92 automatic tranny? what can be done to make it stronger?

[jerseykat1]

i have a 92 325i auto tranny and i was wondering what can be done to it to allow me to push 300hp through it reliably. Is there another trans that will fit that is more robust, or will i have to have it built by a trans shop. I am not interested in doing a swap to a manual trans.

thank you.

[strad]

Unlike with American cars, there is not a large market for beefed-up automatic transmissions able to handle more power for BMWs. Most serious BMW enthusiasts who go after big power do so using a manual transmission. And at least for an E36, the Getrag manual that would have come in your car (were it a manual) is not strong either. You need the ZF that was installed in 328s and M3s.

There are other auto transmissions that are capable of handling more power (the one from later M3s comes to mind) but, it is an electronically controlled transmission and making it talk to your 92's DME will be very challenging, probably on a grad school level. If you're going to build the trans that came with your car, you're pretty much on your own. I'd suggest you talk to the absolute best trans shop you can find in your area and ask them what their experience level is. Building an auto trans to handle that power will be MUCH more expensive than doing a manual swap.

[choffa]

Give these guys a call:

http://www.levelten.com/SearchResult...9&Redirected=Y

In North Jersey, good reputation among German car owners (Audis in particular).

[z0lt3c]

My 92 325i engine & tranny was swapped in from a donor 1995 M3 auto. Both the S50 and ZF 5 speed auto trans in this case. The ZF trans from the 95 will bolt right up to the 325i, you will just need everything to make it work; trans, dme, harnesses, shift selector, cross member, driveshaft. It's far superior to the 4 speed getrag and you can find them for dirt cheap these days.

[patrick325]

Whats dirt cheap? Then theres the cost of having it put in too...

In fact, at last years bav auto show n shine, I met this lady from conneticut, that had a supercharged vert with an automatic. I don't know how she made it all work though..

[z0lt3c]

Whats dirt cheap?

There are 2 swap setups for sale on this forum right now for $300. I know of 1 parts dealer that has a whole shelf full of these 5HP18 units. They sell so infrequently you can almost name your price.

For example, I sold my complete swap for $175 to a local. Only had 80k miles on it. Better then throwing it out I figured. The 5HP18 can handle HP up into 300's, it's the same trans used in most e39 auto's where it's much more common to FI an auto.

Then theres the cost of having it put in too...

Shouldn't cost any more then a typical clutch job on a manual. I would think $500 for you to drop it off and pick it up.

[patrick325]

I was talking about the cost involved with swapping to a 5 speed. That does sound like an interesting option, but your dealing with sofware issues then..

[jerseykat1]

Thanks for the help guys. I have been kicking this around in my head for a few days now. I have decided (for the moment anyway) that my best bet would be to just sell the car and buy a 328.

So any e36 328 automatic will be able to handle 300hp reliably?

[E36 328is]

328's use the same GM 4 speed auto.

[jerseykat1]

ok i read it wrong. It is the e39's that have the 5 speed automatic. So the only way for me to have a reliable automatic setup would be to do the swap.