318iS Touring conversion...

[Royalratch]

Got a plush 1994 L plate in Royal Metallic Blue. Really nice and totally original condition - Fogs, ABS and clean load bay. Want to do an iS job on it. I can do most jobs myself except deep engine work - hence you guys.










I can deal with the suspension, interior mods, exhaust and brake set-up but the engine install is a little beyond my tools/space and to be frank - skills.

1) M42 Engine - what would I need? M42 loom? ECU? iS front axle subframe?

I'm going to add Sports Leather in Grey (anyone have for a touring?)

I would be happy to pay someone to source the engine, extras and fit it. Someone with experience in this who is bored?

Cheers.

[E30Adam]

Wow, that's a sexy touring. You'll defo need the loom and ECU for the iS.

[jmc330i]

Engine, loom (engine side), ECU (maybe gearbox) from the iS.

Suspension on the touring should be the bigger stuff (as fitted to the iS), so that doesnt really need changing - ARBs maybe different, but its probably worth getting some uprated ones anyway.

Front subframes are all the same.

Let us know how you get on, I might be doing the 'iS' conversion to my touring, so I would be interested to hear how it goes.

[Royalratch]

So I don't need a whole 'car' loom, just the engine loom that will connect to the standard 318i loom? Where does that start and end by the way?

Anyone out there interested in doing the job and/or sourcing me a solid low-mileage M42? Costs please...

Suspension on the touring should be the bigger stuff (as fitted to the iS), so that doesnt really need changing - ARBs maybe different, but its probably worth getting some uprated ones anyway.

Not clear on what you mean there bud. You mean leave it alone? Woss an ARB?

I would have thought it would need MTEC Gas dampers/-15mm springs all round, and the bigger discs to make it proper.

[eko]

Engine/gearbox/propshaft,readiator,coil pack,AFM and airbox and at least the front section of exhaust(dont know if the full iS system fits tourer) that should be it i think!
Suspension and brakes on a tourer should be upto spec id say!
Weekends work with a toolbox and engine crane could easy see it done

Oh and you will only need the engine loom!
Connects at the C101 plug on the bulkhead

[Royalratch]

Damn.

So it is for sure not just an engine/ECU/loom job?

Guess I'll have to take some time sourcing these parts. So I guess the correct way is going to be to hit a breaking iS for all this parts.

Can anyone else confirm the conversion goes as far as the above spec - no disrespect eko.

So you're saying the Tourings use MTEC level suspension and brakes also for sure definitely...?

[eko]

No disrespect taken,i do stand to be corrected!
I do know the iS(M42) exhaust is different to say an M40 one so that is definate,as is the M42 radiator is bigger than M40!
Coil pack is a must along with ECU obviously.
AFM is definately different.

Pretty sure all tourers came with rear discs and Mtec spec shocks as standard,need to confirm that though!

If its any use-around January(?) time i am converting my mates 318is to 2.5 M50.
All you need for this swap would be available complete.
From memory engine has covered approx 105K and has stacks of history,runs and goes very well indeed

[Royalratch]

Consider it taken. Get a price together and it's a deal. Would you also do the swap whilst you're all geared up to do it?

I'll PM you to swap details.

[Brianmoooore]

You don't say what engine the tourer has already, but, on an L plate it'll be a four pot I presume.
Conversion should be easy. No electrical work involved.
All tourings come with the best bits suspension wise as standard, so no work needed there.
Can't see any reason why the iS exhaust wouldn't fit on the touring OK. Saloons and tourings have the same floor pan.
Only thing that will be missing is the mount for the iS coilpack, and I think that's available from your dealer

[Royalratch]

Even better news.

It's an M40 318i.

So Brian, are you saying no loom, no ECU - what about AFM/radiator/propshaft as per eko's reply?

Just out of interest, what does the coil pack do?

[Brianmoooore]

You need the engine complete - and that includes the AFM, loom and ECU. Don't even remove the loom from the engine. Loom connects to the car at the C101 connector and battery + and - terminals only.
Never tried to fit an iS engine into anything else, but the radiator will probably do, if a little undersize, and the prop may well fit as well, but I'm not sure on this.
In fact, now I think about it, I'm fairly sure that two props that are lying side by side on my workshop floor and are identical, came from a M40 and an iS respectively.

[Brianmoooore]

Coil pack = ignition coil(s).

[Royalratch]

Okay.

Many thanks for all help. Got a clearer pic of what's needed now, maybe eko will help make this happen in Jan.

I'll get started on the interior/exterior in the meantime.

