NOR-CAL General Chat.

[2mAn]

I typed a nice response answering your questions then it failed in posting. so, I'll just summarize the end of it. FIX THE M42. save your money. I wish I had just purchased a good 885 head and had been done with it, instead Ive spent thousands more than I wanted to and I havent regularly driven my E30 in over a year.

[Vivek]

Yeah that's the most likely option. I just want my damn car back is really it. It could have an m10 in it at this point and it'd still put a stupid grin on my face to just be able to drive it. My biggest issue is that I need an m42 and after buying stevens that mysteriously doesn't run in my car, I want one from a shop/recycler that has a guarantee on it. Because the PO may be totally honest but for some reason the engine just may take a shit on itself and it could be literally no one's fault.

[mtech325]

Will a stock m20 clutch and flywheel (late model single mass) not clear the engine? I already have the clutch and flywheel and starter. I have e28 motor mounts that I'm using on my m42 with already modified studs. Only things I see being a problem could be wiring, brake booster, and exhaust. But at the same time, I dropped the exact same engine my car came with into it and it isn't fuckin working so idk if it's something I should take on. Is the g240 that bad? I've heard people saying it'll blow, others saying it's better than a 260 because it's lighter and (I believe) doesn't twist 10°.

Stock m20 flywheel will interfere with the oil pan, so you either shave the pan or shave the flywheel (and lose a few lbs). The g240 is just weaker, it's not that you can't use it, but why waste the effort of using something that can't be abused when g260s are dime a dozen (just need a modified trans brace). If you go the zf route, be sure to get a 3.25 or taller gearing, otherwise a 3.73 or 4.10 is going to be revving way to high on the freeway. You'll top out at like 95 or 100 mph, but at least you'll get there really quickly!

[2mAn]

If you want to drive your car, then you shouldnt start another motor swap. you have 2 M42s if I am interpreting you right. figure out what the problem is. you dont solve a problem by creating a new one. you're just creating a new problem

[toddness]

+1

[Vivek]

If you want to drive your car, then you shouldnt start another motor swap. you have 2 M42s if I am interpreting you right. figure out what the problem is. you dont solve a problem by creating a new one. you're just creating a new problem

Part of my problem is that I'm (clearly) not that good with engines, and I'd rather just swap in another that's guaranteed to run. I could get that done on one Saturday. If I was to tear into the engines, there's no guarantee I'd be able to assemble everything 100% perfect, and I don't know what's wrong with either of them. I suspect one (old one) needs new piston rings and a new head. The one currently in my car may need a new oil pump, but that's not guaranteed to work and it's just not worth it to me to replace. Not to mention many people seem to think my bearings may be damaged from running dry and I agree. Normally I value my time at a very low amount, but at this point I'm fed up and I just want my car, and a new engine seems like the quickest way to do that.

Anyone need two broken m42's?

[RCM3]

I absolutely despise the m42 and would love to get rid of it also. Ive been closely following your thread as I'm having similar issues and just dont want to go to great lengths to tear this 4 cylinder down... again. I just junked an m42 and this one in my 318i sedan might be gone soon also. Its just not worth the headache, time, and money for such a boring powerplant at the end of the day. As much as I want to keep my car original, if I cant fix my m42 woes soon Ill be in the position youre in regrading swaps.

[mbonanni]

Call him Spencer

[Steven]

Call him Spencer

hahahhaa

[Pantless Spency]

hahahhaa

Call the guy with the e28?


I'm so confused and tired hahahhaz

[Pantless Spency]

Soooooo I did a thing today.

[decay]

I absolutely despise the m42 and would love to get rid of it also. Ive been closely following your thread as I'm having similar issues and just dont want to go to great lengths to tear this 4 cylinder down... again. I just junked an m42 and this one in my 318i sedan might be gone soon also. Its just not worth the headache, time, and money for such a boring powerplant at the end of the day. As much as I want to keep my car original, if I cant fix my m42 woes soon Ill be in the position youre in regrading swaps.

i must be really lucky. i've had shit go south on my engine (alternator, that plastic coolant pipe, and i think i need a new water pump soon because i'm starting to run warm at idle) but nothing that you wouldn't expect on a car that was 20 years old and not in great shape when i bought it.

other than that, i change the oil, i've bolted shit onto it and made sure it's tuned right, i beat the shit out of it, and it keeps going.

[mbonanni]

Spence, wut...

[kronus]

Soooooo I did a thing today

what the fuck

[mbonanni]

Yeah that