engine and drivetrain M42 engine

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm starting to plan my 2002 (that I don't own yet). I have accepted the inevitable truth -- you can't have just one... and my first one has been gone for 5 years.

Jonathon T, interested in knowing more about your M42 install. Anyone else running this setup? I know the "ultimate" is an S14, but it seems to me with all the E36 318's that get riced and then wrecked, M42's should be out there at reasonable prices.

What about simple upgrades? Can you use a different crank? Aren't there chips available for the ECU? Larger diameter TB's? Cam timing tips?

Responses off-list are great, unless others have the same questions.

Tony

[Guest Anonymous]

Plenty of upgrades are possible. Check on Roadfly's E30 & E36 Message Boards

[Guest Anonymous]

I have a 91 E30 318is with the M42 engine. In that car, which is essentially a 325is with the 92 engine in it, it does (according to a G-Tech meter) 0-60 in 7.4 seconds and 15.8 in the quarter mile. It has a 4:10 LSD rear end and 5 speed. This is not stock, I have the Dinan chip installed in it. The guy I got the chip from claimed he had his car (same as mine) to 145 mph once, which was the old red line - 6800 rpm. Needless to say, it's a really revvy engine, and it's a big favorite of UK E30 tuners along with the M20.

In about 3 years of reading up on other's M42 conversions, it's a tight fit, and the tach doesn't work. Carl Nelson has done one before for Frank Crichetti (sp?) who has written a review of the conversion on the net. It should be good ground work.

There was this sort-of "bonzai" autox car at Midwest '02 Fest in South Bend last year. It was a real beater. It had an M42 in it (you can tell usually by the intake manifold - the M44 looks different which is in the E36 and Z3's)

Good luck!

Keith

'74tii - Stella

http://www.my2002tii.com

[Guest Anonymous]

The biggest issue relating to the swap is the beautifull exhaust manifold that wants to oocupy the same space as the steering gear. You can modify one or the other or both. A second question is the tranny that is a lot wider than what wants to fit in the tunnel. I can assure you that the tach can be made to fit. In general the m42 is a very nice engine to rev and is quite happy doing so. Make no mistake though; it makes about the same stock power as a good tii (138).

As for mods I have looked quite a bit at some options and have been a bit put off by the price/benefit ratio. Yes you can just add a chip but thats maybe 10hp. But seriously, for axample, lets try to get it to really breathe, a pair of schrick cams runs around 800 and they recomend new springs @ 400. Rebuild the head at the same time for 600-800 depending on parts (hydraullic lifters etc.) and port work and when you are done you have spent 2000 to get maybe 30 hp. (You have not yet addresed fuel curve). BMP makes a really sweet set of individual throttle bodies just pony up another 2000 for how many hp? The throttle body is a duall butterfly progressive so it's not so simple to enlarge without blowing drivability. I think it's really easy to spend 3-4 grand hot rodding your m42 and still not have as much power as an s14.

I have come to the conclusion that the most bang for the buck is forced induction. I am building a setup ased loosly on the book by Corkey Bell and also the Supercharger kit from Downing Atlanta.

I will run 6-9psi boost (intercooled) with an Eaton m45 and use a rising rate regulator for increased fuel delivery. It should make around 200hp and around 200lbs of torque at 2000 rpm. By doing it all myself I will try to hold costs down to 1000-1500.

If all goes well I will be ruining tires this spring.

Anyone with specific questions regarding the m42 swap feel free to email me but bear in mind I bought my car already converted.

Best regards,

Jonathan T.

(jthayernospam@pratt.edu)

[Guest Anonymous]

Any possibility of using one of the existing aftermarket turbo setups for the m42? Just curious.

Tony

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks for all the insight. My logic (such as it is) in bringing up the M42 is I want a daily driver 02. I all ready have a semi-garage queen CS. I would prefer "modern" FI vs. Tii for the "set and forget" reliability and because K-fish parts are spendy and getting rare. An e30 318i M10 swap would be easier, certainly, but not much in the way of oomph expansion available with that injection setup. That said, I drove my bone-stock 1602 daily for almost 4 years, and other than wishing it had a 5 speed for freeway work I never wanted for anything (OK, a rear window defogger would have been nice in soggy Portland winters). There's not many things simpler or more reliable than a single Solex...

[Guest Anonymous]

My Rational is that what the m42 needs most is low to mid range torque rather than higher rpm HP. Also the stock CR is 10.5:1 so there is not a lot of margin for boost anyway. Also for me I scored the supercharger cheap on ebay so the decision is made. I am sure there are turbo setups that work well too. Keep in mind that the m42 has no knock sensor unlike the later m44. A lot of the aftermarket kits rely on the knock sensor to hold the detonation under control rather than truly meter the correct fuel and/or keep the charge cool. Just be carefull with it.

Jonathan T.

[Guest Anonymous]

I meant "aftermarket supercharger", not turbo... I can't recall the company, but I know someone was pushing a blower for M42's for less than $4,000 installed. Whatevah...