Gearing up for 6-Speed Swap(No pun intended)

[Husky]

Okay, so on the growing list of things that bother me about my car, the transmission is starting to come to the top. In fact, it IS the top. It's basically the list, in and of itself. So I've started, over the last couple of weeks, to start getting ready for the 6 speed swap. Where I'm at right now, is as soon as I have all the parts, it goes under the knife. So I figured I'd list what I have, list what I know I need, and hopefully you guys can tell me what I forgot.

What I have:
-Pedals
-Clutch Master Cylinder
-Clutch Slave Cylinder
-Clutch Hydraulic Lines
-Shifter
-Shift Surround/Boot
-Drive Shaft
-Flywheel
-Throwout Bearing
-DME

What I know I need:
-Transmission
-Clutch Disc
-Pressure Plate


So, how am I looking so far? Suggestions/comments? What am I forgetting?

And, on a related note, members who have done this swap, how did it go? Any tips/tricks/advice? How long did it take you?

[jel]

Differential?

[Skatingzooyork]

Differential?

I thought the diff could stay, using the right driveshaft? I'm not 100% sure, just going by what I've read on here...

[yaofeng]

You do not touch the DME. The differential could stay. I just don't know how it changes the feel shifting. The general consenses is to replace with a 3.16.

Replace the rear main seal, the 6 speed gear box front and rear seals also.

My suggestion is to get a package. I suspect it will take much longer to get every single parts individually.

I did it in a span almost a year amid my reasonably busy business travelling schedule and with an electrical fiasco during the final stage. I also replaced the engine. My experience is documented on the bimmer board. 15,000 miles later my daughter wrecked in a snow this March. I then bought a 530it shell this July. Completed moving the drive train over two weeks ago.

[russiankid]

Need a pilot bearing.

[Husky]

Okay, I'll add pilot bearing to the list.

All the parts are coming off of a 95 540/6 parts car, but some of them were damaged(ie, transmission, clutch parts), so I've got to source them elsewhere.

And really? You don't change DMEs?

[yaofeng]

If you have a 6 speed parts car, it is easy enough to verify if they use the same EWS-I, 404 DME. Oh and the 6 speed and auto use different starter immobilization relays. The SIR is located behind the driver side speaker near the pedal. I think I have brand new SIR's when I diagnosed my starting fiasco during the conversion you can have it cheap/

[moroza]

Clutch tank and lines. Unlike just about any other BMW, the M60 clutch setup doesn't share with the brakes.

Driver's kickpanel, either modify the one you have or get one with a clutch pedal slot.

NTN brand pilotbearing. Don't get a FAG, don't get a Nachi, because they will be too small and not fit properly. I learned this over the course of a 2-week fiasco.

Trans crossmember. You can reuse the automatic's trans mounts.

Then there's the issue of which clutch and flywheel to use. That depends on your pocketbook, motivation for a lighter-revving engine, and willingness to experiment.

[nmp411]

Epic Christmas break for us.... :)
I really hope I get that other 540/6, then we could have a good donor car for you, or we could both cruise in style!

[540man]

Also, a search on this will yield detailed lists of all parts required. No need to touch the DME. Swap is straightforward, make sure you plug the O2's back in the way they came out.

[yaofeng]

If you compile everyone's contribution on this thread you should have every single parts covered. You will have to move the reverse light switch plug on the parts car to the auto. The 6 speed gear box has a switch wired to a plug near the shifter. The auto doesn't have it.

Wire the electric plug under the auto gear shifter following the link below. The two wires out of the plug go to the reverse light switch on the 6 speed gear box.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/276021/