Herbmiester 923 Report post Posted December 6, 2016 So my Nephew has my old 318is auto and he owes me some money so I am thinking of calling in my debts. Bad news is it doesn't run but from what I can get from him the engine turns over so it's possibly a transmission problem. Anyway I would be keen on a manual conversion but have been mulling over the options. So I could just do a manual conversion/diff and maybe put a turbo on it. Do a m52 conversion new diff brakes etc. Or maybe get radical and fit a Nissan RB turbo, 2jzgte or even an LS1. The body is pretty straight and the interior is ok so what would you guys do if you had an e36 coupe lying around? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 923 Report post Posted December 6, 2016 Good news brakes are the same as 328i and sway bars are bigger up front than a 328i Msport and same out back. Bad new the diff is a small case with 4.44 ratio, so maybe just an M52 swap with m52 driveline and some stiffer springs up front. Not sure about the electrics though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted December 8, 2016 I'd just keep your e46 coupe, mate! #; ) Or if you're wedded to the e36 idea, you could buy John's S54 motor and trans now he's splitting that mad e30 touring to sell, add that into the e36.... along with beefy brakes and suspension. Or go electric? M10+turbo+nitrous? yep, now I'm just getting silly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted December 8, 2016 Part it out to get your money back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted December 9, 2016 more seriously though, you might consider making it a trackday fun car. strip it out, cage it, and use a power train selected on the basis of any likely racing classes/categories you might enter (eg The Surgery Sprint Series)... low-rent motorsport! as far as your pockets are deep. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellrot 325Ti 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2016 I have a complete manual conversion that would be perfect for it! Send me a message if you're interested Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 923 Report post Posted December 9, 2016 Thanks a manual conversion is a definite, just have to see if the m44 is still working, otherwise an m52 manual swap might be the go. m44 is not a grunt machine but I drove a manual 318is and it was still fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted December 10, 2016 I drove a '93 318iS - manual - in '93, took it north from Sydney over the Bulledelah Ranges (the old route when it was the main road), it was an absolute joy to drive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellrot 325Ti 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2016 I also have an two M42's in parts that I would let go for next to nothing if you needed parts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 923 Report post Posted December 10, 2016 Well that's a great offer as I had thought about an M42 as it's a very well built little engine and I could put it in and then be eligible for the 1.8l class in the 2k Cup. I have been thinking very seriously about your manual conversion as well. Perfect box for an M42. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellrot 325Ti 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2016 Feel free to contact me on here, @Richard Longley on FaceBook or [email protected]. We can further discuss a deal if you were keen! A Getrag 220 is fine behind most engines, I know of a couple guys running them behind S52 racecars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
