Today is the day.........

[BAADDOG]

Last night I dropped off my M3 at Knauz BMW and picked up a new E46 328 loaner.

Skip, Master Technician, will perform the The 6-speed tranny and ACS shifter and linkage conversion. I think that will go OK.

Also an inspection II.

I'm anxious about the road test with the ACS 6-speed shifter being smooth and easy to shift and engage all the gears.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[Kevlar]

Good luck... you get all the toys :D

[m /// magic]

Chris,

How long are they estimating to complete this job.
Don't spare any details. Did you look at or price the Bekkers 6 speed tranny? Just curious about the quality, price etc.


Thanks,
Michael S...

[NuG]

Tell us if it is really worth the $$$. Good luck Chris.

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by m /// magic
Chris,

How long are they estimating to complete this job.
Don't spare any details. Did you look at or price the Bekkers 6 speed tranny? Just curious about the quality, price etc.


Thanks,
Michael S...

I checked everywhere.

I got a huge discount on all New (the 6-speed trannys are all new, unlike the 5-speed trannys that are a rebuild) BMW parts along with the parts warranty.

The swap is a straight forward bolt up and fit, not too much time is involved. It is the same shop value as the 5-speed trannys. I'll let you know later on the shop time.

There are also several other mods that are being done.

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by Chris, Windy City Chapter
Last night I dropped off my M3 at Knauz BMW and picked up a new E46 328 loaner.

Skip, Master Technician, will perform the The 6-speed tranny and ACS shifter and linkage conversion. I think that will go OK.

Also an inspection II.

I'm anxious about the road test with the ACS 6-speed shifter being smooth and easy to shift and engage all the gears.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

First status update:

There is an incompatibility with the current diff flange's 4 bolts. We need a 6 bolt flange. The 3.38 diff is a hold over from the auto tranny conversion. We wanted to try out the 3.38 diff for a while before changing out to a BMP 3.46 diff with 40% LSD.

I said to go ahead and order the 3.46 diff from BMP and let's get that mod out of the way.

Now we have a delay of about one week to ship the new diff by UPS ground. Which, is OK by me, I was not too excited about shipping a 90 lb diff by FEDX over night for $400.00.

That's all for now guys.

[V Shah]

Originally posted by Chris, Windy City Chapter

There are also several other mods that are being done.

Don't hold out on us Chris...what else is being done??

[ELIBEEMER]

Get down Chris...

Take your time, and do the whole thing right!!

Remember, we are to meet after its done and you are gonna let me test drive the 6 speed....(heh heh, nug nug)

Let's do lunch...

I might be able to take the 540/6 ( if my fiancee will give it up!!, Crazy broad skips 3rd and 5th gear.!!)

GET DOWN DEMON!!!

ELI

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by Chris, Windy City Chapter


First status update:

There is an incompatibility with the current diff flange's 4 bolts. We need a 6 bolt flange. The 3.38 diff is a hold over from the auto tranny conversion. We wanted to try out the 3.38 diff for a while before changing out to a BMP 3.46 diff with 40% LSD.

I said to go ahead and order the 3.46 diff from BMP and let's get that mod out of the way.

Now we have a delay of about one week to ship the new diff by UPS ground. Which, is OK by me, I was not too excited about shipping a 90 lb diff by FEDX over night for $400.00.

That's all for now guys.

2nd status update:

Once we determined we needed a 6 bolt flange and could not find a 6 bolt flange to use short term. Everyone wants to sell a diff with the flange and BMW stopped manufacturing 6 bolt flanges, so they are in short supply.

We decided to bypass the plan to use the 3.38 diff short term and go ahead and order the 3.46 diff. The diffs are made to order and delivery is about 10-14 days.

Knauz completed all the other mods and the inspection II. The car will be ready for pick up later today. I'll return the car when the diff comes in and the 6-speed drive line conversion will be completed at that time.

I've had several new E46 3 series loaners from Knauz BMW. They have an interior look and feel of the larger 5 series sedan. The smaller intimacy of the E36 cockpit is not there.

The chassis is stiffer, with turn in much crisper at speed. Braking is a major improvement.

