 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  | |  04-02-2008, 12:37 PM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |  project 'refresh' begins! (pix)
Ha! my engine 'refresh' project is (finally) of to a good start.. Just got myself 2 spare M44 motors for $450! one of them looks $hitty & I'm convinced that it has a warped head (even though the seller said it is not) - but the block has 82K (compared to 153K on my mill) on it & I think it should be nice & smooth inside. the other motor looks already rebuilt (or at least cleaned up) - as it is super nice shape, though I have not much history on it (shot in the dark) - except for the fact that it was a 'dealer swap' (?) Anyway - I'm gonna take them both apart & pick the best head to mate to the best block - and then the fun begins.  Metric mechanic components (pistons/rods/flywheel/M3 clutch/main bearings, etc..), of course as money allows. Lastly - the better block has a code sticker I curious about - so if anyone can figure it out, it would be great! see photo below... I'll let you know how it turns out     |  |  | | 04-02-2008, 02:03 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 |
sweet!!
keep us posted on this build!! __________________
-Josh
Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot
Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green
Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz
| | | | | 04-02-2008, 03:14 PM | #3 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
sweet marko! i'll be watching this as i want to do a performance build of a 4 myself. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 04-02-2008, 03:40 PM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 3,244 |
to me that tag looks like any old inventory tag from a dimantler/warehouse. Easy enough for anyone to buy a system like that. A dealer might do that but I don't think it means much to you.
sounds like fun! __________________
My Former Rides
1999 318ti Alpine White, Cali Roof, Dinan goodies
1996 318ti Hellrot California Edition
| | | | | 04-02-2008, 04:22 PM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |
I guess the tag or history does not matter much... providing at least one head & one block are healthy, I should be Ok. once I take them apart - I'm sending them to a local machine shop with a flow bench for inspection & machining (if need be) + a nice little polishing job (not porting) - just to get the air flow nice, smooth & even. theeeeen, when I've saved up about a gazilion dollars, I'll call MM and see which LTW internals I could get from them. Quote: Originally Posted by 96cali  to me that tag looks like any old inventory tag from a dimantler/warehouse. Easy enough for anyone to buy a system like that. A dealer might do that but I don't think it means much to you.
sounds like fun! | | | | | | 04-02-2008, 05:03 PM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 |
+1 I like this approach. The only question is, do I rebuild a 2nd motor, or the one in the car. Let me know how much the MM parts run you. Quote: Originally Posted by cali-ti sweet marko! i'll be watching this as i want to do a performance build of a 4 myself. | __________________ 
1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd
OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | | | 04-02-2008, 06:00 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 |
hmm... im gonna follow on this one. subscribed. I'm curious what is required to build a MM motor? __________________ 
-Theta Chi-
Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER
.... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit!
Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll ...
Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? | | | | | 04-02-2008, 06:18 PM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,525 |
To have them do it? About $9-10k...
You can buy some of the equipment that they use, but since they do a lot of machining to the motor there is really no way to reproduce exactly what they do. Unless you happen to know of another expert machine shop to do similar modifications. | | | | | 04-02-2008, 06:24 PM | #9 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Waco/Austin, TX Posts: 233 |
Nice deal, excited to see how this turns out __________________ 1997 318ti Schwarz II
FB | | | | | 04-02-2008, 07:25 PM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |
well, my head has lost threads on cyl # 2 so the the head replacement is a must right of the bat... as for the block, well, there is no way on earth I can do without a car (work and all) and so buying a project motor is the only way I could think of to be able to actually take my sweet time saving cash needed & gaining actual knowledge to be able to do this myself from scratch -without having to rent a car for the next 6 months. Bentley manual, here I come! LOL Ps. I have not had the balls to actually look at the price list for MM - but I know it is outragous... Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY +1
I like this approach. The only question is, do I rebuild a 2nd motor, or the one in the car. Let me know how much the MM parts run you. | | | | | | 04-02-2008, 07:32 PM | #11 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |
dude.. LOL there is no way my 'frankenstein' motor will be anything like the 10k mills from MM, when its all said and done - BUT I will get a few key LTW comps from them - pistons/rods come to mind first + flywheel + M3 clutch (MM claims 17hp gain from elimination of 'parasitic' weight of the stock flywheel) + (if I can save up in time) MM main bearings with additional groves/holes to prevent oil starvation + single timing chain conversion. I'm not even hoping for gobs of HP - I just want a reliable motor that I REV to HELL & back. not to mention, this will be my first attempt of a rebuild! - so dont hope for too much LOL it'll probably implode like a dying star after 10 miles. Quote: Originally Posted by Marv17 hmm... im gonna follow on this one. subscribed. I'm curious what is required to build a MM motor? | | | | | | 04-02-2008, 07:35 PM | #12 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |
I'm sure it'll be nothing like their motor... not even close for that matter. Just a few of their key bits.  Quote: Originally Posted by mohaughn To have them do it? About $9-10k...
You can buy some of the equipment that they use, but since they do a lot of machining to the motor there is really no way to reproduce exactly what they do. Unless you happen to know of another expert machine shop to do similar modifications. | | | | | | 04-02-2008, 07:47 PM | #13 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 |
best of luck withthe fun project and i know you know this but take your time! __________________
-Josh
Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot
Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green
Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz
| | | | | 04-20-2008, 03:48 AM | #14 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |
small update... tore apart the crapier of the 2 motors today (minus the valves - not sure how to compress the valve springs  ), & started to tear apart the better looking one. on the table is all that makes our cars go - hard to believe.. LOL | | | | | 04-20-2008, 03:54 AM | #15 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,625 |
P.S. does anyone know how to get the valves out without the risk of personal injury or purchase of special tools? | | | | | |
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