E30 Zone

Hi guys,

I'm completely new to this forum, and have a question for you experts out there;

Im putting a m42 engine in an '92 318i convertible. the M42 i have is from an automatic, so there is a second flat connector on the loom, that went to the gearbox. I changed the OBD to bypass EWS issues now red one). will this be enough to work, and just forget the second connector, or is there a solution for this? would try to avoid finding, and bying a new loom...

thank you!

Hi John, welcome!

Have you checked the Zone wiki? People convert from auto to manual all the time so have a look and see what the steps have been there for cancelling out any interference from the old auto box ECU https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... _To_Manual. For your information here is the M42 pin out diagram for the ECU just incase you need it.

Thanks,

unfortunately, the wiki shows a swap with a manual m42 and transmission, so a manual loom. I can't seem to find any info of peaple using the engine and loom from an automatic transmission :-/

Just forget the second connector.

Thx Brian, after taking the entire thing apart, i made the same conclusion )

JohnA wrote: ↑

Sun May 31, 2020 9:15 pm

Thx Brian, after taking the entire thing apart, i made the same conclusion )

At least you'll be able to cut out the excess wires before binding it back up, and make a tidier job.

John.
assuming the M42 engine and loom were previously from an e36 as the e30 never had an automatic M42 option.
such a swap is possible but as you have learnt, not necessarily straightforward.
The e36 air intake is very different and more complex.
In the past I have taken the M42 e36 engine and installed the e30 inlet manifold and engine loom which is virtually plug and play.

I searched a bit for a e30 m42 loom, but without succes. I guess i will rewire the x20 tot the c101 as illustrated here for the m5x swaps (altough everything is new to me, my previous project was e e21 318i, 15years ago, and i am a vet, not a mechanic :p


here is a pic, from an e30 back from the (near) death;

In that case, cutting and splicing your current loom is doable.
As always, time and patience are the key. The M5x lads will no doubt assist and offer the best location of the ECU which on the e36 was positioned under the scuttle.

just a little follow-up

the car is running fine with its 'new' m42, but I'm already thinking about putting a m52b28 in. Nothing wrong with the m42, but maybe it is'nt a perfect match for the heavier convertible...

Right now the car is at the shop for its new paint job