M44 to M42 Conversion

[Bluebimma]

So, i bought a parts car last year, february, just for the hatch and door. After letting it sit for about a month, i decided to pull the parts i needed for my C57 and planned to junk the rest of the car. Upon further inspection, there was barely any rust, most things were still intact, sport model, and the list goes on why to keep it. So, finally, its time to take the 325ti off the road for the C57 conversion and bring this parts car out. Unfortunately, it had a blown M44 installed, busted window, and a lot of dislocated wiring and parts so i dismantled my original Moreagrun Metallic Active ti to piece meal it back together.

The front clip has been completely rewired with the front clip wiring from my old clubsport. The engine has also been transplanted from the clubsport, M42b18 with a 5speed and the OE 3.45 open. All the wiring for the fuel pump and the fuel pump itself were missing, so that was replaced and rewired in.

Days go by and i finally get it to a feasible "starting point" to do my conversion to the M42.

Specs:
1998 318ti sport
M42B18 - Clubsport transplant
Getrag 5 speed
3.45 Open
1995 M42B18 Engine Harness
1993 DME (Non-EWS with correct software to run a 95 M42)
EWS complete Delete and requires rewire
FPR Removal
Airbox exchange

Steps:

1. Remove old blown M44B19 with DME
2. Install M42B18 with Engine Harness ONLY
3. Install M42B18 Exhaust system for proper O2 sensors
4. Remove M44B19 FPR from its location underneath the drivers floor.
5. Install new Gas line from FPR location to engine fuel rail.
6. Remove M44B19 Intake Filter box and MAF.
7. Install M42B18 Intake Filter box and AFM.
8. Install 1992-1994 DME for M42B18 without EWS.
9. Locate EWS Controlling unit behind glovebox.
10. Once located, unplug unit completely from chassis harness.
11. Locate the two largest wires in that harness, Black with yellow line, and Black with Lime green line.
12. Cut both from harness loom to the EWS unit, strip wiring, then connect the two lines to each other, this will enable the starter.

You should now be able to run the engine without any EWS interference. Will post pics later.

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/004-7.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/007-9.jpg
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http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/031.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/015.jpg

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/DSCN2784.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/DSCN2783.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/DSCN2781.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/002.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/003.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/007-1.jpg

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/016.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/020.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/021.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/024.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/027-1.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/028-1.jpg

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/029-1.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/002-2.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/004-2.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/014-3.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/019-1.jpg

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/005-4.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/007-5.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/003-4.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/004-4.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/004-5.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/006-6.jpg

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/009-4.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/006-5.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/007-7.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/004-6.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/005-7.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/018-2.jpg

[1996 328ti]

You can probably do these in your sleep by now.

[Bluebimma]

Actual swap time is 3 hours for me. Old out, new in and driving. Ill be throwing in the 2.5 when the C57 is done. Going to do my simple gasket change, SS headers, 2.5" straight, dual mufflers, single 3.5" tips. Not sure on the summer rims, but currently have sport 16s with winters. Just driving this with the m42 for the time being and to get it reinstated by ohio officials. "yup, its a 4 cyl, documents good, all done.

[Bluebimma]

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0411.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0447.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0457.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0459.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0460.jpg

[ChItalian1027]

Tony=Ti King of swaps!!

[BMW_Hatchback]

Tony=Ti King of swaps!!

I can imagine his throne is made of M50 manifolds with a M50 midpipe for a cane.:tongue:

[roadrash]

I can imagine his throne is made of M50 manifolds with a cam shaft for a scepter.:tongue:
Fixed. :biggrin:

[Bluebimma]

Small update...500 miles later, not too many issues, but i do need an alternator, my bearings are pretty shot from the sound of it.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0606.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv217/Tnichols/1996%20Sport%20Ti/1998%20Sport%20ti/IMG_0607.jpg

[kallbom]

Many thanks for the help and information how to "jump" the EWS. No one in Sweden could give me advise how to get my M42 to start after swap of the M44 with blown head gasket as my car is a 1996 318is and the engine is from an early 1993 318is/ti (do not knew as I bought the engine from a man how bought it from a scrap yard in Denmark some years ago).

