E36 M3 97-99 newer valve cover onto 95 M3?

**Cobra Jet** · 08-22-2002, 09:23 AM

Does anyone know if a "newer", say, 97-99 E36 M3 valve cover will fit properly onto a 95 M3 engine?

I'm talking like direct fit, with no modifiactions, other than replacing proper gaskets, etc.????

I see on my 95 (and others) that the oil fill point is at the back of the engine, while on the engines after 95, the oil fill point is up front, closer to the fan.

I was thinking of changing mine to the newer style, only IF all it consists of is taking off the old one and installing the "new". Maybe it is more involved than it looks?

Any pros/cons to this thought?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

**Kevlar** · 08-22-2002, 09:28 AM

i don't think it'll fit simply because the oil fil locations are different.

**Cobra Jet** · 08-22-2002, 10:01 AM

but, what I was wondering is, if you pour oil through the opening, no matter if it is at the back or front, isn't the oil going into the same area in the head? Then drains to the lower portion of the engine?

If some of you hard core techy guys want to jump in, feel free - I'm really wondering if what I am thinking would work, or not due to some other technicality that is being overlooked....???

**BMWguy206** · 08-22-2002, 10:43 AM

Are you talking about the actually valve cover or the black cover that goes over the ignition coils?

**Cobra Jet** · 08-22-2002, 10:57 AM

Jon,

Thanks for the reply - yes, I am talking about the actual metal engine valve cover, not the decorative engine plastic covers.

I know the actual valve cover retains the oil fill hole, and in order to do such a swap, I would also need the corresponding decorative plastic engine cover to make it work.

My concern is, will the actual valve cover from the newer M3's fit properly onto a 95 M3 engine? Is it a direct fit, or will there be any interference from something else that I may be over looking? I know I'd need the proper gaskets and such too, that's no concern.

To me, looking at a 95 engine and a 96-99 engine, it appears that the swap would work, but I am not sure what lies beneath the covers on each engine or if there is some technical aspect that may hamper such a swap.

The oil does drain into the cam valley and then into the bottom of the engine on the 95-99 engines right? I mean, if the oil fill hole is in the rear, there is not some other hole in the head at that location, verses the oil fill hole being in the front...???

Sorry to make it sound confusing, but I think you know what I am thinking... LOL!

Thanks for any help.

**bmwpower** · 08-22-2002, 11:10 AM

I don't think it would work primarily because the 3.0 head is different than the 3.2 head.

Why not just drill another oil hole in the front of the cover?

**M3325** · 08-22-2002, 12:49 PM

Check the contours of the 2 engines and see if they are the same.
i remember vaguely that where the VANOS is, the shape is different.

**InvincibleDarkness** · 08-22-2002, 01:38 PM

So, how come you want to do this? Don't like filling from the rear of the engine?

**juanci** · 08-22-2002, 01:45 PM

The newer valve cover will fit o.k. Direct bolt on.

**madsedan** · 08-22-2002, 01:56 PM

I have thought about doing this also, maybe when I need to replace my valve cover gasket. Its easier changing the oil with it up front.

**wewu** · 08-22-2002, 06:41 PM

yes it is harder to fill the oil from the back. Also my funnel doesn't sit flat when I'm filling. But oh well, cuz I'm not about to spend a few hundred bucks so that filling my oil is easier to do.

**arkie6** · 08-22-2002, 07:11 PM

Why not fill the engine oil through the oil filter housing while you are changing the oil filter? That is what I did when I changed my oil. That also helps to fill up the oil filter so that when the engine starts, the filter is already partially full of oil and oil gets to the bearings quicker.

**bmwpower** · 08-22-2002, 08:29 PM

I think he also wants it to replace his valve cover because the paint on the front is coming off. I've seen this many times. Seems common.

**owen** · 08-22-2002, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by bmwpower
I don't think it would work primarily because the 3.0 head is different than the 3.2 head.

Why not just drill another oil hole in the front of the cover?

How are the two heads different? Does one flow better then the other?

**BMLRacer** · 08-22-2002, 08:34 PM

The head castings are identical.

**bmwpower** · 08-22-2002, 09:38 PM

So the castings are the same, but the displacement is different?

**bimmer95** · 08-22-2002, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by bmwpower
So the castings are the same, but the displacement is different?

Of course. The head has ZERO to do with the diplacement of the engine. Displacement is determined by bore, stroke and number of pistons.

Piston Diameter = PD
Stroke = S
Number of pistons = X
Displacement = ((PD/2)^2)*S*X

FYI, BMW uses the same heads on 2.5L, 2.8L, 3.0L and 3.2L motors.

**aceves** · 08-22-2002, 10:49 PM

No, it is not a direct bolt on, the PCV valve or crank vent valve ,or what ever it's called, that goes on the very front of the valve cover is different on your 95 engine.

**FiveEight** · 08-22-2002, 11:00 PM

This might be a dumb question but, when it says 2.5 or 2.8 liters is that how much volume is in one cylinder?

**InvincibleDarkness** · 08-23-2002, 12:27 AM

Originally posted by bimmer95

Of course. The head has ZERO to do with the diplacement of the engine. Displacement is determined by bore, stroke and number of pistons.

Piston Diameter = PD
Stroke = S
Number of pistons = X
Displacement = ((PD/2)^2)*S*X

FYI, BMW uses the same heads on 2.5L, 2.8L, 3.0L and 3.2L motors.

Hey, you forgot Pi!

Displacement = Pi*((PD/2)^2)*S*X

:

This might be a dumb question but, when it says 2.5 or 2.8 liters is that how much volume is in one cylinder?

That's the volume in all cylinders combined.

**bimmer95** · 08-23-2002, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by InvincibleDarkness
Hey, you forgot Pi!

Opps, yup

**Cobra Jet** · 08-23-2002, 10:23 AM

so, I am seeing (2) different responses - some are saying "yes it will fit directly", while some are saying "no it may not"...

Is there any way of telling for certain if this swap would work without any troubles?

To answer the question why I would want to do this, 1) ease of oil filling, 2) the black valve cover on the models after 95 is black and does not peel/flake, 3) because I want to do it (haha...)

**owen** · 08-23-2002, 02:52 PM

If the heads are the same then it must fit! And from the knowlegde my fellow beemer owners have taught me, the heads are 100% the same. Go buy the parts, you can do it!

**aceves** · 08-23-2002, 03:15 PM

Trust me, I'm in the middle of doing an OBD I Conversion and it will NOT fit. The coils won't fit and the afore mentioned valve won't fit w/o modification!

**EMC** · 08-23-2002, 03:30 PM

It was a pain in the butt to get the vent hoses to fit properly. I had to make a few of my own hose adapters.

It's not worth the hassle in my opinion.

I would remove your old one, and have it plated or powder coated. Then just put it back on with a new gasket. It will look great! ..not to mention the fact that $100 for powder coating is cheaper than a new valve cover and plastic beauty cover.

Take Care,
Eric

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E36 M3 97-99 newer valve cover onto 95 M3?

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