I bought a hodgepodge of two 1998 vehicles last fall for $800. One appears to be a rusted beyond saving automatic s52b32 m3 sedan and one appears to be a manual m52b28 328is coupe. The PO, (a high school kid) had stared to swap over every "M" component he could from the M3 over into the 328is. He started with the steering wheel but quickly moved to the engine and body/molding. He had not yet done the interior and mirrors.
I believe to have the S5D 320Z-TCHC - 23007503993 (from realoem and what I can see on the gearbox) manual gearbox in the 328is (manufactured in 5/1998) that was mated to the S52b32 motor per the PO. I have since swapped back to the M52 motor and stock 328is body fittings in an attempt to return the 328is back to stock. I've read about 6-speed swaps/upgrades for the E36 but have not found any solid how-to articles. Given the parts I have I'd ideally like to end up with a 6-speed S52 under the hood of the 328is. I'm still not 100% if that would fly with SpecE36 racing but I'll cross that bridge once I figure out if a 6-speed is realistic.
How is it done? Is it a Euro transmission or an E46 transmission that's mated to the (M52 or S52)? Do I need a special driveshaft or clutch/flywheel combo? Is this a 1:1 direct swap or more complicated, with fitment issues and computer/electrical system woes? The clutch, PP, TOB and Flywheel are pretty well shot on the vehicle right now. I would be starting from scratch. The S52b32 is halfway broken down and will soon be rebuilt. I'd like to mate a 6-speed gearbox to the S52 and would essentially be starting from scratch.
Thank you for feedback.
I'm running the E46 M 6 speed Getrag with an S52 here on my 95, here's what I can tell you.
You need:
either a custom made driveshaft or an e36 m3 auto drive shaft
Euro shift linkage
S54 clutch/flywheel kit and throw out bearing, use the e36 clutch release fork
Euro cross member mount
Only downsides that I can think of is, it weights about double compared to the 5 speed, and expensive.
Overall, I'm super happy with my 6 speed, I cannot ever imagine ever going back to a 5 speed now because I feel totally spoiled by having a 6th gear to shift into. I'm running it with a 3.23 LSD and turning around 2500 rpm at 70, the motor feels much more relaxed and greatly improved my highway mileage, easily 33+ MPG at 70, 28-29ish mpg in 5th gear.
Edit: forgot to mention, I've found that it's no longer possible to run a short shift lever as the drive shafts bolts graze the bottom of the linkage, currently I'm using a stock shift lever but will be trying the 5 speed ZF lever soon as it might be the right fit, reduced throw while having clearance from the drive shaft bolts.
Last edited by z25is; 04-02-2014 at 12:40 AM.
95 Hellrot/Modena 332is, 287k chassis 143k S52, 6 speed 420g, DS2's, 3.23 LSD, 97+ facelift, 96+ climate control conversion.
98 Alpine white/Black and Tan, 328i Sedan 226k chassis 163k M52, Auto to 5 speed ZF manual swapped, E46 sport seats, 2.93 open diff, style 30 wheels, OEM M3 catback, nothing special here
There are a few different 6 speeds that can be swapped into the E36 with varying levels of difficulty. The easiest swap is to get the Euro E36 6 speed part: trans, shifter, crossmember and driveshaft from overseas. There's an advantage here if you already have a good clutch you can reuse.
otherwise the next easiest is to use the E46 M3 6.soeed. Lots of info on that swap here:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/98m3/up...6spd/index.htm
and finally there is the 6 speed from the E46 330 / Z4 / 530. This is not fully bolt on. There is a group of us trying to figure out all the details, or you can buy a swap kit from Zionsville.
if you can afford it and you can find one the E46 M3 swap is probably the best option.
Jeff | '94 BMW Alpina B3 | '06 BMW 325XI Wagon
Why do you say the e46 m3 swap is the best option? Aside from the work involved and availability of parts I have yet to find information about which is the best choice in terms of weight/performance/reliability. Anyone have information regarding this?
I have seen lots of reports of 2nd gear synchros failing in both the e46 zhp and e46 m3 transmissions. Is the euro tranny a getrag or ZF? Are there any common issues with it?
The Euro version of the 6 speed 420G has the same transmission input shaft splines that the ZF's do from the e36 M3's, thus allowing you to use the standard S50/52 clutch setup.
As for 2nd gear syncro issues, I can personally say this is true, my 2nd gear doesn't like being shifted into too quickly otherwise it does cough, but if I shift into it slower/softly it does ok, downshifting into it can be a little difficult at times. I'll bet this is because past owners just smash right into it forcefully out of 1st gear, many people probably do this. It has been annoying but I've just learned to live with it, I have no real hurry to smash into 2nd gear so I just handle that gear with a little extra care, including double clutching.
Last edited by z25is; 04-02-2014 at 03:17 AM.
95 Hellrot/Modena 332is, 287k chassis 143k S52, 6 speed 420g, DS2's, 3.23 LSD, 97+ facelift, 96+ climate control conversion.
