M43 interchangeability

[GregGPerth]

Hi, Newbie here, needing help.
E36 318i with M43, and the usual cracked head.
Can I fit a M43 out of a E46 ? Or just the head ? Unfortunately, it's the only replacement engine I can find , and it's low mileage and priced right !

 

[A.C.SCHNITZER]

Hi Greg

The m43 (e36/e46) heads are interchangeable, done the same project in May, good luck in finding a good head :=):

 

[GregGPerth]

thanks mate, the head on the E46 donor motor is good. Is it a straightforward changeover, or is there anything to watch out for ?

 

[A.C.SCHNITZER]

The only difference i noticed was that the e36 uses 2 coolant temperature sensors and the e46 uses 1 coolant temperature sensor with 4 wires but the other whole was closed with something like a bolt u will have to unscrew and plug your sensor and then all is sorted

 

[GregGPerth]

The only difference i noticed was that the e36 uses 2 coolant temperature sensors and the e46 uses 1 coolant temperature sensor with 4 wires but the other whole was closed with something like a bolt u will have to unscrew and plug your sensor and then all is sorted

Thank you. I quite like the idea of installing the whole (low mileage) E46 engine. I have everything, including ecu, engine harness, air box with airflow sensor etc. As far as I can tell, it's really only the position of the crank angle sensor, (and now the coolant temp sensor) that differs. I assume the trigger values from the CAS would be similar, so am I right in thinking it would just be a matter of extending the wiring to the new CAS position ? Or am I greatly over simplifying something that is actually complex ?