318is m44 conversion

[andrewpany2002]

hey, i have a 316i and im planing to do a conversion to a 318is, im thinking to use an m44 engine insted of the m42 because its newer and it would be easier to find one thats in good condition, does anybody know if ther will be any problems putting the m44 into my e30 ?

[tim_s]

yeah there will be a few (doable though), what method exactly did you have in mind?

[andrewpany2002]

i was thinking of using the m44 engine but using the intake manifold from the m42 and also the wireloom, gear box and propshaft from the e30 318is ? but ive heard that the m42 is a better engine so i need some advice ?

[e30_Turbo]

IIRC there was a M44 1.9 engine installed in a grey e30, Matt I think.

Went well enough and was for sale not so long ago. So def poss

[cheesebox]

I've always wondered about this as well. Didn't the M42 appear in early E36's? I'd have thought that would suggest easier transplanting of an M44 into an e30. Or maybe that's only true if it's being transplanted into a 318is e30 to mate with "other stuff". As you can probably tell I am no expert whatsoever. Just thinking aloud. Sorry!

[andrewpany2002]

its ok im no expert either, i really would love to use an m42 engine to keep it original but it might be cheaper to use an m44 engine because i would be able to find a better condition one. does anybody know what the exact differences are between the m44 and m42 exept the fact that they used them in different bmws ??

[tim_s]

There are a load of differences, neither is necessarily 'better' than the other, it depends on what you're looking for. Running an m44 engine on e30 ancilliaries etc is giving you the worst of both imo. M44 has MAF, OBD2, DISA, ASC+T etc, all of which you wont be able to use on an e30; e30 has a better crank, and a different head design. M42 revs better and more expensive design, M44 has a bit more torque. best way to do it would be to use nearly everything from the M44, but this would require more work in terms of wiring the C101, EWS etc.

[Royalratch]

Hi - just browsing and saw this.

Are you saying that an M44 does not jsut drop straight in, even if you use the M44 AFM, ECU and Engine Loom?

I'm also interested in dooing this for the same reasons as above but not if it's more work than an M42.

[monkey]

hi i think if you go for an m44 or an m42 from an e36 you will have to change the sump and oil pick up pipe and i think there is something different with the cam or crank sensor