M50 into 318i

[e36]

Hey guys,

I don't have a TI but a reagular I. My m42 engine is dying and only had a couple miles left of life in it.

I have a 1992 318i. A reputable shop in my area has an M50 sittingin their garage and offered an engine swap.

Has anyone done with m42->m50 swap? What issues should i be looking for?

I hear that it will bolt up to my tranny, diff, and shaft with no issues, justneed to upgrade exhaust and radiator.

Any info on this swap would be fantastic.

Thanks,

-mike

[E36LUVA]

I've opened a similar thread.

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12233

I also have a 92 318I and considering the same thing. Basically if you leave the M50 stock you could leave the rest of the drivetrain stock except for the clutch of course. The car would run really well off the line and around town but might be a bit high strung on the freeway due to the low gearing. Oh the front springs would have to be upgraded to M50 springs and drive shaft would either have to be shortened or just use the M50 drive shaft as the M50 sits further back in the chassis. Go for it man.

[e36]

what do you mean it will be "high strung" on the higway...

you mean it'll be weaker kind of cause of the gearing or it will be louder?

-mike

[E36LUVA]

I mean the car will accelerate really well and be really responsive but the engine will be revving just as high as M42 did at freeway speeds meaning pretty bad fuel economy and decreased engine life due the engine always having to rev so much. The car is geared for a 4 cylinder so the 6 cylinder would be reving the same as the 4 did cuz nothing else has changed in the driveline. If you do alot of stop and go driving it would be a non issue.

[Dredder]

if you have 3.73 or lower differetial then you will not really suffer from high revving.