m40 to e36 m42 engine questions

[mc_hawkings24]

Hi right


i was wondering if i could use the m40 engine mounts on the m42? does the e30 speedo cable fit?

can i use the 8valver sump

can i use the e36 exhaust manifold or do i need e30

Gearboxes: is i worth me changing my standard m40 box to the m42 box is it a closer ration one. The e36 fuel inlet manifold some have said to change to the e30 one is it because it wont fit or is it better flow

questions questions but thanks

[rix313]

The speedo runs from the diff, so which cable are you refering to?

You can use the M40 (8v) sump.

Pretty sure you need the E30 M42 exhaust manifold.

The M40/M42 gear boxes are both Getrag 240's so they're the same, the only difference is the rear flange as out lined in the sticky thread.

HTH

[mc_hawkings24]

You know i just noticed you replied to my second thread since i joined and now you replied in this one haha coincidence.

Well mate after owning mine and reading up on stuff and working on it its fairly basic & easy.

I thought as much on the manifold as the 36 is probably a longer engine bay.
Glad the 8v sump fits thanks and the gearbox well i heard it would go straight on the original and mines fine.

Oh yes i meant accelerator cable not speedo sorry and the engine mounts are you not sure on those?

thanks again

[alync205]

You would be better off using your origional gearbox I'd say as the E36 box has different ratios and they would be far too short.I am fairly sure the E36 has a direct 5th gear,where as the E30 one is overdrive.
Looks like the throttle cable is different from looking on realoem anyway.
I think your engine mounts will probaly fit on allright but wont be up to the job really.The 318iS mounts are expensive so some people use other types eg.M50,E28 M5 mounts.

The E36 inlet manifold will fit allright.Some people say you are better with the E30 manifold but with the E36 manifold you will have more low down torque,with the E30 one you would prob get more top end power.It depends what you want really.

[mc_hawkings24]

Cheers guys for the info

It just makes it easier to get it in and running then get the better parts later. I just need to get the engine i'm looking at atm

thanks

[mc_hawkings24]

i got a e36 engine yesterday untested but apparently works and came with everything.
Question is where about is the engine number so i can check if its an m42 or m44 as i want to replace the tensioners and water pump beforei drop it in.

If the starters knackered can the m40 one fit.

thanks

[rix313]

M40 starter will fit.

Best way to tell if it's an M42 or M44 is where the CPS (Crank Position Sensor) is. M42 has the CPS on the front (fitted to a lug on the front lower timing case) and the M44 has the CPS at the back (fitted to the inlet side of the engine at the back of the block).

[mc_hawkings24]

Hi mate i checked it and its an m42 and the starter on it is broken so i'll be swaping the m40 one.
Another thing looking at the e36 loom whats needed to connect up to the m40 fuse box wiring.
Is there any digrams or is mr haynes come in handy

thanks

[rix313]

Might be worth just finding an E30 m42 loom, not sure how adaptable an E36 engine loom would be to an E30 car loom. Might be worth speaking to 'zimmerkid' I know he had a butchers at it

[mc_hawkings24]

I'm going for the safe option of e30 loom now. I had alook at the wiring from both ecu's and theres half the amount in the m40 loom but lots of earths and grounds.

What was it like using the e30 m42 loom onto the m40 cheers

[rix313]

Just plugs in. ECU plug goes through the bulk head then there is a large circular multipin plug near the fuse box which the engine loom screws into

'Fitment is reverse of removal'

[zimmerkid]

Might be worth just finding an E30 m42 loom, not sure how adaptable an E36 engine loom would be to an E30 car loom. Might be worth speaking to 'zimmerkid' I know he had a butchers at it

I got an e30 loom in the end! But im not sure it was the right way to go as i think this could be the cause of my running issues! Keep us posted on which you use if it works!!

[mc_hawkings24]

Hope you get it fixed soon and let us know your problem fix.


Just to see if im going nuts or something but the ecu loom and engine loom are the same thing or are they two different things?

If its the same anyone know if you can use the e36 coil pack with the e30 is engine loom ie does it plug up or can the wires from the loom plug be spliced and joined to the e36 plug


thanks.

[rix313]

The ECU is attached to the engine loom

Depends which E36 coil pack it is. The later cars had a long thin coil pack with one screw on connector from the loom lke this:



This is no good for the E30. The VERY early E36's used the E30 coil packs. I can't find a photo atm but if you have the item pictured above then you can't use it unless you use the E36 loom.

