Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 118

Thread: M42 to M50 swap

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is

    M42 to M50 swap

    Just got an m50 motor to swap into my 93 318is. The motor is missing a few pieces and needs cleaned off and cleaned out. This will be my slow but steady build thread to document it all.

    Ok so first off, here are some pictures of the motor




    wiring harness

    After some cleaning






    Then this is the car its going in



    Still needs an oil filter housing and an alternator but after that i hope to get it running

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Alright here are pics from the intake ports on the motor













    Alright, now does this look doable to clean out myself or should i take it to a machine shop?

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Alright so moving on. I have a parts list of what all i need to finish this swap. Lmk if i might be missing something or if anyone has some of these parts up for sale.

    Radiator hoses
    Overflow tank
    Headers/ full exhaust
    A bigger radiator mounting bracket (might just end up cutting it to fit)
    Sway bar
    Motor mounts
    Transmission mounts
    Auxiliary fan or a clutch fan if i can find one
    Throttle cable (if im getting picky)
    And maybe a MAF. I didnt see one but I want to make sure he didnt leave it hooked to the wiring harness or something.

    FYI, i have already gotten a radiator and driveshaft that work with the new motor and transmission.

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Here is a few more pics because who likes a boring build thread







    Cleaned some more on the motor today. Would have taken some pictures but my phone was almost dead. Bought a shop vac and started cleaning the intake ports. Looks better but still definitely needs some work

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Cleaned some more and took some pictures today





    Had a little helper today


    Here are some pictures if the intake now (they are kinda bad cause my camera wouldn't focus)









    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is




    More and more cleaning. Also painted the valve cover

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    So today i pulled the starter, driverside motor mount, and the dip stick. After that i sanded some on the block. It now looks like this.






    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Just finished sanding the block today and painted it. I only got one picture before i had to leave for work. Ill try to get a few more tomorrow if i have time.




    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    I have no idea if this even interests anyone anymore but here are some more pics because why not.









    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Tucson
    Posts
    314
    My Cars
    1994 BMW e36 conv.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bimmerlife93 View Post
    I have no idea if this even interests anyone anymore but here are some more pics because why not. Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk
    People are interested and are watching. Continue documenting your work. It is appreciated-

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Ok, good to know these pictures arnt just taking up space. Had some time today to get a little more work done. I put everything back on the block and put the starter back on.











    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    So I got some extra time this week and started working on the car. Took about two hours to get the front end off.













    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Vancouver, BC Ca
    Posts
    3,255
    My Cars
    1993 325is
    What driveshaft did you get? If you're planning to use a 6 cylinder driveshaft with the 4cyl diff, the driveshaft will be too short. You can try and get the right driveshaft or use an adapter. I happen to have an adapter that I'd sell you (yes, this is a self serving-ish post) if this is the road you choose.

    And you seem to have done a great job cleaning that beast up. Hope the valves in that cylinder with the rust in the ports still seal up OK. It'll probably be a bit rough at 1st, but might clean itself up.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    How much would you want for the adapter? I thought that if i had the 6 cylinder transmission that everything would line up with a 6 cylinder driveshaft to the 4 cylinder diff

    The driveshaft is from a 95 325i i think? Im not sure it has kinda just been hanging out in the garage for the past few months

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk
    Last edited by Bimmerlife93; 09-22-2016 at 11:33 PM.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Vancouver, BC Ca
    Posts
    3,255
    My Cars
    1993 325is
    The 6cyl M50 (92-95, non-M) trans and the 4cyl trans are the exact same trans and mount in the exact same place. The 6cyl diff comes forward "about" 2" (It's about 2" longer) more than the 4 cyl diff. I got the adapter about 2 years ago from ebay for $125. You can have it for $50 shipped if you're interested.

    Jacques


  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Quote Originally Posted by jakermac View Post
    The 6cyl M50 (92-95, non-M) trans and the 4cyl trans are the exact same trans and mount in the exact same place. The 6cyl diff comes forward "about" 2" (It's about 2" longer) more than the 4 cyl diff. I got the adapter about 2 years ago from ebay for $125. You can have it for $50 shipped if you're interested.

    Jacques

    Alright let me message you on payday and we can set something up

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Haven't had much extra time this week with work so I haven't gotten much done.



    Cleaned up some



    Also cleaned the steering rack



    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Pulled the exhaust off tonight and attemped to pull the driveshaft but ended up needed more tools









    The driveshaft adapter also arrived today. Thanks again





    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Last night I got off the driveshaft, the motor mount and transmission mount nuts, and most of the ac compressor bolts. I was trying to get it out but that will hopefully happen next week









    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    So I have been super busy with work and havent had much time to work on the car. I took an hour today and pulled the ac off the motor and the power steering off the motor. Then I finished getting the wiring harness unhooked from the car. I have some friends coming by later tonight and hopefully we will be able to pull it completely out







    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Six guys and a 2x6 later and we get the motor out. Definitely a ton of work and finagling but eventually it came out. Pretty stoked since this is the first time ive ever pulled a motor out of a car. Will definitely borrow a lift to get the new one in.

    My phone was too dead to take pictures but here is a couple my friend got









    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Clarksville,TN
    Posts
    337
    My Cars
    JuliustroliJD
    Can't say I've never done the manual lift out. It always sucks haha. Any plans on tucking the wires any?

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Ive been planning on pulling all the ac lines and then just cleaning up the engine bay in general. What do you mean by tucking wires? Probably wont get much more done for a week or two. The girlfriend is picking up a 4 door e36 tomorrow and I will have to spend some time making it look "acceptable"

    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    93 318is
    Went and took a couple more pictures. Does anyone want to buy a m42 for cheap?









    Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Clarksville,TN
    Posts
    337
    My Cars
    JuliustroliJD
    When I say tucking the wires, I mean making them longer and hiding them so when you look in the bay, you see less wires and more engine. A lot of guys run their wires inside the fender to hide them. It looks clean as hell but can be a pain in the ass while doing it.

Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. m42 to m50 swap
    By al3xBmW in forum Engine Conversions
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-08-2012, 04:46 PM
  2. m42 to m50 swap?
    By dburgoon6 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-15-2010, 03:51 PM
  3. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-25-2010, 09:07 PM
  4. M42 to M50 swap??
    By deedub325 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-02-2008, 08:35 PM
  5. M42 to M50 Swap
    By boostE36 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-04-2006, 09:50 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •