316 engine

[j_drift]

hello, i have an L plate touring, 316, the engine has a few problems, just wondering would a 316 from an e36 go in?

[bimanut]

It would be a lot easier to either fix the engine you have or buy another e30 1.6 or 1.8 than trying to fit an e36 engine

[Brianmoooore]

Early E36 316i saloons were fitted with M40 engines, and one of these would fit into an E30 OK, but would need manifolds, sump and oil pick up swapping over, so you'd need to invest in a few gaskets at the very least.
As said above, fitting a 1.6 M40 from an E30 would be a lot easier, or you could upgrade to the externally identical 1.8 M40, although you'd need the ECU and AFM as well.