It is very quiet inside with hardly any feed back from the steering or the engine rpm's. The aerodynamics have been improved and there is little to no feed back on wind noise.

The 5-speed shifting is as smooth and silky with a snick, snick shifting that we all love to experience.

All in all I think it's a good refinement of the older and cruder E36 series platform.

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by V Shah


Don't hold out on us Chris...what else is being done??

I'm getting to the point where there are no more mods to squeeze into my little 97 M3/4.

My little car is looking like eurospeed's bulked up and bulging muscles. -:) He did post his photo and it was cool to finally see him.

BTW, after I've had my fun with the current photo I posted, I'll post my real pic for you guy's.

The other mods were the E46 rear shock mounts.

A new and larger Brembo kit replaced the older and smaller Brembo kit up front. The new Brembo kit has larger rotors and 3 pistons per caliper.

A newly available Brembo kit for the rear brakes replacing the Brembo rotors and Carbotech, Panther pads.

New 18" wheels and SO-3 PP tires.

Next up is a visit to Shady Days for a 3M protective film application on the front. I need to protect the new and harder 3 coat, 2 stage paint job and the installation of the ASC body kit.

In May I'll be shipping my 1997 E36 M3/4 to ACS in Germany for installation of my S62 engine.

We are going to re-purpose the S62 engine they took out of my 2000 M5 to install a BMW V12 LMR engine.

That's all the newz for this morning. I'll post an update when the 3.46 diff arrives and I bring my car in for the 6-speed conversion.

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by ELIBEEMER
Get down Chris...

Take your time, and do the whole thing right!!

Remember, we are to meet after its done and you are gonna let me test drive the 6 speed....(heh heh, nug nug)

Let's do lunch...

I might be able to take the 540/6 ( if my fiancee will give it up!!, Crazy broad skips 3rd and 5th gear.!!)

GET DOWN DEMON!!!

ELI

First up will be a performance ride for you, I'll be driving and you'll be in the passenger seat. The "O jesus" handle is on the door for your use during the ride. hohohoho, are you in for the ride of u life and am I'm gonna have some fun. Hope we can find a vette or Porsche on the road too.

Next up, your turn to drive!

Bring your Honey, we'll have some driving fun with her too. Jus don't tell her about the performance ride waiting for her, surprise, surprise. hahahah.

Next we'll have lunch last after the rides, no sense in messing up my little car during one of my wild performance drives.

Looking forward to hooking up with you. I replied to your email with my phone number, send me an email with your phone number to get together.

[BAADDOG]

About a month a go we ordered a diff with a 6 bolt flange, well it finally shipped in and now we pick up where we left off.

On March 27 Knauz BMW will perform the following upgrades to my 97 M3/4:

5-speed to 6-speed tranny

Drive shaft with 6 bolt flange

3.46 diff with 40% lsd

ACS short shifter and shift linkage

BMW lighted 6-speed leather knob and boot

E46 rear shock mounts

Replace failed VDO voltage meter

I picked up a new 2001 silver 330i coupe loaner car with 1,500 miles on the clock. This is one sweet car.

I'm still most anxious about the road test with the ACS short shifter. I hope it is snick, snick, buttery smooth shifting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by Chris, Windy City Chapter
About a month a go we ordered a diff with a 6 bolt flange, well it finally shipped in and now we pick up where we left off.

On March 27 Knauz BMW will perform the following upgrades to my 97 M3/4:

5-speed to 6-speed tranny

Drive shaft with 6 bolt flange

3.46 diff with 40% lsd

ACS short shifter and shift linkage

BMW lighted 6-speed leather knob and boot

E46 rear shock mounts

Replace failed VDO voltage meter

I picked up a new 2001 silver 330i coupe loaner car with 1,500 miles on the clock. This is one sweet car.

I'm still most anxious about the road test with the ACS short shifter. I hope it is snick, snick, buttery smooth shifting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)


I picked up my car at Knauz BMW this evening.

The 6-speed tranny, 3.46 diff and the ACS shifter and shift linkage, along with the BMW lighted 6-speed leather knob and boot were installed, along with E46 rear shock mounts and some other misc. work.

