M44 1.9 16v

[Motorhole]

Is this engine worth transplanting into an E30?? Basically wondering because they can be picked up for dirt. Is the transplant a straight swap?

[tim_s]

can they (be picked up for dirt!)? i think they're a pretty good engine, should fit into an e30 with a bit of work. they have ews so that will need dealing with, plus usual change of sump, eng mounts yadda yadda from an m42. could try to run it on m42 injection to save work, but that would be a bit of a shame as the m44 injection is way more advanced.

[Motorhole]

What exactly is EWS??

Should be able to find a decent engine from a breaker as the E36 318is was so common...maybe less than Ԛ£500?

[tim_s]

no, the m44 was only in late e36s, its still quite common but would have thought it would be quite difficult to find a decent engine with all ancilliaries etc for Ԛ£500. you might manage it though! when i was looking for a bottom end alone the best price i got was Ԛ£300 +vat for a good one. the EWS is the immobilisor system on post 95 cars - all m44s are obd2 afaik. this can be overcome, but you'll need the EWS module, key barrel and key afaik. it would make a good setup when all said and done, i quite like these engines, but i think it might be quite costly and for the money/similar insurance/fuel costs etc i'd prob go for a 323 m52. hth

[Motorhole]

Ah, so its probably not worth too much bother for the cost then...

You mention buying a bottom end...are the parts interchangable with the M42 at all?

[tim_s]

yup. if you search, there's a long post about m42 tuning which discusses this. if you have anything specific in mind feel free to pm me too, i'm just nearing the end of my 2.1 with tbs project so have accumulated quite a bit of info on these engines.
why exactly are you looking at this? just for power increase or to replace a tired engine? how much money do you want to spend, and what sort of gains do you want?

[Motorhole]

I'm a past 320i owner but recently sold up to buy a house! In a couple of months I will be looking for another E30, preferably a 318is or 325i (Hopeful with 318is values currently at rock bottom). Although a solid shell is priority as engines can always be dropped in later.

When i get an E30, it will be set-up for track use and occasional continental touring, 360 Challenge Stradale/911 GT3 stylee you know!

I will be doing most of the work myself. I am basically trying to get the best balanced car I can for as little investment. I don't mind sitting around waiting for parts to come appear at a good price etc as I have a daily driver already.

Either way I wiant to run a standalone ECU, Megasquirt or Emerald. I fancy running individual motorbike throttle bodies, but I am tied between building an M20 (2.7 or 2. or a lighter, high revving 4-pot.

[Matt_M44is]

Its a nice upgeade, hello of a lot of work to do though!!

I picked up a beauty of an m44 lump for Ԛ£400 from a 35k rear damaged car.

[Motorhole]

I picked up a beauty of an m44 lump for Ԛ£400 from a 35k rear damaged car.

Thats what I like to hear!!