E36 316I to 318i

[Neogenissis]

Hi Guys

What is needed to swap a E36 316I m40 8V motor out for with a 318I M42 16V motor?

I currentyl have a 1994/5 E36 316I

any advise, suggestions, info is much apprecieated.

thanks

 

[zaleonardz]

If your going to go through this hassle, just put in a inline 6 and be done with it...

 

[Jandre]

If your going to go through this hassle, just put in a inline 6 and be done with it...

+1.

 

[Neogenissis]

i know that would be better for all out power but... im looking to try maintain the weight balance of the 4 cyl in the E36

 

[Raybimmer]

Should bolt in ok , but you will need to check ecu etc if its the same . Is your motor same as 16 valve only head differs then could be a head swop only ?

 

[Yuvan]

i know that would be better for all out power but... im looking to try maintain the weight balance of the 4 cyl in the E36

All the chassis of the E36's are the same (i think) weight of a 6 cylinder shouldn't affect the balance of the car. 323i Vanos is a fantastic engine, thats what i will be putting in my 320i chassis as soon as i find a good1 for sale.

No matter what you change to, if im not mistaken the ECU will have to change as well, maybe upgrading the braking system will be recommended aswell not too sure about that though.

If you concerned about fuel economy than stick with the 316/318i.

Good Luck:=):

 

[Neogenissis]

i know that would be better for all out power but... im looking to try maintain the weight balance of the 4 cyl in the E36

All the chassis of the E36's are the same (i think) weight of a 6 cylinder shouldn't affect the balance of the car. 323i Vanos is a fantastic engine, thats what i will be putting in my 320i chassis as soon as i find a good1 for sale.

No matter what you change to, if im not mistaken the ECU will have to change as well, maybe upgrading the braking system will be recommended aswell not too sure about that though.

If you concerned about fuel economy than stick with the 316/318i.

Good Luck:=):

yes fuel consumption is a point to concider. hence why im looking at the 318i engine

i do want to know if the existing ecu in the 316i will work for the 318i engine. and what else it might need interms of difference between the 2 engines.

 

[Yuvan]

Looking at it from a logical point of view and reason, i would THINK that the ECU will have to change to accomodate the 318i engine simply because the 316i ECU will think its still dictating to a 316i engine causing the 318i not to perform as it should.

I have heard of bigger engines under performing due to the incorrect ECU on the E36's.

Any1 else think the 316i ECU will agree with the 318i engine???

 

[moranor@axis]

am not sure about the e36 but with the e46 the 6 cyl burn about the same fuel as the 4 cyl but give way more go...

 

[Neogenissis]

Any one know what spec ecus they both use? and if they are compatible with both motors?

 

[Jacques Motorem]

M40 still has an ignition distributor while M42 has a coil pack - so you need another ECU. As Yuvan says you might want to consider brakes (upgrade to ventilated) as you will be going from 83 kw to 100 kw.

Good luck

 

[Karthik]

Sell your 316i and buy a 318i , job done , no hassles

 

[andrewbuch]

am not sure about the e36 but with the e46 the 6 cyl burn about the same fuel as the 4 cyl but give way more go...

I used to get max 350Km from my tank in the E36 316i ... obviously in town driving.. now in the E46 I regularly see 500km's

---

If you going to go through the whole mission of swapping an engine, rather get a 6cyl in there...

 

[Neogenissis]

Sell your 316i and buy a 318i , job done , no hassles

thanks for the advice but i currently dont have the option to do that....

i'm sticking to my 316i.

---

am not sure about the e36 but with the e46 the 6 cyl burn about the same fuel as the 4 cyl but give way more go...

I used to get max 350Km from my tank in the E36 316i ... obviously in town driving.. now in the E46 I regularly see 500km's

---

If you going to go through the whole mission of swapping an engine, rather get a 6cyl in there...

---

im hoping to maintian the 4cyl Weight distribution ratio as in 6cyl the weight is more furthur up front than the 4cyl.
this will aid in a more balanced car (front to rear weight bias).

hence why i want to keep to the 4cyl....