So it begins... US 840Ci 6 speed swap

[ChrisFuture8]

Job well done, Olin. And I see a couple of RC airplanes in the background. The silver one might be a P51-Mustang. That's where most of my time have been spent these days. I'm envious of your 6spd. swap sir.

[bmw528e11]

How much are you planing to sell your 840Ci 6-Speed ?

[tvjake2]

I think he wants $47,500.

[bmw528e11]

What the Millage and service history!? lol

[e31bev]

I wasn't even so sure your were done with this swap, so initially, I was asking for updates, Lol. Wow.., I just want you to know that you will be the reason why I will convert my m60 to 6spd! Thanks for the detailed info on your swap.

[olinjohnston]

I wasn't even so sure your were done with this swap, so initially, I was asking for updates, Lol. Wow.., I just want you to know that you will be the reason why I will convert my m60 to 6spd! Thanks for the detailed info on your swap.

Yep, been done for 6 months!

I'm glad you find it useful. Information sharing is what makes the E31 world turn...

[redimension]

What do you think about the shifter height? Could it be shorter? Where did you end up sourcing your driveshaft from?

[olinjohnston]

Yes the shifter could be shorter. I'm not in love with the height and long throws. However, I wanted to start with building it with all the factory parts to see what it was like, and go from there. Also I have no real idea what shifters would work on it. The rod going from the transmission to the shifter shaft is 840-specific, and the commonly available kits for smaller cars are angled wrong. I did actually test fit one my friend had for an e46. I am totally open to suggestions, but there aren't a whole lot of manual 840s in the world. I don't think the 850 options will work on it, but I really don't know.

As for the drive shaft, I simply ordered it through the parts department at BMW. However, it is now blocked for ordering in the USA the same way the euro lights are.

[redimension]

Yes the shifter could be shorter. I'm not in love with the height and long throws. However, I wanted to start with building it with all the factory parts to see what it was like, and go from there. Also I have no real idea what shifters would work on it. The rod going from the transmission to the shifter shaft is 840-specific, and the commonly available kits for smaller cars are angled wrong. I did actually test fit one my friend had for an e46. I am totally open to suggestions, but there aren't a whole lot of manual 840s in the world. I don't think the 850 options will work on it, but I really don't know.

As for the drive shaft, I simply ordered it through the parts department at BMW. However, it is now blocked for ordering in the USA the same way the euro lights are.

gotcha. bringing home an 840 this weekend. already have a full 6spd drivetrain from an e34 car i picked up.

looking at driveshafts, the e46 driveshaft is the same length, 1418mm as what the 840 manual calls for. Im sure the flanges will have to be swapped but i have access to the e46 ds for free, so cant hurt to look at. Im sure sourcing one from bmw wont be cheap if at all possible, like you say. Can also always modify my auto ds.

I might look into the shifter thing tonight.

[IJustDrive]

Yes the shifter could be shorter. I'm not in love with the height and long throws. However, I wanted to start with building it with all the factory parts to see what it was like, and go from there. Also I have no real idea what shifters would work on it. The rod going from the transmission to the shifter shaft is 840-specific, and the commonly available kits for smaller cars are angled wrong. I did actually test fit one my friend had for an e46. I am totally open to suggestions, but there aren't a whole lot of manual 840s in the world. I don't think the 850 options will work on it, but I really don't know.

As for the drive shaft, I simply ordered it through the parts department at BMW. However, it is now blocked for ordering in the USA the same way the euro lights are.

I have access to a machine shop. I can either shorten a stock one or machine a whole new. Does someone have one already loose i could borrow. I can take some measurements? I know of three we could sell right away!

[olinjohnston]

I have access to a machine shop. I can either shorten a stock one or machine a whole new. Does someone have one already loose i could borrow. I can take some measurements? I know of three we could sell right away!

The stock 840Ci shifter-shaft itself is just the same one as an E30 3 uses.

[IJustDrive]

The stock 840Ci shifter-shaft itself is just the same one as an E30 3 uses.

Good to know. I don't have one of those either, however probably much easier to source. Thanks Olin.