98 Alpine white/Black and Tan, 328i Sedan 226k chassis 163k M52, Auto to 5 speed ZF manual swapped, E46 sport seats, 2.93 open diff, style 30 wheels, OEM M3 catback, nothing special here
This is very interesting information about the s52 clutch. Maybe I simply forgot that was the case but that seems to be a huge benefit of going with the euro transmission over the US choices. Especially since I have an expensive stage 2 clutch I'd rather not remove.
Do you know of anyone that has imported the transmission and other parts from overseas and what the costs typically are? If a euro transmission could be sourced are there any more readily available parts(shifter, crossmember, driveshaft) that can be used in place of the European components?
It's easier to get the E46 M3 u.s getrag like I did. Although it was costly but well worth it.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ject-Completed
Ouch that was expensive but looks well worth it. I'm hoping to do mine for much cheaper. I will be doing 100% of the labor so it is just a matter of sourcing good deals on parts(trans especially). If possible I would love to retain my current clutch and flywheel setup which means finding a euro transmission. I haven't seen one for sale recently(haven't looked either) but I wonder what the average cost is. If I could get a relatively low mileage euro trans for $2000 or less I feel that this could be done for a very reasonable cost and fairly easily. Last I knew they were selling for between $1400-1800 and about $300 to ship across the pond.
Well I guess "best" is relative. The Euro E36 M3 and E46 M3 transmissions are quite similar aside from the clutch difference I noted. Since you've got a good E36 M3 clutch, the Euro setup is probably best for you if you can source one without breaking the bank. But going forward it's only going to get harder to find those in North America.
Jeff | '94 BMW Alpina B3 | '06 BMW 325XI Wagon
Is it better to have them rebuilt over there or over here and if so by whom? I'm interested in getting my hands on an e36 euro 6-speed and having it rebuilt before it goes in.
EDIT: Also, where would I best go to search for one? On here or eBay?
Last edited by 1215; 04-02-2014 at 06:33 PM.
Yep, I guess I got lucky. The only thing you can do is reduce the gear wear by using quality transmission oil. I went with redline d4 ATF during install and 6 months later, still shifts and feels new
As for the linkage, I went with the UUC DSSR euro 6 speed and top speed pro 1 euro 6 speed ssk and that combo is a direct fit.
Last edited by Pik Masta; 04-02-2014 at 11:54 PM.
I see a 6 speed tranny from a US e39 for sale for a decent price. What are the issues with swapping this into my M3? I thought it would be plug and play.
Bleed your cooling system http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1709482The ULTIMATE OEM Alarm/Keyless thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1792200
So is it safe to say if you want a 6 speed its going to be at least $2000
Bleed your cooling system http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1709482The ULTIMATE OEM Alarm/Keyless thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1792200
Bleed your cooling system http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1709482The ULTIMATE OEM Alarm/Keyless thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1792200
Which gearbox are you all speaking of? Is there a code or nickname for the E36 M3's 6-speed gearbox?
Is it getrag or zf?
Going from a auto to 6 speed is costly, but from a 5 speed zf you can re use alot of the oem parts.
s6s 420g Getrag 6 speed. Only the (euro) e36 m3 and E46 M3 (US) (euro?) are a direct fit. There is a ZF 6 speed off the E46 330i that can be swapped as well, but it requires custom work and there's very little documentation on it.
Last edited by Pik Masta; 04-03-2014 at 11:50 AM.
Last edited by MParallel; 04-03-2014 at 11:55 AM.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Personally I can't find an E46 M3 trans up here for less than $2k or so. If you can find one for $1k definitely jump on it
Like Pik Masta said, the rest of the cost will really depend on what you're starting with. If you're starting with a manual car, you'll still need to source the correct driveshaft (or get one made) and some other odds and ends (see the UUC page). With the E46 M3 trans you'll need to change your clutch setup a bit.
If you're starting with an Automatic M3 the rumor is that you've already got a driveshaft that's "close enough" to work, but obviously need everything else.
I chose to attempt the ZF swap for two reasons:
1) the ZF has a slightly better "longevity" reputation, with less concern over the syncro wear. This could be BS or just owner driving style differences though
2) the ZF trans itself is generally much cheaper from breakers because it doesn't carry the "M3" tax. I got mine for $500 with a clutch and flywheel because it was a "530" transmission and they didn't know what to do with it. Plus it was used on a wide variety of cars (E46, E85, E60 and even the E90). So "spares" should be readily available and cheaper for a while.
It really only requires customization if you're not willing to pay for the Zionsville kit. Even without the Zionsville kit the only custom part required (I THINK ) is an adapter bracket from the trans to the crossmember. I'm hoping to figure it all out and report back, but progress has been slow for a variety of reasons.
Jeff | '94 BMW Alpina B3 | '06 BMW 325XI Wagon
Is there any consensus about what power levels these various transmissions can handle? Earlier in this thread z25is stated that the E46 M transmission can't use a short shift kit due to the driveshaft bolts. Any other info on that? Can the others support this?
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