Guys, there's cash waiting for grey Touring Sports Leather - I'll just hit the trimmers if there's nothing mint going around so grab some dough off me!

[OBs]

I can back Eko up on the Engine etc its all good!! The car was totally standard when brought and matey has only had it a while and looks after it really well..... It isnt some ragged bag of crap sums it up really!!

[bennyboy]

when i converted mine from m40 to m42 i had to change from section of prop. m42 was shorter. would be easier to replace whole prop rather than try to split it like me.

[jbee]

if anyone still got it (i have) TBMW March 2003, theres a few pages on a silver tourer with a 318is conv

[jbee]

allways wanted to do this conv, maybe when the IS rots away ill do it

[Jamese30]

bennyboy,
Did you stick with the 318i gearbox when you did your conversion, and just change the front end of the prop?

[Royalratch]

Hello peeps.

So I have a sourced a body-rotten 318iS with a sound 112K M42 and subframe/suspension to put in my Touring. Question:

Are the Diffs different, if so, how will it drive if I leave the 318i diff in?

Cheers.

The 318iS will be broken after I've taken, engine, AFM, ECU etc.
It's Diamond Metallic Black with very clean 15" BBS wheels and an immaculate interior (though the sports seats are gone).

[jon_pure_british]

nice to see this project is still going along mate.

to answer your dif question, if you wanted to do an IS job on the touring only makes sense to put the IS diff on it, but definatly keep it spare if you dont decide to put it in.

if it comes to it, when its on the road, drive a week with one dif and a week with the other and then see how it is.

[eko]

Dont 4 cylinder tourings have 4.45 diffs fitted?
318is will be 4.10.

[Jhonno]

yeah i think they do.. M42 swap is pretty piss easy imo

leave the 4.45 in there

[StuBeeDoo]

Dont 4 cylinder tourings have 4.45 diffs fitted?
318is will be 4.10.

4-cyl (and 320i) Tourings came fitted with 4.27 diffs, unless they were auto - in which case they had 4.45.

[stuartgallafant]

ratch, where do you live?

[Chris-W]

Pimlico.

[suzie650]

The diff you've got on the touring will be fine, just compensates for the increased weight. - Unless the one on the iS was an lsd, there is no point in changing it.

@jbee
is that "seltene Esel Plate" touring yours?

[Royalratch]

ratch, where do you live?

Why do you ask?

I don't live in Pimlico. I just have parcels sent there.

I am kicking round South Ken at the moment whilst looking for a house as I've just returned from working abroad for the last 6 years (1 Germany, 1 USA and 4 in Amsterdam).

To the diffs! Which diff would give better acceleration?

This project should be finished by end of April in time for a leather re-trim, iS lip and SE skirts and some paint.
Last to do will be wheels, maybe 5-stud.

[Royalratch]

Pimlico.

Is there a reason why you're answering people as to where I live even though they asked me and it's none of your concern?

[bigun]

what happened to 'keep it factory boys'

[Royalratch]

What? - M42's are factory.

Touring needs a new engine truth be told - no point putting another M40 in there...

[bigun]

lol too right should be nice with an M42 up it good luck with it

[Royalratch]

Will post up picks of the donor car soon. - it's got really bad rot for an iS and I know everyone loves to see bad rot so they feel better about their won cars -

But the funny thing is, the interior is spotless, and the engine and suspension etc are great too.

Though late Tourings all have vented discs and -15mm MTEC suspension just like the iS.

So don't know if it will be engine/gearbox out the top of the iS or drop it out the bottom still attached to the subframe, discs and axle etc.
Will ultimately be looking for more power from the stock M42 so may have to stray from Herr Rosches masterpiece and tweak it out with a K&N, tweaked ECU and maybe even some cam goodies if they exist. Not if it upsets the running or noise too much tho...

[jbee]

The diff you've got on the touring will be fine, just compensates for the increased weight. - Unless the one on the iS was an lsd, there is no point in changing it.

@jbee
is that "seltene Esel Plate" touring yours?

i wish it was in a mag a while back, tempted to do it tho

[Royalratch]

Well, the time has come.

I have been quoted a minimum of £500 to drop an M42 into my L-Plate Touring.

Anyone in/very near London interested in beating that?

I have a complete 318iS so would bring both cars so it you would have everything you need and you decide whether to drop the engine/subframe out or lift the engine out the top.

I have neither the space or time but will help and document the process for the zone too. Hopefully could be done over a weekend?

Otherwise it goes to my local specialist end of month.

[m-dtech]

m40 gearbox will fit too, just need a bigger guibo on the end of the box mounting to the prop.