Swapping a m20 into my 318is, help!

[DrtyE30]

I'm about 2 weeks away from swapping my motor and I didn't think of this before but do I need to use a drive shaft from an m20? I'm using the same transmission from my m42 but will the m20 push the driveshaft back?

[Mr. Tasty]

the get 240 is compatible with the m20?

[Robotin]

im prety sure the G240 will NOT bolt up to the m20.

u need a g260, and a its matching driveshaft.

[Mr. Tasty]

im prety sure the G240 will NOT bolt up to the m20.

u need a g260, and a its matching driveshaft.

that's what I thought.

[Ryann]

I award you the '12 Turd Trophy for dumbest e30 engine swap.

[Vivek]

I award you the '12 Turd Trophy for dumbest e30 engine swap.

And why is that?

[Ryann]

Let's see. Timing belt, distributor, valve adjustments, a block that doesn't bolt up to the g240..

[Faust]

I'm pretty sure that my Euro 320i with a M20b20 engine has a Getrag 240 gearbox (p/n: 23001220392). Shouldn't that mean that the gearbox would mount to a M20B25 as the block is essentially the same?

[dnick]

Let's see. Timing belt, distributor, valve adjustments, a block that doesn't bolt up to the g240..

would you like to buy him a different power plant then?

[Vivek]

Let's see. Timing belt, distributor, valve adjustments, a block that doesn't bolt up to the g240..

Should we list all the maintenance items on an m42? An m20 is a much more powerful and decently better engine. And they can be had for a song.

[Mastrcruse]

Sorry for off topic but I'm looking at a 318 that a guy swapped an m20 into. One issue is the tpsensor in the radiator is bad. How complicated is this swap? Does it require nasty wiring changes?

[DrtyE30]

I just picked up a 260 with driveshaft, I'm doing and m20 swap because I have an m20 with 59k on it. I also have everything to turbo that m20 and a megasquirt setup for this same motor. My m42 has 193k on it and I would rather boost a motor that can handel it than this m42 with 21 years of bouncing rev limiter, so I don't believe it's a stupid swap.

[lambo]

I also have everything to turbo that m20 and a megasquirt setup for this same motor.

Good answer.

[nrubenstein]

I'm pretty sure that my Euro 320i with a M20b20 engine has a Getrag 240 gearbox (p/n: 23001220392). Shouldn't that mean that the gearbox would mount to a M20B25 as the block is essentially the same?

Yes. *that* G240 will work fine. The M42 G240 will be at the wrong angle.

[Ryann]

I guess my point was that an m/s5x is a lot better swap into a 16v car than an m20, not to mention the fact that original m20 cars are a dime-a-dozen. If you want one sell the 318is to someone that really wants one and buy a 325. /rant