E36 - M42 - M44 Swap

[warrenk]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of buying a non-runner E36 318i from a friend.

Long story short, He was under the impression the car was a 318iS. I never looked at the car in detail as it was a "4cylinder".

Anyway, the motor packed up, his mechanic pulled the old motor out, they bought an import M44 motor, and only once the two motors were next to each other did they notice that they were not the same.

I scratched around on Google and there's a lot of threads regarding this topic, the ones where the people actually did the swap has little to no technical information. Majority of the threads says it's a no go, not worth it and one should rather stick to the M42 as it's not plug and play.
I haven't collected the car or the parts yet so I haven't had a look at the differences between the two engines. From the internet search it seems as if the crank and cam sensors sits on different locations.

Would anyone here have any information regarding this? Only reason I'm asking is because I'm getting the M44 with the car.

 

[Donovan2412]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of buying a non-runner E36 318i from a friend.

Long story short, He was under the impression the car was a 318iS. I never looked at the car in detail as it was a "4cylinder".

Anyway, the motor packed up, his mechanic pulled the old motor out, they bought an import M44 motor, and only once the two motors were next to each other did they notice that they were not the same.

I scratched around on Google and there's a lot of threads regarding this topic, the ones where the people actually did the swap has little to no technical information. Majority of the threads says it's a no go, not worth it and one should rather stick to the M42 as it's not plug and play.
I haven't collected the car or the parts yet so I haven't had a look at the differences between the two engines. From the internet search it seems as if the crank and cam sensors sits on different locations.

Would anyone here have any information regarding this? Only reason I'm asking is because I'm getting the M44 with the car.

If it's the 318i and not the iS it's most likely got a M43 and not M42.

 

[Afterburner]

Just a few that i can think of:

1) M42 uses airflow meter whilst M44 uses air mass meter. that coupled to the different sensor positions would mean getting the wiring loom and ECU.
2) Difference in the thermostat and thermostat housing so different length hose form radiator (no biggy on the hoses)
3) M42 uses viscous fan whilst M44 uses electric. So the cowling are different and wiring required for the electric fan. Also fan switch has different temperature settings.
4) Air filter boxes are different.
5) M42 = 1,8 litre whilst M44 = 1,9 litre.

Hope this helps!

 

[warrenk]

If it's the 318i and not the iS it's most likely got a M43 and not M42.

Hello sir,
I phoned our BMW dealership with the VIN of the vehicle and they confirmed that it's M42. I ended up phoning them after checking on RealOEM and it came up as a 325i.

---

Just a few that i can think of:

1) M42 uses airflow meter whilst M44 uses air mass meter. that coupled to the different sensor positions would mean getting the wiring loom and ECU.
2) Difference in the thermostat and thermostat housing so different length hose form radiator (no biggy on the hoses)
3) M42 uses viscous fan whilst M44 uses electric. So the cowling are different and wiring required for the electric fan. Also fan switch has different temperature settings.
4) Air filter boxes are different.
5) M42 = 1,8 litre whilst M44 = 1,9 litre.

Hope this helps!

Thanks bud. If it means changing loom and ECU I would rather see if I can swap the motor out for an M42. I was hoping it would be a case of swapping intake manifolds over and maybe a cover or two.

 

[Gizmo]

You will need the M44 engine wiring harness, dme and ews with key chip to run it in your 318i.
I'm selling a turnkey 2044cc M42 motor for cheap, comes with so many spares too.

 

[wikked]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of buying a non-runner E36 318i from a friend.

Long story short, He was under the impression the car was a 318iS. I never looked at the car in detail as it was a "4cylinder".

Anyway, the motor packed up, his mechanic pulled the old motor out, they bought an import M44 motor, and only once the two motors were next to each other did they notice that they were not the same.

I scratched around on Google and there's a lot of threads regarding this topic, the ones where the people actually did the swap has little to no technical information. Majority of the threads says it's a no go, not worth it and one should rather stick to the M42 as it's not plug and play.
I haven't collected the car or the parts yet so I haven't had a look at the differences between the two engines. From the internet search it seems as if the crank and cam sensors sits on different locations.

Would anyone here have any information regarding this? Only reason I'm asking is because I'm getting the M44 with the car.

If it's the 318i and not the iS it's most likely got a M43 and not M42.

Not all 318i were M43, a significant number were M42 (like mine)

 

[Afterburner]

Thanks bud. If it means changing loom and ECU I would rather see if I can swap the motor out for an M42. I was hoping it would be a case of swapping intake manifolds over and maybe a cover or two.

You might just be able to swap the front of the engine (where I think the sensor pick up places differ) whilst retaining the M42 intake. I haven't done this so don't just take my word for it. A way of checking is to cross reference the gaskets and sprocket part numbers on realoem.

But that will still not get the fueling correct due to the capacity difference between the motors. At most maybe increasing fuel pressure a bit by way of adjustable fuel pressure regulator and/or electronic work on the airflow and/or ECU.

OR

just get the whole shebang + more from Gizmo.

 

[Afterburner]

Thanks bud. If it means changing loom and ECU I would rather see if I can swap the motor out for an M42. I was hoping it would be a case of swapping intake manifolds over and maybe a cover or two.

You might just be able to swap the front of the engine (where I think the sensor pick up places differ) whilst retaining the M42 intake. I haven't done this so don't just take my word for it. A way of checking is to cross reference the gaskets and sprocket part numbers on realoem.

But that will still not get the fueling correct due to the capacity difference between the motors. At most maybe increasing fuel pressure a bit by way of adjustable fuel pressure regulator and/or electronic work on the airflow and/or ECU.

OR

just get the whole shebang + more from Gizmo.

 

[warrenk]

You will need the M44 engine wiring harness, dme and ews with key chip to run it in your 318i.
I'm selling a turnkey 2044cc M42 motor for cheap, comes with so many spares too.

Thanks, I sent you a PM

 

[ecKARd]

You will need the M44 engine wiring harness, dme and ews with key chip to run it in your 318i.
I'm selling a turnkey 2044cc M42 motor for cheap, comes with so many spares too.

Thanks, I sent you a PM

This will be a very good move! Definitely what I would have done if I were you.
Show us some pics of the process. Everyone loves a engine "swap" :tiptoe: