E36 318is head on an E30 engine?

[Gussy]

Hey guys,
A friend of mine has cracked the head on his E30 318is. He had found a head from a 1.9 E36 318is lump, he just wants to know if the two are compatable?
Thanks in advance.

[kam-325i]

What year is the e36?

some of the early E36 one's will fit, but need to know which engine is in the E36, M42 or M44

[Jhonno]

1.9 is m44 as far as i know

[tim_s]

1.9 head is the m44, is completely different to the m42, has rockers etc rather than directly acting cams so is pretty much a big no-no. btw, a bit cheeky, but i'm after some m44 pistons, or might take a block, has he found a cheap m44? and... I should soon have an m42 head for sale too.

[Gussy]

Thats great guys. Thank for the advice.

@Tim_S - The bottom end is knackered and a scored block in the M44 as far as i know, but im based in Ireland anyway so might be a bit away from ya to go for a block / pistons!!
Although, M42 spares in Ireland are like hens teeth, so looks like he'll have to give a trip across to England to source an M42 head.

[Dan318-is]

i dont think even the early e36 engines are compatible are they? i know they had modified inlet manifolds or sumink?

tim if you wana sell the head and are lookin at selling it cheapo i mite be interested as a long term project for my car!

[E30Mark]

I thought the M44 temp sender was a dual unit? surely you just need to wire the two separate wiring looms from the M42 into the M44 sender. Assuming you get hold of the M44 wiring plug.


Good luck with the hunt for a 318iS head! there is at least one engine on ebay at the moment.

[Simon13]

an E36 M42 head will fit, my old E30 318iS had one fitted. but they are still prone to warping and cracking so be warned!