fortunately all of the parts were in the trunk.

I really dig the vinyl racing stripes, and how its cracked.

The car i was driving at the time... I really miss this car.

So once i got the car somewhat road worthy, I had to take it on a maiden voyage of 350 miles to Durango from Denver.

I had promised my parents i would take car of their house while they went on a month long road trip.

They have a nice garage though, so i was stoked to have a good place to work on the car.

So I decided to go Moar Lower.

Before

During

After

Im not sure if you guys have seen the 5 Series car known as "Rusty"?

But it has a really rad wood roof rack on it.

Ive grown up doing wood working, so i was really stoked to make one.

I like the roof rack look.

Ordered a round of Bilstein Sport Shocks, And I.E. Urethane bushings.

So thats the next step.

So happy with the lack of rust on this car.

Well i have more pics of everything cleaned and painted as well.

Just need to find them on my computer.

Oh and I forgot to mention that i found a full drive train from a 95 318i for $400.

So im picking that up this week. And hopefully getting started on rebuilding the motor soon.

Im really stoked, ive never done a swap before.

Well im currently doing a SR20det swap into a Datsun 510 Wagon, but we arent even close to finishing that.

[M5wanaB]

your going to have a hard time fitting that engine in there. You will need the oil pan and intake from a E30 318is. Unless you plan on doing some front cross-member chopping. The E36 intake is a little tall to fit in the engine bay as well. If you need any help along the way let us know. The number of us who have completed this swap is growing rapidly.

[Harland]

yeah ive been watching some others M42 threads. I can get the oil pan new through wholesale at work. i guess im going to have to go junk yarding for the intake manifold i guess.

Thanks for the help... I know ill be needing it.

[Harland]

So i went and picked up the M42 drivetrain... except when i got there, it was an automatic transmission.

I ended up just buying the motor, drive shaft and diff.

From the research ive done, i think that the auto trans has its own ecu. Is this correct will i be able to use the wiring harness/ecu with a manual trans?

Or am i screwed?

Also what are my options for a five speed manual trans?

Thanks.

[dasfrogger]

That roof rack is awesome! Looking forward to following your project

[jakeb]

looks like it is coming along...

The e36 intake manifold might actually fit, its not too tall it is too wide and gets VERY close to the brake booster.

For a trans the g240 from the e30 m42 car is the best bet. You might also be able to use the g250 from the e36, the g260 from an m20 will bolt to the m42 but it is much bigger and might not fit in the tunnel of the 2002.

email me if you have any questions or mounts, I have done 5 of these swaps.

[Harland]

That roof rack is awesome! Looking forward to following your project

Thanks, the roof rack is my pride and joy. My dad and i built it together.

Jakeb, Thanks for your help..

I will definitely be contacting you about the mounts as soon as i can afford them. excited to get the motor on a stand and start going through it. going to try and do all new seals and gaskets.

[Harland]

Pics of painted subframe components.

[Harland]

So i started disassembling the M42 motor to get it ready for the swap.

sorry for the shitty quality pics, taken with my phone.

Been cleaning and cleaning

My friend works for a powder coating shop. so Im going to send off valve cover and Alt bracket this week to him.

excited for that.

Still trying to find a Getrag 240 though.

[Harland]

So I went to my friends powder coating shop late night a couple days ago.

Krinkle Black and a Gloss Silver, new water pump and Intake Manifold should be back from powder coating later this week.

Also just bought the Trans i needed, The guy had a ton of parts i needed/wanted. Intake manifold and.... these.

Also im going to pick up an ECU with a Dinan Powerchip tomorrow.

I have a Diff out of an 36 318i(auto) witch im pretty sure is a 4.4:1. has any one transfered the internals into a 02 pumpkin?

[Harland]

Utilized the roof rack the other day when i took this nice young lady fly fishing.

[Tito3]

I am very interested in this swap. I do have a running complete 318is that was hit in the back and totalled. The engine was recently rebuilt and runs like a champ. What do I need as far as motormounts, trans mounts, radiator and cooling fans? Thanks for your help and advice.

Tito

[Harland]

I am very interested in this swap. I do have a running complete 318is that was hit in the back and totalled. The engine was recently rebuilt and runs like a champ. What do I need as far as motormounts, trans mounts, radiator and cooling fans? Thanks for your help and advice.

Tito

You need to talk to Jakeb about the motor/trans mounts and exhaust manifold.

Im still waiting for mine to arrive.

What year is your 318is? E30 or E36?

Hopefully its an E30, the E36 ends up being a pain in the ass.

Save the driveshaft!!!!

[Harland]

Oh and Radiator...

Im going to use the stock radiator from a 91 318is with electric fans. probably just going to make the brackets to mount it.

[Tito3]

Its a 94 318is. The interior is immaculate with heated leather seats. I may use these in the 02 while the originals are being redone in the correct colour. The trans is good but needs a clutch. I also have a 5 spd od trans from a 320i. Hopefully I have most of the parts I need.