[olinjohnston]

25117527246
Shift lever
From:05/02/2007

Supersedes:
25111221978 (09/01/1990 — 12/14/2007), Exchangeable retrospectively
25111221795 (09/01/1989 — 04/10/1997), nonexchangeable retrospectively
25111221096 (01/01/1987 — ), nonexchangeable retrospectively
25111220603 (09/02/1985 — 01/25/2007), nonexchangeable retrospectively
25111220326 (09/01/1982 — )

Part 25117527246 was found on the following vehicles:
3' E30   (01/1985 — 02/1994)
3' E36   (11/1989 — 08/2000)
8' E31   (12/1992 — 05/1999) V8 only
Z1 Roadster   (07/1988 — 06/1991)

lol @ Z1

[IJustDrive]

25117527246
Shift lever
From:05/02/2007

Supersedes:
25111221978 (09/01/1990 — 12/14/2007), Exchangeable retrospectively
25111221795 (09/01/1989 — 04/10/1997), nonexchangeable retrospectively
25111221096 (01/01/1987 — ), nonexchangeable retrospectively
25111220603 (09/02/1985 — 01/25/2007), nonexchangeable retrospectively
25111220326 (09/01/1982 — )

Part 25117527246 was found on the following vehicles:
3' E30   (01/1985 — 02/1994)
3' E36   (11/1989 — 08/2000)
8' E31   (12/1992 — 05/1999) V8 only
Z1 Roadster   (07/1988 — 06/1991)

lol @ Z1

Always the man with all the info, thanks Olin.

[rjbaren]

I believe Terminator (Svein) in Norway used a short shifter that fits the E36 and E46. His thread is on 8.er.org from Feb 6th 2012 "From automatic to manual conversion 840"

[redimension]

I just put in an order for all the shifter linkage bits with my local dealer. Hopefully everything is available. I have an e34, complete donor, and Im interested to see how the Shifting Arm is different between the 2. luckily things like the pedals, master and slave cylinders are all the same and also the trans mount. save some coin there.

I havent gone to grab my e46 driveshaft yet to look at the differences yet. I already have a feeling that Im just going to need to take my auto ds to the shop to have it extended.

[olinjohnston]

I just put in an order for all the shifter linkage bits with my local dealer. Hopefully everything is available. I have an e34, complete donor, and Im interested to see how the Shifting Arm is different between the 2. luckily things like the pedals, master and slave cylinders are all the same and also the trans mount. save some coin there.

I havent gone to grab my e46 driveshaft yet to look at the differences yet. I already have a feeling that Im just going to need to take my auto ds to the shop to have it extended.

The 840-specific shifting arm is adjustable and ungodly expensive for what it is...

What year is your 840Ci?

[redimension]

The 840-specific shifting arm is adjustable and ungodly expensive for what it is...

What year is your 840Ci?

the 840 is a 95.

The shifting arm is adjustable? This part number?

25111222366

Or did you mean the Selector Rod? This number: 25111222367

were you able to source any of this stuff outside of bmw? used?

[olinjohnston]

Sorry, I meant the "selector rod" #4. The shifting arm #2 is also 840-specific, but it was cheap.

The only thing I got used was the transmission itself, and the clutch pedal from the junkyard. Everything else was brand new from BMW with the exception of the flywheel kit. I bought that online. Oh, and the wiring/connector for the backup lights I got from a junk car too.

[IJustDrive]

Which part needs to be shortened? Just the shift lever, correct? How much would be suggested?

[smokum]

Maybe it was addressed but i didnt see was there any issues with the ECU looking for the slushbox???

[olinjohnston]

Maybe it was addressed but i didnt see was there any issues with the ECU looking for the slushbox???

No, but my car has the earlier "404" Motronic, so it is a little simpler - no EWS either. The only electronic hurdles were: 1. Making it start without the automatic 2. Clearing the TRANS FAILSAFE PROG. warning, and 3. Making the backup lights work.

These three things are addressed in this thread. Instead of a jumper wire on the fuse box in place of the K1 Starter Relay, I simply swapped that relay with a "jumper" fake relay that I bought for $6 at BMW. This allows the engine to be started without being in "Park or Neutral."

[spikec]

That selector rod is $448 vs $27 for the one for an e39. I ran across a post that says it'll fit if you shorten it a bit. For a $421 potential savings it's worth a shot!

[rjbaren]

No, it's not. How much is a bit? When your going to this time and expense saving $400.00 isn't worth the possible grief you may find that you won't realize you have until it's drivable. Then what? It's very nice to just do this once and then drive it and not look back.

[spikec]

Well, I'll take a look at it when I get it and see what needs to be changed. If I can't modify it, I'll spring for the hideously over-priced one. It's just a linkage, and the fact that the 840 one is adjustable means there's a pretty wide tolerance.