The first thing I did when I got in (before starting the car) was to try out the ACS shifter, thru all the gears, several times just shifting for a while. I luv the
precision and the feel. I had been highly anxious about the ACS shifter.

The shifter is a little tight, but I expect that to loosen up. I luv the shifter.

I had been driving around some tonight after I left Knauz. The 3.46 diff gives the car a really nice and different feel to the acceleration and handling on the straights. I like the feel much better of all 6 gears
with the 3.46 diff.

In 6th gear is what a M3 should feel like at speed on the road. It's whisper quite in the cockpit. The only sound is the wind on the car.

Well, the job was done just perfect on all the small details and the big stuff.

I am one happy shifting driver. :)

Tomorrow I'll be driving down to St. Louis a 1,000 mile round trip down to attend the Gateway Tech event the St. Louis CCA Chapter is putting on. I'm looking forward to the cruise.

BTW, the 330ci is one sweet car. I luv the automatic rear window opening and closing from the drivers seat. It beats having to climb into the rear seats to open and close the E36 coupes rear windows. It was a pita with my 83 320is.

[Kevlar]

One word...

SWEET :cool:

[corwyn]

Congratulations, Chris!

I don't have the money to do all these things, so I'll have to live vicariously through you. ;)

[Zippy M3]

Chris,

I've got to hand it to you...you are hard core! Anyway, congrats. Are you selling the 3.38? I'm very interested because my 95 needs more low end grunt.

[Jeff P]

Chris,

WOW, awesome. You are my M-Idol! Have fun and let us all know how she behaves after your trip to St. Louis!

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by Zippy M3
Chris,

I've got to hand it to you...you are hard core! Anyway, congrats. Are you selling the 3.38? I'm very interested because my 95 needs more low end grunt.

Hi Zippy,

Thank you for your offer.

The 3.38 diff was sent to BMP for a core return credit of $1,000.00.

The new 4.46 diff w/40% lsd final cost was $1,795.00.

These performance diffs are built to order.

The 3.38 diff would be a perfect upgrade for your 3.15.

The 3.38 diff's were produced in low numbers and there are a few out there. If you find one, quickly buy it as there is a demand for them. Pay no more then $600, depending on miles and usage. I would expect you would to have to rebuild it to a 25% lsd spec.

Cheers :)

[Zippy M3]

Originally posted by Chris, Windy City Chapter


Hi Zippy,

Thank you for your offer.

The 3.38 diff was sent to BMP for a core return credit of $1,000.00.

The new 4.46 diff w/40% lsd final cost was $1,795.00.

These performance diffs are built to order.

The 3.38 diff would be a perfect upgrade for your 3.15.

The 3.38 diff's were produced in low numbers and there are a few out there. If you find one, quickly buy it as there is a demand for them. Pay no more then $600, depending on miles and usage. I would expect you would to have to rebuild it to a 25% lsd spec.

Cheers :)


Hey Chris,

A couple more questions:

1) If I buy a used one do I necessarily need to rebuild it to the 25%lsd and what does this do when you rebuild it to the specs.

2) Where do I go to purchase used diffs?

Finally, I may be comming out to your area. I'm probably heading to Bloomington, IL in a couple of weeks for 6 months. Well I guess that Bloomington is not too close to you.

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by Zippy M3



Hey Chris,

A couple more questions:

1) If I buy a used one do I necessarily need to rebuild it to the 25%lsd and what does this do when you rebuild it to the specs.

2) Where do I go to purchase used diffs?

Finally, I may be comming out to your area. I'm probably heading to Bloomington, IL in a couple of weeks for 6 months. Well I guess that Bloomington is not too close to you.

Zippy,

What's doin in Bloomington?

It's rural farmland down state.

You drivin your M3?

All the farm girls luv M3's, their BF's all drive pickmeups.

I drove back from St. Louis this afternoon, pulled off I55 north at Pontiac, IL into a Shell station. All rural farmland in the area.

Filled up, washed my windows, checked my oil. Used my remote to turned on my no big deal BMW alarm and went inside to the men's room.

