waste of $$ on 85 318i

[ViEtNaMeeH]

Im thinking of swapping an m50 or an m20 in the future into my 85 318.....

but i hear it would be easier to do it on a 325...???

whats different when swapping an m50 into a 318 then 325?are there extra parts needed into a 318?
m20 swap not worth the time and money?
how much am i looking to spend if i do it myself or if i let a shop do it?

...but anyone with experience swapping a 6cyl motor into a early 318..can u please enlighten me thank you.

[Jon325i]

If you have a 325i/is, you can retain the radiator and some of the hoses. With 'other' E30s you would have to swap out everything.

Also, if you were to drop in a non-vanos M50 (1992 only), you could use a 325i/is Getrag 260 gearbox. The vanos M50 and S50 will require the E36 gearbox.

Jon

[Jordan]

The vanos M50 and S50 will require the E36 gearbox.

No they don't....

[Jon325i]

The vanos M50 and S50 will require the E36 gearbox.

No they don't....

They don't :?

I've been misinformed :x

Jon

[James Crivellone]

The vanos M50 and S50 will require the E36 gearbox.

No they don't....

They don't :?

I've been misinformed :x

Jon

nope, you just need a different tranny mount and i THINK shift linkage, as the tranny will be tilted a little bit

[ViEtNaMeeH]

so does nayone have alist of what to get for an early 318....cause all i see in the DOHC thread is 325s it hink

[nando]

how about brakes... drums in the rear + solid rotors in the front = toast behind an S50

[Jon325i]

so does nayone have alist of what to get for an early 318....cause all i see in the DOHC thread is 325s it hink

Those early 318s will basically need every component that makes the car stop, go and corner revamped. The stock brakes are no match for the increased power.....at the very least you would want to swap out for later E30 325i/is set up (for an M50....S50 think bbk or 5-bolt conversion). Suspension: everything. Then, of course, all that drivetrain stuff which got you to this point to begin with.

Jon

[James Crivellone]

so does nayone have alist of what to get for an early 318....cause all i see in the DOHC thread is 325s it hink

325i front brakes, 325i rear trailing arms with brakes, large case diff, rewire electrical system to support new motor (not too hard)

325i front strut as well, you need a rear sway bar, bigger front sway.

Basically the frame is all you want, the entire underbody suspension wise needs to be upgraded/replaced.

Now, at most yards the above parts are cheap as dirt, so if that work is worth it to you, then game on

[ViEtNaMeeH]

thank you

[ViEtNaMeeH]

sorry i tried searching9 i coudnt find what i was looking for but i found an 95 m42\

will this bolt up nicely to an 85 318?

will my stock tranny werk with this motor? thx

[Brew]

If you have a 325i/is, you can retain the radiator and some of the hoses. With 'other' E30s you would have to swap out everything.

Also, if you were to drop in a non-vanos M50 (1992 only), you could use a 325i/is Getrag 260 gearbox. The vanos M50 and S50 will require the E36 gearbox.

Since Jordan corrected you on the tranny bit, I'll correct you on the other part.
If you have a late model (89+) 325i/is, then you can retain the radiator and the coolant resevoir.

For future information, the non-vanos is the same as the vanos motor externally, except for the valve cover.

[clutterbucker]

The M42 would be a nice upgrade....and you could keep mostly everything aside from the transmission I believe. Don't quote me on that, but it seems like maybe you should just buy a 1991 381is.....it came with the M42 already in it.

[ViEtNaMeeH]

but with 95 m42......if i do want some power i can go ahead and get a downing atlanta super charger and it will bolt ryte up...i dont know just throwing some ideas...and i heards 95 is the "best m42"

[808BMW]

I'm almost positive by then they had M44's. Didn't m42's only run for 1 or 2 years in e36's?

Just put an m50 in there, its under 1 grand at euro depot for a non vanos m50.