93 318i with M43, swap for 42 or 44? - BMW Forum

saltycdawg · 04-09-2009, 10:39 PM

I just bought my first E36. It is a 93 318i with the M43 SOHC.

I want to switch to at least the 1.8 M42 DOHC but am thinking of going for the M44 but I have heard there are a lot more electonics to deal with. Any thoughts?

LOL, and I know how most of you feel about the 4 cylinder.. I should have gotten a 325. But I wanted to do a lot of the work myself and feel more comfortable around a 4 cylinder. Plus a 34 mile commute to work doesn't help.

So any comments?

witeshark · 04-09-2009, 10:47 PM

Actually, the 4 cylinder is very cool. It gets along well enough and makes you smile at every fuel stop

I'd say the first thing to research for a swap would be the engine mounts and all relevant bolt up points (tranny etc).

Numark318i · 04-09-2009, 10:54 PM

I want to say the M42 and M44 are the same engine with a new intake. M44 might be bored out to a 1.9 depending on year. M44 has a knock sensor where the M42 does not i believe.

weird that they made a SOHC when the M42 was DOHC for prior years. wth.

I would say the swap would be pretty straight forward. Check with local BMW shops, they might have more info on exact differences since this is not a regular swap

can i see a pic of the engine

saltycdawg · 04-09-2009, 11:27 PM

I can get a pic of the motor tomorrow. Thanks for the info on the difference between the 42 and 44. If it is primarily the intake then it won't matter since I am planning on replacing with a aftermarket cold air intake anyway... I have talked to a local BMW parts/mechanic and was told the swap is easy between the 43 and 42. Everything will bolt right up.

I did do some reading on the two engines.. (although it was wikipedia and you never know if this is 100% accurate) but it appears that the bore and stroke were enlarged by a few mm in both cases between the 1.8 and 1.9.

So with this in mind it seems go for the 42.

saltycdawg · 04-10-2009, 11:10 PM

I took a few internet sites as gospel and now i'm the idiot. I already have the M42.. some digging into my VIN and engine compartment has shown.. due to the sticker in the driver door being gone. Turns out the 318i was released in the states with the DOHC, but in europe with the SOHC.

On the plus side.. I already have the motor I want, now if only when I wake up tomorrow there will be an intake, catback and new ecu program i missed as well.