Walked out of the Shell mart toward my car and used the remote to turn the alarm off, it beeps. I hear a female voice say, is that your car?

I look up and see a white pickmeup on the other side of the pump island with a cute little blond behind the wheel and a fuel nozzel in the filler pumping away.

It's my car I sez and I'm thinking am I gonna get lucky today? Hey, I'm in no hurry to get back.

She sez that's a cool looking car, is it fast? Fast enough I sez, would you like a ride? She sez I can't just now. Just then the door of the Shell mart opens and this big guy is walking out towards the pickmeup.

He has this look on his face to the girl, whats going on here? Then he gives me the what's going on here look.

I'm in my car and preparing for a fast getaway. Whoosh, I'm outta there.

That's life in the cornbelt for an M3 driver. Drive you M3 and you'll get lucky twice a day down state.

Well, back to u diff.

I'm thinking that the 25% lsd normally wears down with use over time and has to be rebuilt.

Rebuild it before you install it, so you only have to put it on once.

Start with www.zionsvilleautosport.com, Jason Lille is a great guy with super service. Ask Jason about rebuilding?

BTW, Zionsville is a suburb of Indianapolis, you could get it installed there too.

Give me a shout after you get to Bloomington, maybe we can hook up for a few beers, ribs and farm girls.

Two M3's will rule the cornbelt.

[tampaturbom3]

Hey Chris, i envy you too. the v12 m5 has got to be a sweet proposition! i have some questions;
1. with a big demand on the diff's, and bmp paying a $1k core charge, how could someone buy one for only $600. i know on all the parts i've ever bought that i paid and got a core charge refund on, the core charge is way less than what one would cost becuase that's the price they are willing to pay for a rebuildable, but already not functioning properly part. so i'm not following how it would be easy to buy one for $600 when bmp is paying $1000 for a used, non functioning core. the reason i ask is that i have a 95 diff that came out of my car at 50k miles when i put the Quaif (sp?) in. i would kind of like to know what it's worth since it is in fine working condition.
2. can you email me the ratio's of the 6 speed tranny and would you be willing to share w/ me what one costs. i figure when/if i blow my current one up, i might would check out the 6 speed, especially if it's final ratio is an overdrive type situation. i'm not too wild about having to run 4000rpms to go 80mph cruising on the hwy. i have plenty of torque, so lower rpms for cruising would be just fine.
thank you,

[BAADDOG]

Originally posted by tampaturbom3
Hey Chris, i envy you too. the v12 m5 has got to be a sweet proposition! i have some questions;
1. with a big demand on the diff's, and bmp paying a $1k core charge, how could someone buy one for only $600. i know on all the parts i've ever bought that i paid and got a core charge refund on, the core charge is way less than what one would cost becuase that's the price they are willing to pay for a rebuildable, but already not functioning properly part. so i'm not following how it would be easy to buy one for $600 when bmp is paying $1000 for a used, non functioning core. the reason i ask is that i have a 95 diff that came out of my car at 50k miles when i put the Quaif (sp?) in. i would kind of like to know what it's worth since it is in fine working condition.
2. can you email me the ratio's of the 6 speed tranny and would you be willing to share w/ me what one costs. i figure when/if i blow my current one up, i might would check out the 6 speed, especially if it's final ratio is an overdrive type situation. i'm not too wild about having to run 4000rpms to go 80mph cruising on the hwy. i have plenty of torque, so lower rpms for cruising would be just fine.
thank you,

Tommy,

I think the $1,000 core return credit is a huge promotional discount to attract customers. There is a lot of indirect competition with Quaife.

Without the $1,000 discount, BMP retail list price would be about the same or a little bit more then Quaife, depending on the spec.

BMP, uses an unidentified, contracted diff rebuilder. There is no, on the shelf inventory here, the customer orders a diff built to spec. Delivery is about 10-14 days, plus shipping. This concept tends to hold down overhead costs.

BMP does not buy diffs for $1,000 on the open market from BMW owners.

The 3.38 diffs I've seen for resale by BMW owners are about $350-650.00, depending on miles and condition.

I'll send you an email on the 6-speed costs, as that is a private transaction between me and my BMW Dealer.