e36 implant.

[baboon5151]

hi.can anybody help im thinking about swapping my e30 318is engine for a e36 318is,will it be a straight swop.i think the mountings are the same but not sure about electrics.cheers .ROB

[Brianmoooore]

No experience of either of these engines, ( I like a few more cylinders on my cars), but, from my M20 - M50 conversion experience, the engine wiring loom stays with the engine, and all connections to the E30 electrics are made by grafting a E30 C101 plug (the one on the bulkhead, just inboard of the fusebox) onto the E36 engine loom in place of the original.

[Zayyan]

Sorry if this offends, but what's the point?

E30 318is - 136bhp
E36 318is - 140bhp

I guess you've got good reason if the E30 engine is blown or something though!

[SwirlyE30]

Depending on how old the E36 lump is, if its the new style compared to the M42 lump that was put straight in ( cant rememeber the name) then its a lot easier to turbo i think. Not sure of other reasons tho lol...

[tim_s]

I think the e36 M42/M44 has knock sensors but the e30 doesn't, which is why its better suited to the DASC and turbocharging. You'll need to convert the wiring loom to fit the e30 plug as already mentioned, and you'll need the ecu etc, you may also have to fit the lambda probe, not sure the e30 has one (if you know, let me know!)??? The exhaust manifold and mb gearbox might need changing too, but I can't see any major problems doing this, though an early pre OBDII engine would probably be wise electrics-wise.
Whether its a good idea is a different matter, I believe the e30 and early e36s had forged crankshafts, rods etc. but the later M44 doesn't. I think the e30 inlet manifold flows better than an e36 one too, making the engine a bit more peaky. I think that you can overbore an e30 block using US S50 pistons or something like this. Would be interested to hear other peoples' views on all this.

[tim_s]

don't later e36s have MAFs too?

[Karan]

a guy on the old zone did it..... with the 1.9 lump.... i dont see the point really to be honest unless ure iS e30 lump is buggered which could give u an excuse to do it...... even then id keep it original with the right e30 lump in it