just bought a 91 318is for $200

[Eric Happy Meal]

engine is blown and i have a good source on an M44 engine, and as far as a i know what i need for the swap to work is:

use the M42 pan, and intake/exhaust manifolds, and also maf
upgrade the DME maps for the M44
make the dual temp sensor on the M44 accomodate the M42 wiring

now, other than those the only problem i see is with the cam gear/sensors. has anyone found out what exacley is needed? seems to me like there are a few different solutions, but none list any specifics. i think the m42 and m44 use two different style sensors with two different triggers with them as well. now if i use the m42 sensor, what size spacer do i need to use?

(im really trying to get everything figured out before i start so im not taking up a lift at my local shop for a couple weeks with this swap)

[Eric Happy Meal]

heres some pics of it.

[Hick]

use the M44 short block and run the M42 wiring/ECU

dont get too crazy. The other issue with using the M44 wiring/ECU/DME/whatever is the lack of a knock sensors on the m42. you would need to swap over the wiring harness or figure out how to get that info to the ECU

[Eric Happy Meal]

use the M44 short block and run the M42 wiring/ECU

dont get too crazy. The other issue with using the M44 wiring/ECU/DME/whatever is the lack of a knock sensors on the m42. you would need to swap over the wiring harness or figure out how to get that info to the ECU

well i was planning on using the M42 harness, so the M44 having a knock sensor doesnt really affect anything, since its technically just extra (unneeded) info.

and do the cam sensors get their reading off of the cam's themselves or off of the sprockets?

[Hick]

cam sensor reads off the exhaust cam gear only

[Liam]

Be warned, the M44 crank isn't the strongest chunk of steel BMW ever made and it won't spin up like the m42 at all.

[Eric Happy Meal]

Be warned, the M44 crank isn't the strongest chunk of steel BMW ever made and it won't spin up like the m42 at all.

engine is staying stock for this car/build, so that shouldnt be too much of a problem.

[16v of E30]

go buy a good used m42 for $400 and drop it in.
theres two for sale up here in vancouver bc, that i know of.

[e30trooper]

welcom abord LA local!

[Eric Happy Meal]

car is up and running. (took about 25ish hours to do the swap)

coilovers go in monday.

[Hick]

which management are you using?

[B. Tyler]

car is up and running. (took about 25ish hours to do the swap)

coilovers go in monday.

Congrats! post new pics when you get the coilovers on! What suspension will you be running?

[jahnaboi]

car is up and running. (took about 25ish hours to do the swap)

coilovers go in monday.

Nice. I'd like to see this. I pm'd you about something though.

[e304me]

did the m42 pan fit on the m44?

[M-technik-3]

Haha nice rat, I just acquired a $200 dollar M42 rat today as well. Mine is a North East car so it has opposite issues of sun faded paint.

Mine is a 236K 318i, needs a diff and a fender.