engine and drivetrain M42 Engine Swap

[Cejay Grundy]

Hey everyone,

Im looking at doing an engine swap to a M42 engine with 5 speed transmission from a early 90s 318i.

I was wondering was if someone could link me to a post/blog where this had been done before? Ive heard that as far as conversions go its not a particularly difficult one...but who knows my sources might be unreliable.

Thanks guys.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Cejay_91

[ClayW]

Hey everyone,

Im looking at doing an engine swap to a M42 engine with 5 speed transmission from a early 90s 318i.

I was wondering was if someone could link me to a post/blog where this had been done before? Ive heard that as far as conversions go its not a particularly difficult one...but who knows my sources might be unreliable.

Thanks guys.

image.jpg

 

 

See mine at www.TX02.blogspot.com

 

Here's another FAQ-er's: http://project-schnitzer.blogspot.com/

 

And this one: http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/134016-1976-bmw-2002-m42-swap/?hl=m42+swap#entry28049

 

And this one: http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/134033-a-sorry-excuse-for-an-02-now-with-m42/?hl=m42+swap#entry925405

[baller908790]

Lookup Jake b   or classic daily. Its his website with the mounts and other stuff you could buy for the swap

[Cejay Grundy]

Thanks guys, all that stuff will be really helpful when the time comes.

[TobyB]

Suggestion- start engine shopping now.  You want a 1991 318i/is, and they're getting hard to find.

Especially the 60k miles ones that have been 'lightly rolled' so they're not worth much...

 

You can use the E36 M42, but that transmission doesn't fit in the 2002 tunnel.  And the intake's

gynormous... 

 

t

[Cejay Grundy]

Thanks, I've already got myself an engine doing some searching for a transmission to go with it atm. Also got in touch with Jakeb on this forum and ill be buying his conversion kit. With these guides here I should hopefully be ok.

[RogueDriver]

Jake and Clay provided parts and inspiration for a successful M42 swap in my roundie.  If you are in So Cal come by and take a look. 

[DaveDel82]

Anyone in the CT area that has done this swap? Getting ready to attempt it and would love to take a look at one in person and get some small pointers before I dive in. Thanks in advance!

 

[442stang]

love M42 / M44 engine in an e36 but just does not make much sense in a 2002

 

1. not much improved HP if any over minimally modified M10

2. have to make fuel injection and computer work and maintainable in 2002... frankestein for service

3. last time I checked not easy to add performance to M42 as computer setup sort of fixed... someone probably knows more

 

 

What we find is a better, more cost effective, cooler, higher HP option is to just add performance to M10 bottom end and top end and if you want fuel injection add in a good quality supported throttle body fuel injection and injectors.   We are doing for numerous clients and about have a "kit" done for average joe to bolt on their M10.

 

This apporach keeps car original for collectibility but also provides way more potential for HP and performance.   We are seeing around 190 HP with modified M10 and FI... cost varies based on components

[ray_]

35 minutes ago, 442stang said:

love M42 / M44 engine in an e36 but just does not make much sense in a 2002

 

1. not much improved HP if any over minimally modified M10

2. have to make fuel injection and computer work and maintainable in 2002... frankestein for service

3. last time I checked not easy to add performance to M42 as computer setup sort of fixed... someone probably knows more

 

 

What we find is a better, more cost effective, cooler, higher HP option is to just add performance to M10 bottom end and top end and if you want fuel injection add in a good quality supported throttle body fuel injection and injectors.   We are doing for numerous clients and about have a "kit" done for average joe to bolt on their M10.

 

This apporach keeps car original for collectibility but also provides way more potential for HP and performance.   We are seeing around 190 HP with modified M10 and FI... cost varies based on components

 

 

That's pretty cool. Stock S14 power from an M10.

 

Which dyno shop are you using there, Jon?

 

Cheers,
 

[grizzlebar]

1 hour ago, 442stang said:

love M42 / M44 engine in an e36 but just does not make much sense in a 2002

 

1. not much improved HP if any over minimally modified M10

2. have to make fuel injection and computer work and maintainable in 2002... frankestein for service

3. last time I checked not easy to add performance to M42 as computer setup sort of fixed... someone probably knows more

 

 

What we find is a better, more cost effective, cooler, higher HP option is to just add performance to M10 bottom end and top end and if you want fuel injection add in a good quality supported throttle body fuel injection and injectors.   We are doing for numerous clients and about have a "kit" done for average joe to bolt on their M10.

 

This apporach keeps car original for collectibility but also provides way more potential for HP and performance.   We are seeing around 190 HP with modified M10 and FI... cost varies based on components

 

I am interested in this kit you speak of

[jrhone]

Unless you go forced induction. The M42 has been turbo’d a lot and seeems easier to turbo than the M10. So a turbo m42 can give you 250+ hp easily...also what’s the cost of a 190 hp M10 run??  I would bet about double what an m42 runs.  What are you doing to reliably get that hp?  I’d be very very interested in a FI system that would take my 140 hp or so carb’d M10 and add 50 hp.  

[vinceg14]

Waiting to see where this goes. 

[ray_]

9 minutes ago, vinceg14 said:

Waiting to see where this goes. 

 

I have an idea about that. 

 

[KenH]

I have no idea