e23 first time trans swap

[holdstarrunner]

I'm probably in over my head on this one. This is my first trans swap ever and my friend's first BMW trans swap (he's done GM and Ford swaps).

I finally found a 5 speed from an '84 733i for my '79 733i that currently has a defunct 4 speed. The car was smashed but the entire drive train was there. Since the car is salvage, we just cut the front end and pulled out the complete drive train from the wrecked car. Then I took out the drive shaft as I'll need that. So now that we have the drive train out, my thought is to start by separating the trans from the motor and boy do I have questions that I hope I can get some input on. Again, please bear with me as this is my first time and some of these questions may seem ridiculous:

1) Is the shifter on the 5 speed supposed to have a bend in it? Or did I do that when removing it from the car? See pic below.
2) When separating it from the engine, is there anything I should be careful of? Anything particular about the hydraulic clutch?
3) Since my '79 e23 already has pedals, I should be fine there, right?
4) Will my differential be fine in my '79? I should just be able to mate the 5 speed drive shaft to it, right? Will my speedo be off when it has the 5 speed?
5) Should I change the clutch and various bearings and all while I have it out and apart? If so, is bavauto one of the best places? I'm not looking for performance parts, just quality ones.
6) Anything else I should know?

I appreciate any insight!
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[sully32]

1) Is the shifter on the 5 speed supposed to have a bend in it?
Yes, the bend is intentional. Replace the rubber bushings at the forward end of the shifter plate while it's out and consider replacing the other moving shifter parts - bushing at shifter, bushing at transmission, cup parts.

2) When separating it from the engine, is there anything I should be careful of? Anything particular about the hydraulic clutch?
Nothing to worry about here AFAIK.

3) Since my '79 e23 already has pedals, I should be fine there, right?
Yes.

4) Will my differential be fine in my '79? I should just be able to mate the 5 speed drive shaft to it, right?
Yes.
Will my speedo be off when it has the 5 speed?
No, the speed sensor is in the differential.

5) Should I change the clutch and various bearings and all while I have it out and apart?
Absolutely. Change the transmission fluid now too.

If so, is bavauto one of the best places? I'm not looking for performance parts, just quality ones.
Shop around, look for the best price on OEM or Sachs parts. Find the correct part numbers from RealOEM.

6) Anything else I should know?
Yes. When you get so frustrated you want to send the car to the crusher, be sure to send me the 5 sp. conversion parts first. J/K!
Other folks that have done this conversion will probably chime in with better advice than mine...

HTH

Shawn

[FlyOverCountry]

it's not that bad, if you can use a 735 clutch they are cheapest at Rock Auto.

my swap - http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...on-Tranny-Swap

if you have any questions pm me

[holdstarrunner]

Awesome, thanks so much man! I do have the pedal box out of the '84 e23 if you are interested...

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks FlyOverCountry...you did a very detailed swap! I'll certainly be using this as a guide for my swap. I'm certain I'll have some questions, so I'm sure I'll be sending you a pm or two.

[kmunz]

Awesome, thanks so much man! I do have the pedal box out of the '84 e23 if you are interested... - - - Updated - - - Thanks FlyOverCountry...you did a very detailed swap! I'll certainly be using this as a guide for my swap. I'm certain I'll have some questions, so I'm sure I'll be sending you a pm or two.

I'd be interested in the pedal box if it's for a manual...

[holdstarrunner]

I will be attempting to take out the pedal box this week before I junk what's left of the car. Feel free to PM me for more info.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, does this drain plug look okay for a 200k mile transmission? Any one see any warning signs?20160415_204350.jpg20160415_204345.jpg

[thecarstylist]

Hey, will the pedals from a 85 manual 735 work for my auto conversion 87 735?

Thanks

[DesktopDave]

Hey, will the pedals from a 85 manual 735 work for my auto conversion 87 735?

Thanks

Yep, just bolts right in. Triple-check the diagrams at RealOEM to be sure you don't miss little stuff. Ideal time to replace all those little rubber spring bushings and lube the pivot points.

I just removed one from my parts car. Things I noted...lots of bolts come from the front, there's like none from the back. I dropped the steering column too. My favorite method is to loosen up the steering shaft slider nut, mark the lower & upper sections so I can put them together the same way, and pull the whole column out. Took less than an hour, saved me approx. a million hours of frustration. The weird little socket bolt that holds the accellerator cable took me a while to figure out. Did you get the little bracket for the clutch reservoir?

[Jay535is]

I agree that removing the column is the best way to fly here...I also remove the front seat.
Those extra 5 or 10 minutes for removal are more than made up for with ease of frustration and anger when trying to contort your body up under the dash.