525i/a to a 5/S

[mylovelyE34]

Ive seen all the right ups and attack eagle's but i have one question.
How long would it take from start to finish? Iam thinkin a month while takin my time of course. Ive done the swap on a prelube which was straight forward i know this is gonna be more intense since its german. But well worth it.
Also any special tools? Maybe somebody has a tool list? I would hate to get in it and have to stop cause i need another tool? And by the way I would be doing it with hand tools. I wish i had air tools but oh well..

Tks for any help Guys n' Gals
Chris

[BoldUlysses]

Prelube? Lol.

You'll need star sockets for the bellhousing bolts. And a clutch alignment tool.

"more intense since it's german" :rofl:

It'll probably end up being easier than the Prelude since in the case of the BMW, you're dealing with a longitudinal engine. One of the big advantages of RWD.

-Matt

[sfgearhead]

Assuming you have all the parts assembled, it took me about 5 hours to swap the pedals, and 2 guys 8 hours (3 days, 6 hours a day) to do the driveline swap in the garage on jackstands.

So roughly 40 hours. You don't need air tools, we had air and rarely used it.

Attackeagle has a good list of tools needed, the only real specialty tools are the e-torx sockets for the trans to engine bolts, and you'll need 18mm wrenches for the driveline and allen wrenches for the axle bolts.

If you're going to replace seals, you might nee a few special tools as well.

It's not rocket science, just time consuming.

[ltflint]

Took me and two other guys 2 days. No air tools.

[attack eagle]

i could do it in 2 18 hour days if I was ruthless. and the car was clean underneath.

4-6 hours disassembly under the car.

pizza beer and cigar.

about 8-10 for reassembly and fitting everything.

pizza beer and cigar

3 hours for interior work and electrics.
about 2 hours on hydraulics.

driving for pizza beer and cigars.



Once i decided to finally put it all together, I had it done in under 12 hours. And that included fighting with the clutch line for 4 hours.

A LONG WEEKEND or even a week would be a better estimate if you have never done one. Read the bentley over and over until you feel like you have a good grasp on procedures. And then don't forget to do smart things like break all the driveline bolts free before you take the DS out or the axle stubs.
that kind of stuff becomes a huge time waster.

[johnnye23]

Took me and two other guys 2 days. No air tools.

On your back on jack stands too during a cold front ! You guys did a great job . I will count on your knowledge and guidance to try and better that time on my Touring 5 speed swap . Lets use a lift for the next one, oh and a heated shop too.

[camaroguy]

Just did a 6-speed swap. Took about 24 hours for dad and I to do all the 6 speed gear. Took about 5 hours for just me to do the pedals a month ago...3 long days?

[DUDMD]

Just did a 6-speed swap. Took about 24 hours for dad and I to do all the 6 speed gear. Took about 5 hours for just me to do the pedals a month ago...3 long days?
It's so worth it

[mylovelyE34]

Well i have all the tools then. Good to know guys. The torx sockets are they the internal or external if there internal all i have is deep wells. Should i get shallow ones?
The prelude i did was easy like changin spark plugs easy!!! LOL Iam thinkn this is gonna be well worth, extra well worth it.
I cant stand that slushbox. To slow, no control, and to many problems I cant wait to scrap it.. I could sell it but it belongs being melted down not to ever be in another e34. There a disease and should be dealt with one at a time....
Chris

[BoldUlysses]

The torx sockets are they the internal or external if there internal all i have is deep wells

This should do you:

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-26280-Master-Torx-Socket/dp/B0002NYBVO

-Matt

[mylovelyE34]

Cool tks matt.
I wish harbor freight had the 10 piece but they only have the 8 piece oh well....
I'll just get them off amazon...

[mylovelyE34]

Cool tks matt.
I wish harbor freight had the 10 piece but they only have the 8 piece oh well....
I'll just get them off amazon...

[eficker]

Took me about 3 days total. Long ones though. Hand tools only, on jackstands. Get the car high on the large jackstands, you'll be glad you did.

Long extensions on the trans bolts are your friends (i had like 7 all put together), the auto trans is loooonger than long cat.

Once the auto is out, you'll feel more than half done, and its fairly accurate.

I did mine without a clutch alignment tool, but i recommend it.

[oreoe34]

wow I cant wait to do this. I just spent a couple days REPLACING the AUTOFAIL on mine for another one :/ (no money for pedals and manual tranny). Tell us how it goes, Cuz i need some INSPIRATION!

[darrenforeal]

took LouieD and myself two days. We had a lift though.

[mylovelyE34]

Ok questions
1st/ when installing the clutch pedal. I just pulled one out from the J.Y. and i was able to just pull the clutch and brake pivot bolt out and get it out with out cutting the bolt for the brake to get the brake pedal out. Cant i just pull the one out in my car and use the one from the J.Y. with the spacers and bushings with the clutch pedal?
I checked real oem and the only difference is the pivot bolt length. Yea i would fight with the brake pedal spring but it seems better than grinding the bolt holding the brake piston to the pedal and having sparks and metal dust all inside my car!!!

2nd/ The tranny iam getting is a zf. Are they stronger than a getrag?

[M Quick]

The brake pedal is bigger on an auto, and that's the problem.

A ZF trans is always to be preffered even though a getrag will work as nice in a non boosted car. But yes, it's stronger.

[Hoolie]

If you're going to give it some stick you might want to get a reinforced clutch plate like the Sachs 681 or 724 while it's down along with a new bearing and the actual clutch

[mylovelyE34]

tks miche

The drive shaft in the donor car might be shot. Some DA that took the differential out cut the yoke off the shaft and the unbolted it and put it in the trunk. Since its a aluminum can it be fixed?

[M Quick]

What a lazy bastard.. you will need a drive shaft for that ZF trans so i'd say find a reputable drive shaft shop or something similar and see what they can do, some can work magic and make it new, i'm sure.
Because i got a feeling that sourcing a drive shaft for that ZF trans can be some work..

[mylovelyE34]

Yep i hate them people.. I'am sure i can get the shaft for free. Since its cut.

[NikosX]

Took 2 days to swap my E39. 12 hours total to be exact. Car was completely disassembled in 3 hours.

[EuroPartConnect]

Took 2 days to swap my E39. 12 hours total to be exact. Car was completely disassembled in 3 hours.

Quick question for you NikosX, in your sig what kind of vehicle is on the background? You can only wee the wheel but it looks like a gmc typhoon or something along those lines