what 5 speed driveshaft do i need

[coopstang]

will any 5 speed driveshaft work on a 1990 525i auto to manual conversion. I am using an e36 m50 and 250 tranny.

[mtg729]

M50 manual drive shaft from a 91+ e34.

[coopstang]

Thanks

[zubbie]

will any 5 speed driveshaft work on a 1990 525i auto to manual conversion. I am using an e36 m50 and 250 tranny.

so you are doing more than a 5 speed conversion then.

M20 to M50 + 5 speed

You are going to want to change diff too then. Your auto M20 has a 4.10 and the M50 manual stock ratio is 3.23 (although 3.46 would be a nice upgrade)

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/zubbie_photo/diffratios2.jpg

[russiankid]

M50 manual drive shaft from a 91+ e34.
ZF's have a different driveshaft from the Getrags, so he would need a driveshaft from a 93'-95'.

[coopstang]

yeah I want to use my e36 diff but I don't think I can. Is there a way to take the guts out and swap them

[zubbie]

people have been know to do frankenshafts but only within the same "E" series. Start looking up part numbers on realoem to be sure. Tranny output flanges vary as to input flanges on the diff (between manual and auto, getrag and ZF)

[russiankid]

I remember seeing a picture of a ZF and Getrag together, and they are the same length. So I assume you can use the front half of the driveshaft from a ZF and the other half from a Getrag. However, you will need to get it balanced. Easier to just get the correct shaft.

[coopstang]

what is the difference in the m20 driveshaft with a getrag and the m50 one with a getrag