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Octarine · 02-16-2014, 06:03 AM

Hi, newbie here. Sorry this isn't a 318ti but an ic instead hope I don't get too many pitchforks.

I've got a 97 (10/96 build date) 318ic. Has had some trans issues and I'm about to take here in to see if its just a flush or needs rebuilt.

I also just picked up a 97 328ic with a build date of 5/97. No title but I drove the car 15 miles home. It has a check engine light which I am going to look at tomorrow morning. PO said something about the diff but I didn't feel anything too weird on the drive home.

I picked up the car for the rust free doors, hood and fenders which are the same same Alpine Weiss III. That alone was worth the purchase price. I was thinking to sell the engine but if the CEL turns out to be minor AND the M44 needs a whole new trans, it might be worth it to swap.

From my reading here it looks like I need from the donor:

Engine natch,
trans
harness
cluster
EWS
ECU
front suspension
engine and trans members
radiator and hose
exhaust

Am I missing anything? Note the diff potential issue, can I keep my existing 318i diff?

If I switch all the ews/ecu over with the engine, do I still need to have the dealer realign anything?

I am NOT going to race this car, I did that when I was young and had fun, now I just cruise with the girlfriend on the weekends. Car lives in the garage in the winter.

Finally, anyone in Chicago reading who has done this, feel free to say hi! I'm on a ramen and PBR budget for this car.

02-16-2014, 06:03 AM	#1
Octarine Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 3 iTrader: (0) Photo Gallery	97 M44 to 97 M52 swap questions Hi, newbie here. Sorry this isn't a 318ti but an ic instead hope I don't get too many pitchforks. I've got a 97 (10/96 build date) 318ic. Has had some trans issues and I'm about to take here in to see if its just a flush or needs rebuilt. I also just picked up a 97 328ic with a build date of 5/97. No title but I drove the car 15 miles home. It has a check engine light which I am going to look at tomorrow morning. PO said something about the diff but I didn't feel anything too weird on the drive home. I picked up the car for the rust free doors, hood and fenders which are the same same Alpine Weiss III. That alone was worth the purchase price. I was thinking to sell the engine but if the CEL turns out to be minor AND the M44 needs a whole new trans, it might be worth it to swap. From my reading here it looks like I need from the donor: Engine natch, trans harness cluster EWS ECU front suspension engine and trans members radiator and hose exhaust Am I missing anything? Note the diff potential issue, can I keep my existing 318i diff? If I switch all the ews/ecu over with the engine, do I still need to have the dealer realign anything? I am NOT going to race this car, I did that when I was young and had fun, now I just cruise with the girlfriend on the weekends. Car lives in the garage in the winter. Finally, anyone in Chicago reading who has done this, feel free to say hi! I'm on a ramen and PBR budget for this car.