540i/6 vs 530i/5 transmission

[Tulok]

Can you swap a 6 speed and 5 speed back and forth between a 540i/6 and a 530i/5?

[DUDMD]

Can you swap a 6 speed and 5 speed back and forth between a 540i/6 and a 530i/5?

No, different output flange for sure. 540i guibo is much larger. I'm sure the 6 speed is slightly longer too

[Tulok]

so it would be a matter of swapping drivelines basically... I am looking into a performance clutch and flywheel and the 6 Speed doesn't have a lot of options....

[MazDuh]

the clutch splines are different, the flywheel is different, the 6S6 420G (6spd) is 6-7" longer than the ZF in the 530i. You can't just swap driveshafts either because the flange on the diff is different, 530i uses a medium case and the 540i uses a large case.
-Eric

[Layne]

There are plenty of performance flywheels and clutches for the 6 speed. Just search for an e39 540i. Anything that works on an M62 will work on an M60 (but not vice versa).

The 5 speed is 100% different from the flywheel to the rear hubs. There's nothing you can use from that.

[cabezzzdb8]

What is the transmission code on a 5 speed manual 530i, also can I fit this 5 speed to a 540i?

[K Fox]

What is the transmission code on a 5 speed manual 530i, also can I fit this 5 speed to a 540i?

See below.


There are plenty of performance flywheels and clutches for the 6 speed. Just search for an e39 540i. Anything that works on an M62 will work on an M60 (but not vice versa).

The 5 speed is 100% different from the flywheel to the rear hubs. There's nothing you can use from that.

^^ This. Find a 6 speed form an E39 540 or M5 - they're the same as the one from the E34 540i6.

Fox

[AHenry014]

if youre feeling crafty, you can frankenstein a driveshaft, to use whatever you want. i have 6spd trans and medium case LSD. works great. 150 bucks to have the shaft modified to make the conversion.

[me78569]

I can't see how there are more clutch and flywheel options for the 530 than there are for the 540. Even if their were you are talking about a clutch spec'd for 70 less horsepower.

As stated look for stuff with the e39 also.

[AHenry014]

I can't see how there are more clutch and flywheel options for the 530 than there are for the 540. Even if their were you are talking about a clutch spec'd for 70 less horsepower.

As stated look for stuff with the e39 also.

its not that they make 530i/5 kits, its that there are i6 parts that are a direct bolt on. and i6 parts have cheap and more plentiful options

[me78569]

i6 flywheel bolts to the v8 crank?

[Layne]

i6 flywheel bolts to the v8 crank?

No. Not even the same number of bolts.
I think he means the I6 clutch bolts to the 530i flywheel? (not positive)

[AHenry014]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1660904&highlight=clutch
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1650212