M44 swap

[Beemerdan]

I have been looking for an M42 for my car, and today I found an M44 for sale. What parts would need to be swapped to put this in my 3181 E30? can I use my intake manifold and headers?
Also did BMW fix the 180 thrust bearing problem when they went to the M44?

Thanks!

[decay]

what engine are you starting with?

[bmwm42]

You can use the m44 you have to change the oil pan harness intake and a couple other things

[Ryann]

The accessory drive setup is completely different as well. Also, the m44 bottom end uses cast parts vs. the m42's forged, and the crank has 1/2 the counterweights. You'd be better off sourcing an m42 imo.

[Beemerdan]

what engine are you starting with?

It has an M42 right now.

You can use the m44 you have to change the oil pan harness intake and a couple other things

So oil pan and intake from the m42? and harness from the m44?

The accessory drive setup is completely different as well.

What do you mean by "accessory drive"?

[Ryann]

^belt drive for the alternator, compressor, ps pump, and water pump.

[Beemerdan]

ok, gotcha!

[decay]

you're going to want to keep the harness/ECU from your current car.

memory is hazy around this, but i want to say the coolant temp sensors are different between the two M42 and M44 versions. something like our cars have two of them, and on later versions they were combined into a dual-element sensor.

[Beemerdan]

Ok, that makes it even easier!

Something like that I should be able to figure out how to accommodate for.

Thanks!