The information was straight forward and after taken out the EWS unit and cut the black/lime and black/yellow cable and put them together the car started immediately!

Many thanks from Sweden / Lars K

Check out http://www.garaget.org/?car=246329
and http://www.garaget.org/Kallbom (all my BMW, sorry text is only in Swedish)

[Quick92rs]

Hate to bump such an old thread, but I searched and found this. I'm pretty sure we've spun a rod bearing in the M44 that's in our 1997 318i and I know of a local m42 from a '93. You said you're in ohio right? I'd kinda like to pick your brain a little bit on doing the swap.

[Bluebimma]

What do you need to know?

[Quick92rs]

What's the reason behind removing the fpr? Does the m42 have it on the rail instead of inline? I'm not really all too familiar with the e36 or BMW's in general, but I'm not new to doing things like this. The wiring is my biggest issue, since the car is odb2, but the motor isn't. Is everything plug and play as far as getting the gauges to work? What part of ohio are you in?

[Bluebimma]

Fpr is on the rail, engine and harness is pnp, car won't be ond2 anymore, it'll be obd1. Cluster works just as before, chances are you won't have asc/tcs if equipped because of the m42 being a bit different. You must make sure you get the engine/ intake/ afm, exhaust manifold with 02 sensor.

[Jean H.318TI]

I dont get why do all this when u could of just put the m42 in and put all the m44 accesories on and manifolds, thats what I did when u blew the m44, now running a boosted m42 with all the m44 stuff, they r the same thing, noneed to do all this work, just saying

[Bluebimma]

I read through other threads that said you couldn't interchange, as sensor tolerances and such were incorrect. I had a full '42 setup so installed it.

[Quick92rs]

I dont get why do all this when u could of just put the m42 in and put all the m44 accesories on and manifolds, thats what I did when u blew the m44, now running a boosted m42 with all the m44 stuff, they r the same thing, noneed to do all this work, just saying

So you're saying just use the long block from the m42, but use the accessory drive, intake, and exhaust manifolds from the m44 and it should be ok? Between you guys, what do you recommend?

[Jean H.318TI]

thats excactly what I did, just use the long block, just need to move the crack sensor to the front and install all the m44 accesories and manifols and valve cover thats all u need to do

[gkracer]

Thanks for the information I was wondering if you just used the stock e36 318 green labeled dme (0 261 200 990)?

Or does this have to be modified for the engine to work?

Thanks!

[ALPINEMTECH98]

Hm, i might be doing the same swap too.

Got a 98 318ti sports and got a m42 off a 95 318i with DME and wiring harness.
I already got the engine out of the 318ti 98 and wiring +dcm, so should everything just connect from there? Just wondering. Thanks

[Jean H.318TI]

Hm, i might be doing the same swap too.

Got a 98 318ti sports and got a m42 off a 95 318i with DME and wiring harness.
I already got the engine out of the 318ti 98 and wiring +dcm, so should everything just connect from there? Just wondering. Thanks

All you need its the m42 long block (head and block) and then just swap everything over from the m44 engine, all accessories, valve cover, manifolds etc no need to replace dme or wiring harness

[gkracer]

Thanks for the information I was wondering if you just used the stock e36 318 green labeled dme (0 261 200 990)?

Or does this have to be modified for the engine to work?

Thanks!

Just to update the thread. I was successful swapping an m42 for an m44. I used the 990 ecu and followed the directions of this thread. I did have to also cut the small green ews wire. Without cutting the wire the engine would crank but not fire.

[PelsonBMW]

Hello ! i'm new in forum :) , im wondering how do you make water sensors working ? there was two sensors in m42 and one in m44 , im having problems with them on my 99' ti because the electric fan works all the time and the DME throws an error 201- lambda regulation and my motor shakes like jelly :P . I've put new lambda sensor but the problem still occurs... Any ideas how to fix it ? the m44 had electric fan and the m42 had viscose. Ill be glad if anybody can contact me on PM , and sorry for my English , im from Poland :)

[Bobert1035]

Great thread! Relevant to me as I will be in a 96ti soon, and have a great M42 possibly available...