[mc_hawkings24]

Ok dude i have the one pictured. Glad the loom is the whole thing i was getting worried.
I pm'd you about the exhaust

[mc_hawkings24]

Hi dudes does anyone have any pics of the coil pack mounting and can it be taken off? or ill have to make something up

[mc_hawkings24]

Ok having trouble working out some pipes because of what the previous owners done.
Now on the tb under the butterfly the pipes blocked and to the left is another tube with a bolt in. Do these pipes need to be unblocked and used if so where do they go?



on this water cooled sandwich plate it looks like an in and out where do they go

its all good help cheers

[alync205]

On the throttle body the pipe to the left is not needed and be left blocked.The pipe on the bottom of the throttle body I am fairly sure the crankcase breather goes into (I will check this tommorow to be sure).
The heater plate is not really needed so no need to put any pipes onto it.Infact you can remove it alltogether if you want.Some people say you get a bit more power without it as it heats up the air a bit.

[mc_hawkings24]

thanks very much appreciate the help

[rix313]

The lower one is where the cam cover breather goes to. Run a pipe from the spout at the front of the cam cover to that lower spout on the throttle.

I happened to make mine from silicone hose:

[alync205]

Yes the lower pipe on the throttle body is basically coming from the cam cover(engine breather).Originally it is going through another funny shaped pipe below the manifold which has a metal water pipe going through it ->http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=35
Most of the pipes are not needed anyway.Here is a guide to removing what you dont need ->http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthr ... ater+plate

[mc_hawkings24]

Thats great thanks for that i've blocked off whats not needed. Now all thats left is wiring and some crank seals if i can get them

[mc_hawkings24]

As i have an e36 engine one of the crank or cam sensors is alittle different. At the far left arrow is that where both the crank and cam plug in? In the far right what goes there?

Also the circled plugs i have two coming out of one wiring sleeve a black and a grey plug and a single black plug on its own.

Are the two for the coolant and temp sensor on the head?



The big plugs for the airflow meter but i have two plugs one two pin and a three pin are they left hanging or do they plug in somewhere?

thanks again

[alync205]

At the far left is where the cam and crank sensors plug in.
The plug at the far right is where the injector loom plugs in.It is a amall seperate loom on its own.
The 3 plugs you have circled are the coolant temp sensors and oil pressure switch plugs.
The plugs beside the AFM plug,I think the 3 pin one is for the throttle position sensor and the 2 pin one is left hanging.

[mc_hawkings24]

Ah i just clicked on the throttle position switch! i wonder what the two pin that hangs is for.
I know its only a tiny loom compared to todays standards but does help haha

and thanks i can get on with the rest of the conversion at the weekend fingers crossed

[mc_hawkings24]

Hi guys got a quick question on wiring. On the starter motor wires there three coming out of the sheeth, the main feed and earth and this green wire with black trace its live when the ignitions switched live what is it for?

thanks

[mc_hawkings24]

sorted

[mc_hawkings24]

Hi just quick question on gearboxes. Will the IS 16v gear box give more top end than the standard m40 box?

[MrWhite]

The M40 and M42 gearboxes are the identical save for the output flange. The M42 box has a slightly longer output flange and so takes a shorter prop shaft.

[bmwowner]

mc_hawkings24, what condition is the m40 in? is it quiet? and what mileage has it done if you still have it?

[mc_hawkings24]

I heard the m42 box has an overdrive on 5th gear? Just its near enough the same speed 90 on, i was expecting alittle more from it

[mc_hawkings24]

Sorry i stripped it and let the scrap man take it it was worn out anyway

[bmwowner]

ok thankyou mate,

[mc_hawkings24]

Hi got abit of confusion going on

From 90 onwards 5th gear is rather slow to get up to speed can only manage 122 on the clocks but gets there ever so slowly

Now i was thinking the final drive was the 5th gear but have been told the final drive is in the diff.

Now i have been up against an e36 318is in the past up to 140 in my old mk2 golf 16v that had a very tall 5th gear.
Now i was expecting the same so you can see my disappointment.

I have a 318is e36 gearbox and apparently has a direct drive 5th gear will this help? i have also found that the e36 318is has a 3.45 and the e30 has a 4.10 final drive

any pointers would be great thanks