Converting my car to a manuel

[MEIN RITT]

Getting my car converted into a manuel in 2 weeks. I have ALL the parts, and am just waiting for Brant who is a tech for BMW racing team (specializing in e36 M3's) to finsh up his current project. He is only charging me $500 for install. The only downer about the whole thing is that I have a 328is, and I am putting in a 325 tranny in. Which means that I will be really really quick off the line, but lose a lot in high end speed . But I plan on selling my tranny, and using the cash i get from that to buy a used M3 tranny. So the 325 is just a temp. If it's possible I will try to document some of it with my digital camera and post on here for you guys. I have searched and searched, and I haven't found anyone on this forum that has ever done this. Am I the first??

Patrick

 

[Pink_Floyd]

That would be awesome if you could document. I know I always wanted to do this, and so did a few other members. Also, is this guy doing this for you just because you know him or will he do this for anyone for the right price? I life in NJ and MD isn't that far away, if that's where you're getting it done

 

[BigEarl325is]

Actually, you won't notice any difference at all. You'll have a smaller clutch but other than that there's very little difference. Also, the 328's and the 96+ M3s have the same tranny (ZF S5D 320 Z) So don't think you're gettin anything better with an M3 tranny than you are a 328. Your clutch will be different though. But if you wanted to, you could put an M5 clutch on there. (not the new M5, the old one)

Just thought you might like the gear rations, here are the ones for your original trans

Trans: A4S 270R (THM-R1)
1st: 2.86
2nd: 1.62
2rd: 1.00
4th: 0.72
Reverse: 2.00

Now the trans you should have (328 manual)

Trans: ZF S5D 320 Z

1st: 4.20
2nd: 2.49
3rd: 1.66
4th: 1.24
5th: 1.00
Reverse: 3.89

And finally the trans you will have

Trans: Getrag S5D 250 G

1st: 4.23
2nd: 2.52
3rd: 1.66
4th: 1.22
5th: 1.00
Reverse: 4.04

As you can see, you'll notice no change at all unless you're drag racing in reverse. haha

Pink_Floyd man, you live like 20 miles from me. I live in Point Pleasant. I'm sure I've seen your car, post a pic.

 

[MEIN RITT]

bigearl

I know about all, that stuff. I am talking about the 6 speed tranny from the euro spec m3. I guess i forgot to mention that when I was typing. But unfourtanetly (sp) I will have the 325 tranny in there for a while, so i won't be geting that good of gas mileage in my high end speed, also, when I am going like 60mph the tachometer will be about 2g higher do to the differn't ratios. The guy will do it for anyone for the right price, it's just a little cheaper for me cuz I have a connection with him through the salvage yard I bought all the parts from. I will ask him if it is ok for me to give out his contact number, and if he says it's cool than I'll pass it on to you guys. I am sure he wouldn't mind the business.

 

[BigEarl325is]

ah hah!!! See I didn't realize you wanted the euro-spec. I know garbage when it comes to euro stuff, all I know is what we get here in the US. The left-overs basically. God I can't stand how they get all the cool stuff.

 

[manuel]

what? someone call me?

 

[BigEarl325is]

haha, don't make fun of the guys spelling

 

[Pink_Floyd]

Pink_Floyd man, you live like 20 miles from me. I live in Point Pleasant. I'm sure I've seen your car, post a pic.

I'm too self concious about my car to post the pics right now After this weekend I will be done my project of installing a computer in the car. After that I will clean, wash and wax it. Then I'll take some nice pictures. You can expect them by next weekend

 

[polygaryd]

hey guys i want to know where i can get 6 speed parts for my 98 M3 it is an auto right now and i want to convert it to a 6 speed i am gathering form this post it is possible?? and i need to know what kind of tranny and flywheel and stuff will work.. so i can just buy it and stick it in there and dirve away.

 

[MEIN RITT]

Yes and no. You can do the conversion, however it is not just "plug and play." There is a lot of work to be done. Right off the bat you will need the tranny, clutch assembly, pedal assembly, shifter assembly, drive shaft from the 6speed (which you can only get from germany along w/ the tranny), also will need to convert to LSD from the 6 speed. There is also a lot of electrical work to be done w/ the reverse lights if you plan on having them operational when it is manual. I am going through all of this right now. I have just about finished getting all the parts I need. The actual swap will be perfomed on my car in roughly 2 months, and it should take about 2 weeks. I will recomend not putting in a used clutch and or flywheel. Get things like that new or built for a lil extra performance. I was opting on the 6speed tranny swap, but for me it wasn't worth the $$, and the time tracking everything down. i know a guy who can get a hold of the euro 6speed tranny but it is very exspensive, and I have no idea if it even comes w/ all the other odds and ends you will need, and trust me that stuff isn't easy to come buy. Well good luck, and remeber if you decide to go through w/ the swap don't take any shortcuts, cuz you'll prob pay double in the long run if you do.

Patrick

 

[Chakueem]

wow, only $500. where did you order the parts from? I would love to convert my 323i to a 5 speed.

 

[MEIN RITT]

no no no..........I paid way over $500 for parts. The $500 was going to be the install price, but The guy upped it due to all the tech. work that needs to be done. I did get a hook up on parts and all tho. I paid $1,200 for all the parts, except for the clutch and flywheel, I haven't bought them yet, I will prob. get some performace stuff for them tho. Then I have to pay the guy who is installing it $1,700, which I don't mind cuz he is the best, and he doesn't mind me asking him every question in the book. I would refer all of you to him, but he is so busy w/ projects it isn't even funny. As soon as he finishes installing the euro M3 motor into an e30 M3 he is going to start mine. I have been waiting forever, so hopefully I won't get pushed back again. But I will keep all of you posted.

Patrick

 

[Chakueem]

ok, $500 sounded like way too cheap for that (silly me ) good luck with the transformation, though.