316i to 318 16v help please.

[sam316i]

Hi all, im seriously considering doing an engine swap to change my 1.6 8v to the 318 16v engine but need a bit more advise on what parts i need eg cluster,ews,ecu,exhaust?
I have been saving up for a while so a list of parts i need or problems i may encounter would be a real help.


Thanks in advance, Sam.

[Mallard]

Heya matey

Is yours obd 1 or 2

does it have ews? are you intersted in an engine with ór without ews?

which 16V ? M42 or 44?

[Chris S]

Also bare in mind it'll probably be cheaper to sell the 316 and buy a 318 as the prices don't seem to be much different. That and I'm sure you're aware what most UK insurers are like when it comes to modded cars....

[Philly]

what the insurance companies don't know, don't hurt them

I personally would not waste that kind of money for such a small upgrade.. the LITTLE extra power would probably lose its novelty in a day or 2, and then your only going to want more... the 318 is still rather slow... hell, my 328ti will do 0-60 in the high 5s and it still doesn't feel that quick... so spend the money on some pretty upgrades or get a 323ti

[tiFreak]

I agree with Philly, an engine swap is quite a bit of work, and doing it to get .2 or .3 extra liters is kind of a waste, I say swap in a 6-cylinder

[sam316i]

Thanks for all the input, im not sure if mine is a obd 1 or 2, how do i tell? i would like the same engine as the ti whatever kind that is? How do i tell if i have ews, is it the antenna around the key barrel? And im thinking of doing the swap as my engine is getting a little tired. The cost shouldnt be too much of a problem as i will be doing all the work my self.

Thanks again, Sam.

[tiFreak]

if it's a 95, it's OBDI, if it's a 96+ it's OBDII, I think, I'm not sure if it's different in Europe

[John Firestone]

I have driven cars with both the 1.6 liter M43 and the 1.8/1.9 liter M42/M44 engines -- you will appreciate the difference of the larger and better breathing engines.

The E36 went out of production before Europe got OBD-II. It shouldn't be a worry unless you import an M44 with trimmings from America.

[sam316i]

Hey all thanks for all the help i think i have now worked out by doing a little reserch that the engine i would need/like is the m44,obd1.
Now i need to work out exactly what is ews and if how the wiring is different to mine eg can i just get the engine loom to plug in to mine and what needs to be done with the ecu.

Thanks again in advance for any help, Sam.

[M4YTY]

Sorry to jack the thread but ive got my old M44 in my garage from when i did my 2.5 swap if ur interested. 23k miles with full dealer history from my 1998 318ti sport. Also got ECU, cluster, exhaust etc etc. PM me if ur interested. Im in newcastle by the way.

[sam316i]

Just in case anyone is wondering i ended up with an m50 under the hood installed by myself in a day and a half.

[tiFreak]

so we managed to change your mind? how are you liking all the extra power?

[sam316i]

Yea well i thought if im going to the trouble of swapping an engine i may as well do it properly. The extra power is good too, i have now upgraded to rear disc too as it was only a 316 before it used to have drum.

[tiFreak]

nice, post some pics

[sam316i]

Engine or car?
Ive just got a new laptop tonight so i havent any pics on it yet, so il just get a couple you wanna see.