318 swap into cal 76 - step by step?

[Guest Anonymous]

I was thinking about a suggestion from Tkent and it seems like a good

idea for 76 that are non-smoggable for various reasons. Reliability,

driveability are major concerns. I understand the later year m10 blocks

are lighter too.thx

[Guest Anonymous]

1. Don't put in a five speed at the same time.

2. Don't bring home four other projects in the meantime.

3. Don't start driving the 318i.

4. Don't redo the interior at the same time.

5. Get a 318i that has all the fuel pumps working.

6. Read Zenon's writeup. You could read mine but it's not done yet.

7. Make sure it's legal before you start, it is legal in Arizona, but that's different.

8. Find out if Cal requires a cat, Arizona does. Other states don't because there are no heat shields for a cat on the car already.

9. Figure out how to cleverly disguise your Megasquirt harness to look like an original BMW harness connected to an original Bosch Computer.

10. Don't use a 318i engine that is disassembled. Then you might be tempted make it a two liter, big valves, high compression, etc. Might as well while you are in there.

[Guest Anonymous]

1. Don't put in a five speed at the same time.

My four speed is perfect and all the stuff behind works good too.

2. Don't bring home four other projects in the meantime.

Well taken. An e28, 1600, and two boats are ahead in the lineup.

3. Don't start driving the 318i.

Yes, I am thinking if I can pick up a crashed non very drivable unit

I won't be tempted to start driving it instead.

4. Don't redo the interior at the same time.

Good.

5. Get a 318i that has all the fuel pumps working.

Ah yes. FI cars have two fuel pumps. Unless I can see it run - I won't

buy.

6. Read Zenon's writeup. You could read mine but it's not done yet.

Do you have a link to Zenon's. With four other proj.s I can wait for

yours...

7. Make sure it's legal before you start, it is legal in Arizona, but that's

different. I am pretty sure I can use a later car but will need one that

already is/was legal for Cal. And I would have to register it with the

year of the swap.

8. Find out if Cal requires a cat, Arizona does. Other states don't

because there are no heat shields for a cat on the car already.

I think it need a cat and these sheilds might be cut down from the

larger e28 body donor, and pop-rivited into place in the appropriate

areas..

9. Figure out how to cleverly disguise your Megasquirt harness to look

like an original BMW harness connected to an original Bosch Computer.

Clearly a gamble and very much dependent on the smog referee in cal.

10. Don't use a 318i engine that is disassembled. Then you might be

tempted make it a two liter, big valves, high compression, etc. Might as

well while you are in there.

Ahhh. Now you have me thinking that perhaps I should just leave it as

is and slap on a simple open loop propane fuel system instead! Drat.

Hey Tom, How are you doing with that 6 I sold you? I would think its

pretty legendary to drive all the way back to AZ from So Cal on only 3

cylinders. Sheesh!

John McA

[Guest Anonymous]

The head was too coroded to use, $800 to get it fixed. On the junk pile. The rest is very good, been cleaning and measuring everything, it is really tight. I bought a good rebuilt head. Going to pop it on the old motor and drive it a while while I rebuild yours. Hopefully it drives a while. Will find out in a few days.

[Guest Anonymous]

URL: http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/

http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/

Tons of goodies.

[Guest Anonymous]

I've heard that the cooling system must be kept in really

good shape for reliability..

Sorry about the head. Glad the rest is ok at least.

Good luck..

John McA

[Guest Anonymous]

All had an "M" in the same place. No worries, got another head for a good price. It's on the old engine in the car now, I'll get it running in a day or so. Hopefully the old bottom end is still half-assed OK so we can drive it and rebuild your engine at my leisure.