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Old 05-11-2022, 02:28 AM   #1
Biolite
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Default Biolite's Build

Hey all,

I’ve been on here for many years, enjoyed all the threads and advice from people, but never really had anything to show off myself. I’ve had this car for 20 years now and finally getting around to what I want to do with it. Some may think I’ve gone off the deep end with this, but oh well – I’ll get it sorted out.

I’ve always wanted slightly more power in this thing and have gone back and forth between a S52 swap and turbo. Several years ago I came across Gizmo’s thread on bfc where he used the M47d20 crank to build a stroker motor and then saw that these were popping up on m42club.com as well. So I kept my eye out and picked up a M47 crank for a good price a few years ago. I then started amassing other parts based off of builds that have been done to create my own.

This is the plan so far:
M44 block, bored to 86mm
M47 crank (88mm stroke)
S50B30 euro pistons cut down to gain the same TDC height as the M44 pistons
Honda GSR rods
M42 head
Expecting a static compression of 11:1

Back in September I decided to do a clutch change (original as far as I know) and got under the car and it was just a mess of grease and dirt on the transmission and engine. This combined with a cooling leak I had been struggling with for the past couple years, I decided it was time. Here are some shots on what has been going on so far.
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Old 05-11-2022, 04:07 AM   #2
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Very cool! I look forward to seeing your progress.

I certainly wouldn’t say that pulling the engine on a car you’ve owned for 20 years to do a rebuild is “going off the deep end” at all.
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Old 05-13-2022, 01:59 AM   #3
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Thanks, man. I’ll try to keep it updated for your enjoyment. Right now I have the crank out for some machine work to make everything fit, and then the bottom assembly being balanced. The pistons are also being cut down slightly. The block has been cleaned, bored, and honed. I also gave it a fresh coat of ceramic paint.

While waiting for parts and also trying to make decisions I’ve been going through and cleaning everything up. My original tunnel covered was sagging on the driveshaft, so it was removed and I cleaned the area up real well and installed some DEI Tunnel Mat/Shield.

I also picked up a refurbished M42 head from Autohead Performance and have been assembling that bit by bit.
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Old 05-13-2022, 02:02 AM   #4
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And the fresh head.

My near term plan is to get this running off the stock ECU and then later bring in a MegaSquirt with a custom tune for it.

My cooling system has needed to be rebuilt, so I am thinking of going with the Mishimoto 6 cylinder aluminum radiator and an expansion tank. I have heard it can be done with a couple extra hoses and mounts, but haven't actually seen anyone post an explanation of it. Looking at the differences on RealOEM, it seems completely feasible.
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'96 318ti Base - few mods installed...

Last edited by Biolite; 05-13-2022 at 02:06 AM. Reason: More enjoyable head picture
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Old 05-16-2022, 11:48 AM   #5
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To install the stock E36 radiator, you need to change one of the bottom plastic mounts. Hoses will probably have to be generic to get it to line up but mounting the core is easy.
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Old 05-20-2022, 12:05 AM   #6
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Right on, thanks for the info, J!m. I'll make sure to pick one up the next time I do a parts order.
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Old 05-20-2022, 03:08 AM   #7
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Order new top clips too. They always break…
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Old 10-26-2022, 12:31 AM   #8
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Update for anyone else still on the forum. Took a long while to get parts back from the machinist, but they finally got done. Bottom end was balanced to within 0.5g, crank nose turned down with a new keyway cut, and the pistons decked down (I think it was 0.047 inches) to fit the Honda B18C1/5 rods. Crank fit perfect and got everything in. I did have to swap out one of the intended pistons because of a damaged ring groove I didn't notice. Glad he decked all 6 pistons for me. The head got put on over the weekend and the cams and timing components installed. Those are just stock M42 cams, perhaps I'll change them later, but would like to get it running first. Also, I had this custom gauge pod FDM'd for the center console. This weekend I hope to wrap up the rest of the engine and start on wiring in the wideband. I have the AEM one in the gauge pod picture, but I decided to go with the Innovate LM-1 due to its ability to emulate a narrowband. In theory, I should be able to provide this signal to the ECU and have it tune slightly rich until I have time to get a megasquirt going. The only major hurdle I see is the M42 thermostat housing - I cannot find one anywhere. Going to try the salvage yard again this upcoming weekend to see if they have any new stock, but these have become difficult to find. Back up plan is to reverse engineer it and have it FDM'd from aluminum.
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Old 10-26-2022, 06:19 AM   #9
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Sick build man. Keep the updates coming. There's still a few of us on here!
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Old 10-26-2022, 05:44 PM   #10
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interested to see how this goes. I have a '97 sport model with 234,00 miles. The engine is getting pretty greasy and needs some resealing. I've always wanted a bit more power (like everyone) but really like the balance of the 4 cylinder and I've never been much of a turbo guy. Anyway, this should be interesting.
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Old 10-26-2022, 06:45 PM   #11
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You guys should be searching the Group N parts list for the 318is/4...
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Old 10-27-2022, 01:50 AM   #12
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What is this group N parts list? Is it available online?
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Old 10-27-2022, 04:12 AM   #13
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I have the M3 one (and the Group A list) but not the 318is/4 list.

Realoem has stuff, but not in one list… drill down:

Classic
E36
1928-1932 Motorsport (or something like that) and poke around.
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Old 12-18-2022, 03:10 AM   #14
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Couple updates, no new pictures, ‘cause it hasn’t been that interesting. So, I eventually found a thermostat from a salvage yard in GA that was willing to ship. That issue has been resolved. The engine is pretty much buttoned up minus the valve cover. I got a crank sensor bracket machined and am working to get that fit up. I just need to shim the sensor about 0.050” so it has a nice gap – I sort of erred on that side of the design. The wideband got wired in. I did this by using one of the splice combs in the power distribution box and ran a separate fused circuit. That power distribution box is a pain, you really have to wrestle with things in there. Also routed the sensor wires for the coolant and oil gauges and made some mounts for the gauge pod and got that all assembled and back in the car. After much debate I decided to go with the older E30 six cylinder coolant tank and fit it in somewhere. I’m working to see how that is going to fit under the hood. I am thinking it’ll nestle in the driver’s side in front of the shock tower, but I really need to remove the two air box brackets there to figure it out. A Mishimoto radiator came in about a month ago along with some of the other cooling system parts. I have an order from SendCutSend in for a mounting bracket for the fan which should arrive shortly. Probably still a couple months before the engine makes it back in the car and it’s unfortunately getting cold in the garage this season.
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Old 12-22-2022, 03:26 AM   #15
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Stunning work! Excited to see what your thoughts on it.
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