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Old 01-22-2008, 03:41 AM   #1
Swap_File
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Default Free 318ti with blown engine, Now what?

Well, I recently picked up a free 318ti with a blown engine. The previous owner ran it without oil, and pretty much killed it.









It is a 96 318ti with the Active package. Has a sunroof and AC, M44 engine, automatic transmission.

Now, I have been trying to find a totaled BMW to grab an engine, manual transmission, and rear differential from. I recently found a 1993 BMW 318i & 318is for about $1000 total:





Both were hit by deer, but still apparently run fine.

I know these are ODB1 and have the M42 engine, while my BMW is ODB2 and has the M44 engine. I am not too worried about the electrical, I can handle that myself, but I do not like fabrication.

Would everything bolt right up if I were to swap a M42 with a manual transmission into my 96 318ti? And what drive shaft would I use?
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Old 01-22-2008, 03:55 AM   #2
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Could be illegal to put an older motor in a newer car. Besides, the M44 would be way less work than retrofitting an M42. Keep looking for motors/cars, they aren't THAT expensive. I personally would just drop a 6 cyl in there since your gonna go through all the work anyway.
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Old 01-22-2008, 04:01 AM   #3
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My state has no emissions testing or inspections, so swapping to an older engine does not really matter.

I was tempted to put a I6 in, but have not come across any decent parts cars yet.

Cheapest I have found a M44 engine for locally has been $900, and it has 150,000 miles on it. And then I would still have an automatic transmission.
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Old 01-22-2008, 04:06 AM   #4
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Nice grab on the free car...if you have the money.....do the 6 cyl swap...but if you truly want the 4 cyl..you could do the swap....everything should line up as far as the mounts go, OBD 1 just has fewer emissions.

I have a 98 with the M44, and I blew a head gasket in Nov, I just bought a 325 parts car and going to start on the M50 swap.

On another note, where in MN are you? I'm down in Mankato
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Old 01-22-2008, 04:39 AM   #5
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It looks like a M50 is cheaper than I thought, it looks like a running drivable 92-95 325i can be had for $2,000, and a non drivable 325i is even cheaper.

You guys do have a good point, if I am going to the trouble of an OBD1 swap, plus swapping over pretty much the entire drivetrain (Engine, Transmission, and differential), I might as well find a manual 325i parts car and use that.

mphmotorwerks, is this the 325i you picked up?
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/pts/541710607.html
I guess I will need to keep an eye out for another deal like that.

I live on a farm near Hutchinson MN, about an hour and 20 minutes north of Mankato.
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Old 01-22-2008, 08:03 AM   #6
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I'm not sure if the diff from a 318 will fit, guess no one's posed that question.

You may look into salvage auctions in your area. A 2.8 Z3 would be a nice donor car. Otherwise a regular 5-speed 328 would ease the swap and is still pretty cheap.
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Old 01-22-2008, 12:21 PM   #7
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A diff from a 318 will not work. The only ones that will work from a e36 is one from a ti or z3 as 96cali posted.
You would be looking for an e30 diff. or older to fit in our cars.
Also i picked up an OBD1 M50 full swap for 500 bucks. So im sure you could find one around that price.
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Old 01-22-2008, 02:39 PM   #8
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Deffinetely get an M50-52 and swap it in!!

Really nice free car!!
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Old 01-22-2008, 02:40 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bloodrunsdry View Post
A diff from a 318 will not work. The only ones that will work from a e36 is one from a ti or z3 as 96cali posted.
You would be looking for an e30 diff. or older to fit in our cars.
Also i picked up an OBD1 M50 full swap for 500 bucks. So im sure you could find one around that price.

Diff will work just needs some adjusting I've seen it done check out phamster swap! in this forum
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Old 01-22-2008, 03:13 PM   #10
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good find if you atre going through the trouble of swapping a new motor in i would pay the little extra for the 6 cyl

it will be worth it in the long run.

and welcome to the site
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Old 01-22-2008, 06:51 PM   #11
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Welcome to the site and you are lucky to have a free 318ti! I agree with the other members about swapping into a 6 instead of the 4. Same work and time for just a little more $. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a E36 M3 S52 engine.
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Old 01-22-2008, 06:57 PM   #12
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if you can wait for the right motor then do it. but if you need the car on the road asap then get a motor and throw it in.
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Old 01-22-2008, 09:59 PM   #13
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Doc
thanks for the info on using the 318 dif in the ti.
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Old 01-22-2008, 10:49 PM   #14
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pm sent.
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Old 01-24-2008, 01:46 PM   #15
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Phamster used a ti differential, not a non-ti differential. The mounting points, acutal design, and bolt holes are in totally different places. A non-ti chassis diff will not fit in a ti.
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