Engine Swap M40-->> M42...?(E30-Andy?)

[SwirlyE30]

Right.Well im a bit confused at the moment. Ive currently got a 318i M40,it aint bad,but it aint all that. My brother luckily has an IS parked on the drive which was involved in a crash a few weeks back.

Now i was planning on getting an IS in september sort of time,and i dissmissed the fact that theres a good nick IS engine ,box,loom etc all out on the drive (we havnt bought it back, but probably will if we can) and i just thought it would be easier to sell mine and buy an is as a replacement.

But a)How easy is it to swap the 2 motors over, and what would need doing?Lump - box? - ECU? - brakes? etc
Ive got everything at my disposal,although im not really able to do it myself so id probably have to get some help.

And

b) Whats the deal with insurance.Im currently on my dads policy as a named driver.Would it be possible to try and stay on that and get cover for the car with them knowing its been done, or would it be easier to start my own policy and hope that they allow me to get cover on it as it will be classed as modifeid?


Be nice ot hear from E30-Andy whos just done this

[rare]

Luckily? Something aint right there!

[Karan]

u need engine, box, prop, gear linkages, rad and all the loom and ecu.

its a pretty simple swap especially as u have the iS donor car sitting there anyway DO IT!!!

2 people could do it easily in a day if they know what they are doing

[SwirlyE30]

lol well ill think about it more once the insurance has given the nod about my brothers car and if were going to buy it back. Shame i dont know what im doing lol!! Dont supose anyone wants to help....

[SwirlyE30]

Right.Well now that rares getting some 2.7 power, im veyr keen on getting this done if we keep the car!

Cheers for the reply karan mate.

Hopefully if i do it i might be able to get some local help, Dave offered once his exams are over,and im sure i could get a couple more bitch monkeys down to help out.


Does anyone have any more details on what needs doing.Or maybe a step by step,be nice to know of problems that i might be facing so i could prepare for them.


And if i do swap lumps it is adviseable to check the M42 engine over even thought it ran fine, what could be done, head? any other work?Be nice to know its going to run sweet when its in there.


Hopefully this will solve my problems as i dont want to change my car!

[Karan]

Right.Well now that rares getting some 2.7 power, im veyr keen on getting this done if we keep the car!

Cheers for the reply karan mate.

Hopefully if i do it i might be able to get some local help, Dave offered once his exams are over,and im sure i could get a couple more bitch monkeys down to help out.


Does anyone have any more details on what needs doing.Or maybe a step by step,be nice to know of problems that i might be facing so i could prepare for them.


And if i do swap lumps it is adviseable to check the M42 engine over even thought it ran fine, what could be done, head? any other work?Be nice to know its going to run sweet when its in there.


Hopefully this will solve my problems as i dont want to change my car!

just do the serviceable bits like oils/plugs/cooloant/ tensioner?..... wouldnnt bother with anything else or ull be spending serious money which defeats the object doesnt it.... for no reason and little gain

Karan

[SwirlyE30]

Yeh that sounds good mate.I think the engines pretty sound anyway,so it might just be a case of doing what you said.

Ill let people know how this idea developes!!

[E30-Andy]

Pretty straightforward job but definitely easier if you have the donor car. Mine is now all swapped over, just canÔš't get the bugger started.

You will need to swap:

Engine
Gear Box
Engine Mounts
Prop Shaft
Engine wiring loom and ECU
Exhaust Manifold and System
Coil Pack and Coil Pack Brackets
Airflow Meter and piping to throttle body

Obviously all the inlet manifolds and throttle body etc. as part of the engine.
My 318 radiator was the same as the 318iS so didnÔš't need to swap.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Andy

[SwirlyE30]

Cheers mate thats a big help.
Did you run into any problems?

How long did it take you to do? Im hoping that if we keep the car (still trying to sort out the insurance but their taking ages) then i can maybe get it done in a day or two, with help from some local people i know!

[E30-Andy]

It's taken me about 3 months coz I've been at work most weekends.

You should be able to get it done in a weekend if you work at it full time and arnt waiting around for parts from the dealers.

Saying that I've got some sort of electrical problem I just can't seem to resolve.

Cheers

Andy

[SwirlyE30]

Oh right. Was everything working in the is before you swap it all over? If i do do this then i know that my brothers car ran sweet, and it will just be a case of literally leaving everything needed on the engine attached, plyus the parts and fit it. So there shouldnt be any problems.

It would be best over the weekend as i dont work, but im sure it could be done over a couple of days!