swapping E30M42/E36M42 Engine parts

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:55 pm

Hi i have just bought a 1990 E30 M42 318is with 8 bent exhaust valves and the timing chain idler cog ripped out of the engine casting
I have managed to buy a E36 M42 318is engine i know the whole inlet manifold side and the sump have to be changed over also the p/steering/alternator and crankshaft pulleys
I am wondering if there is anything else needs to be changed/adapted so if anyone has done this engine swap any advice would be much appreciated

Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:23 pm

e36 m42 and e30 m42 have different exhaust manifolds so that will need changing along with the cam cover as the oil breather is in a different place and the oil dip stick . the engine mounts i think are different too

Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:47 pm

Hi i am a bit confused as all the exhaust studs seem to line up ok with my original exhaust headers ?
But thanks for the reply

Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:19 pm

the right hand drive ones that i have seen have different exhaust manifolds i tryed to fit an e30 one to an e36 and it hit the steering colum so i had to mod the manifold as i didnt have an e36 one . an e36 one may fit an e30 but design of the pipe are different an e36 one may even give you more room around the steering joint

Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:33 pm

Hi what sort of mod did you make is it an easy bash it with a hammer or was welding involved
I have dropped the engine back in now (the complete exhaust has not been removed from car) it seems to line up ok but i have not pushed it onto studs yet and tightened it up but it does seem tight around steering though will try after weekend as missus wont let me into garage till monday

Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:56 pm

i had to cut and shorten the e30 on to fit in an e36 it was a fair bit if yours is in the engine bay and clears then all is well . you may have more luck than me as you are putting an e36 one in an e30

Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:44 am

Just fit the whole e36 engine instead! job done

Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:04 pm

monkey wrote:i had to cut and shorten the e30 on to fit in an e36 it was a fair bit if yours is in the engine bay and clears then all is well . you may have more luck than me as you are putting an e36 one in an e30

Hi no i am using the E30M42 one it wasnt removed when i took the old engine out it took a bit of wrangling had to loosen back end of exhaust but it bolted straight onto E36M42 head studs{ to my relief )they must differ year to year anyway she fired up first time so i am well chuffed
Thanks for your help