318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Engine Swaps

Notices

Engine Swaps Engine conversions.

.
» Recent Threads
M50+manual swap bastard...
03-01-2024 10:00 PM
Last post by Andy318
Yesterday 02:34 PM
3 Replies, 47,479 Views
Cali Top owners: How...
07-14-2014 04:29 PM
Last post by Trusted-1
03-15-2024 02:37 AM
2 Replies, 44,538 Views
FOR SALE: 82k mile 1995...
03-15-2024 01:24 AM
Last post by di318
03-15-2024 01:24 AM
0 Replies, 40,143 Views
BMW E36 Compact rear...
03-13-2024 12:56 PM
Last post by BMW Welsh rally
03-13-2024 12:56 PM
0 Replies, 50,977 Views
WTB: 318ti with...
04-20-2022 08:57 AM
Last post by di318
03-10-2024 08:08 PM
21 Replies, 247,929 Views
The 318ti OBD-II engine...
10-19-2006 06:48 PM
Last post by Cybersid13
03-09-2024 02:12 PM
209 Replies, 681,121 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-06-2016, 06:56 PM   #1
englishposse
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Port St Lucie, Florida
Posts: 49
iTrader: (1)
Default '95 318ti auto to 325ti auto tranny question

Happy New Year Everyone,

I have a question for anyone that has a ’95 318ti auto and has swapped their M42 for an M50 (in order to keep it OBD I to OBD I), without performing a tranny swap to manual. Were you able to keep the GM 4L30-E transmission? I know it was used in E36’s until 1999, and can handle approx. 258 ft. lbs. of torque so it should be able to handle the additional power of the 6 cylinder non M engines.

I originally wanted to do an S50 swap with a manual conversion which would mean a bunch of other changes, but now after having to shell out for some major repairs, (tranny and engine) on my 330xi; I need a cheaper alternative to get the ‘95ti back on the road as a backup daily driver. I might do the tranny swap at a later date, when the finances get a bit better, 2015 was a taxing year between the house and 330xi.
I know Jim’s swap manual would probably cover this, but he’s not selling them at the moment because he’s busy. If I had originally thought about doing this as a stop gap, I would have asked his opinion when I emailed him about the manual.
Thanks,
__________________
....Courtney
BMW CCA #114771
1995 318ti
2006 330xi
2017 VW GTI MK7
englishposse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2016, 03:00 PM   #2
englishposse
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Port St Lucie, Florida
Posts: 49
iTrader: (1)
Default

After going through some old threads again, my question has been answered as the 4-speed auto is standard for all non-m E36s equipped with an automatic transmission. So it should be plug and play to replace the M42 with an M50 as long as I am able to source an engine with all the required accessories.

I will be doing a bit more research and would appreciate any pointers that anyone who has done the automatic M42 to M50 engine swap can give me. I'm trying to get as much info as possible, as I will not be performing the work myself and want to try and source everything needed up front.

I also wanted to know if anyone in the vicinity of Port St Lucie, FL knows of a shop that has performed any 6 cylinder swaps recently for a reasonable price.

Thanks,
__________________
....Courtney
BMW CCA #114771
1995 318ti
2006 330xi
2017 VW GTI MK7

Last edited by englishposse; 01-07-2016 at 03:02 PM. Reason: Grammar
englishposse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2016, 07:57 PM   #3
Hakentt-MS41.1
Member
 
Hakentt-MS41.1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 60
iTrader: (0)
Default

yes it all fits, you will need a driveshaft and possibly different flange
Hakentt-MS41.1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2016, 10:39 PM   #4
englishposse
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Port St Lucie, Florida
Posts: 49
iTrader: (1)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hakentt-MS41.1 View Post
yes it all fits, you will need a driveshaft and possibly different flange
Thanks for the response Hakentt,

Which drive shaft would be the best fit? I know that the auto 'ti driveshaft is 1306mm and the 325i drive shaft is shorter at 1275mm. I thought that because I would be using the 'ti transmission that I would be able to use the 'ti drive shaft.
__________________
....Courtney
BMW CCA #114771
1995 318ti
2006 330xi
2017 VW GTI MK7
englishposse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2016, 01:03 AM   #5
Hakentt-MS41.1
Member
 
Hakentt-MS41.1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 60
iTrader: (0)
Default

You won't be able to use TI driveshaft
Hakentt-MS41.1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2016, 04:33 AM   #6
Trusted-1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 179
iTrader: (1)
Default

Not an answer exactly but the 6 cylinder engine/trans sits about 1"-1.5" back further in the chassis.

If you have seen the transmission support bracket with two sets of holes, this is why there are two sets of holes.

So if everything else is the same, the shift linkage and driveshaft are "shorter" on the 6 cylinder setups.

The 318ti driveshaft might seem like it will fit but you will wonder why the cooling fan keep breaking blades on the fan shroud...

Basically the driveshaft you need will be that much shorter than the one that came out...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name:	IMG_8876 copy.jpg Views:	444 Size:	30.7 KB ID:	16257   Click image for larger version Name:	IMG_8877 copy.JPG Views:	470 Size:	199.3 KB ID:	16258  
__________________

98 318ti MSport M52, 88 M3, 97 M3/4

Last edited by Trusted-1; 03-10-2016 at 04:41 AM.
Trusted-1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2019, 05:17 PM   #7
Japegeneral
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6
iTrader: (0)
Default

Did everything work out? Not much info out there on swapping this tranny into TI
I'm sure its doable but is it difficult? Do you only need the drive shaft?
Japegeneral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2019, 09:03 PM   #8
Trusted-1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 179
iTrader: (1)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Japegeneral View Post
Did everything work out? Not much info out there on swapping this tranny into TI
I'm sure its doable but is it difficult? Do you only need the drive shaft?
It has been a while but if I recall correctly, for the 6 cylinder swap, the front drive shaft section is all I needed. May just be some weird issue with this car but the entire drivetrain seems to be about 1/4" forward compared to my other E36.

This is just enough that the fan blades catch on the shroud (when braking hard or?) and jack up the shroud, fan and/or radiator.

It has happened twice and now, so just left the fan off but it gets hot in traffic so at some point I need to figure out what the issue is or add a thin electric fan kit in place of the belt driven fan.
__________________

98 318ti MSport M52, 88 M3, 97 M3/4
Trusted-1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2019, 12:45 PM   #9
EtherD5
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 45
iTrader: (0)
Default

I did this with my 96 318TI about three months ago. I used the original driveshaft from the 318 and swapped in an M52B28 from a 528i 97 model with the trans still attached. Major thing I learned was do not plug in or unplug the transmission computer with battery power to the car. Fried my first transmission computer and took about a month to figure it out. Otherwise, this is completely plug-and-play. No cutting anything except the exhaust. Also makes for the very best burn-out machine I have ever experienced. ��
EtherD5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sold the wrong oil pan HELP! fast2002 Maintenance 4 01-27-2012 04:16 AM
1996 BMW 318ti Tranny Issue Ironfist1971 Transmission 4 01-05-2012 05:34 AM
318Ti M42 auto with 150,000mi for sale gneus US and North America 4 10-11-2009 11:52 PM
Exact 318ti model question. socal318ti Misc 1 10-01-2004 04:42 AM
Auto Tranny Fluid Mark VIII Maintenance 12 08-04-2004 02:45 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:26 AM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 94.39 k/111.83 k (15.60%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.