318is powertrain into a 70 2002????

[Kerry70]

Is it possible?... if so is there an FAQ or thread amount the necessary mods? I searched and couldn't find a posting that offered enough info...

Plus... do I keep the EFI or run with my dual webber 40s? I know there is going to be significant mods either way...

EFI for reliability....

Webbers for a nice growl....

Thoughts?... Pictures of a conversion would be GREAT!!!!!

[punchesdfw]

What year 318? My first reply would be why bother? Look into an M20 conversion. There are lots of us that have done it and there's a huge power and reliability increase, in my opinion.

[Kerry70]

Sorry... 1991 318is... dual cam, 16 valves and adding a 5 speed at the same time.

Would an M20 be better?

[Harv]

I think the M20 is actually a better way to go and I think at this point it might be essayer. There are many here on the board that have done it. Hell, one guy even has a turbo on his!

I have seen pictures of a 2002 with an M42 engine in it so it can be done. From what I understand, it's not a simple bolt in deal. I think there is a lot of mods to the oil pan and such. If I were to go with an M42 I would definitely keep the injection and ignition. They were state-of-the-art for the day. Probably could get a little more power out of a Megasquirt ECU.

Now if you had an M42 sitting there in your garage with the ecu and wiring harness I could see it as the way to go. If you do, get rid of that stupid, heavy dual mass flywheel they have. That helps a lot. Remember they are only 137 hp but it is very useable.

John

[ClayW]

Really, if you're going to swap stuff, just swap the induction and EFI stuff into the 2002 and use the Megasquirt setup.

Zeebucks site has a write-up on the conversion:

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

Otherwise, the 318i drivetrain doesn't give a high enough benefit:work ratio.

If you still want to do a whole motor/trans swap, go with an E30 M3 (S14) or M20 swap...both with the E21 320 5 spd. The S14 requires a little less fabrication, but can cost a little more. I'm not sure what the power differences are.

Good Luck!

[mattmcginn]

I just sold an m42 powered 2002 that I picked up recently.

The installation was functional, but cosmetically not perfect The wiring was a bit hacked but we straightened it out. It ran really well and basically went like a nicely tuned tii though maybe with less torque it felt. It had the e30 5 speed and had a 320i steering rack with some modified lower control arms that picked up in the center of the subframe rather than the back. It also had the e30 steering column and some other odd stuff.

The car was pretty fun to drive and I would have kept it had I not had about 50-too many projects going already.

Prior to my acquiring the car it was owned by a guy who used to be on the board back when it was mainly roadfly based. Apparently the car was pretty competitively on the autocross circuit but of course that was more of a suspension issue than engine/trans.

The installation is not that bad if you're handy but given the amount of folks that have done the m20 conversion there is just way more info out there on how to solve the basic problems that crop up.

[Guest Anonymous]

You don't find the extra weight of the M-20 to impair the handling some? I never drove one it just seems like it wouldn't handle as good with a heavier engine that hangs out further over the front wheels.

[evanc]

I just recently got my M20 in and running and I haven't felt any understeer yet. I've pushed my car pretty hard, but not on a track. With Dan William's motor mounts the engine is pushed back and barely clears the firewall. If you are ever in the Bay Area contact me and I'll give you a ride and you can decide for yourself.

It's been hands down the best mod I've done. As others have said, it's pretty well documented. If you were going through the trouble to do an engine conversion it would make more sense to me to add as much power as possible. Just my thoughts though. If anyone wants a ride, drop me an email.

Evan

[Pierre]

As others have said, the M42 is not an easy swap. I looked into it extensively. I parted a 91 318is and I have another as a daily driver.

The M42 will give reliablity, economy and the convenience of an easy starting, easy idling motor. But power? A well tuned 02 or tii will give you about the same and will cost you less to rebuild than installing the M42.

But you want power, the most efficient way is to go with an M20. The M20 motor is about 30 lbs heavier than a tii. Move the battery to the trunk, (you have to anyway) and your balance is restored. And you can squeeze almost 200 HP out of an M20 with a chip, power steering and compressor delete, a cold air filter and free-flow exhaust.

I abandoned the M42 project and decided on an M20 conversion. I also decided to convert a 74 as opposed to a 69. I am sure I will need some expert help from you guys when I run into glitches.

Now, who is going to the track next Friday the 10th?

www.Redlinetrackevents.com

Streets of Willow.

I am playing hookie.

[punchesdfw]

It definately impairs the ability to keep tread on the tires! Without a doubt the best change we have made to the car. Reliability is 100%. I would like to weigh 2-cars of the same year, one w/M10 and one w/M20 on wheel scales to see exactly how the weight is distributed. After removing tin in the nose, trunking the battery in a strut bar and the engine CG being located in virtually the same place, I'd bet the total weight and weight distribution is very similiar.

[gpetrus]

try catscale.com-- has the location of the nearest ones at truckstops. Usually $9.00-- if you put your front axle on the first pad and rear on the second, the readout ticket will show the weight on each axle. If they give you any crap about a car(highly doubtful) tell them your a mover weighing it for your shipment.

[gammenshowa]

ireland engineering now has a fuel injection set up you can put on your m10 contact jeremy tell um gregg sent ya.