M42 E36 transmission in a M50 E36?

[SwanRage]

So my M42B18 engine is not worthy. The car's rust issues are too much to deal with. So my friend offered me a M50 E36 without the trans for $150. I haven't really looked at the car so I'm not sure what it will come with but I know engine, Harness and DME are there. I've read on here multiple times that the m42 trans fits the M50 but I haven't found all the info I need.

My question is If I take the m42 trans out of the 318is and put it in the 325i what will I need? Do I need to swap over the driveshaft and diff also? Will the diff with driveshaft bolt right up? If I don't need to swap them which diff is the better one? The car will most likely be boosted in the future and used for drifting and maybe SOME daily driving. Will the shift linkage from the 318 be needed or the 325? Clutch cylinders the same?

Any info is much appreciated. I've searched but couldn't find all the info. If a post exists that I've missed a link would be awesome.

[Bimmerlife93]

I think you will need different shift linkage and the right drive shaft for the 325 diff. Not sure which diff is better because im not sure what ratio you have in each car. Everything else should bolt up but the 318 trasmission probably won't hold up long if your boosted or beating on it

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[bluptgm3]

I'd guess transmission, transmission cross member, drive shaft, and shift linkage, and differential.

www.realoem.com is your friend.
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[SwanRage]

Just talked to my friend. The 325i is from 96 so obd2 and EWS(?) I assume.

I think you will need different shift linkage and the right drive shaft for the 325 diff. Not sure which diff is better because im not sure what ratio you have in each car. Everything else should bolt up but the 318 trasmission probably won't hold up long if your boosted or beating on it

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The engine will be built later on next year. Just need it to hold out for a while so I can get some drift practice in.

I'd guess transmission, transmission cross member, drive shaft, and shift linkage.

www.realoem.com is your friend.
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How would I use realoem.com to see what would be needed? Just search both vehicles and match part numbers/pictures?

[jakermac]

The 325 and 318 E36 manual transmissions are the same part. Your shift linkage, trans crossmember, etc... will be the same. The driveshaft depends on which diff you use. The 318 driveshaft is longer to go with the smaller (shorter in length) 318 diff. I've been pounding 270whp/240ft-lbs of torque through my 325is trans for the last couple years. Still good to go!

[SwanRage]

The 325 and 318 E36 manual transmissions are the same part. Your shift linkage, trans crossmember, etc... will be the same. The driveshaft depends on which diff you use. The 318 driveshaft is longer to go with the smaller (shorter in length) 318 diff. I've been pounding 270whp/240ft-lbs of torque through my 325is trans for the last couple years. Still good to go!

Awesome. I'm going to use everything from the 325 that I can. So it should just be as easy as pulling the trans out of the 318 and putting it in the 325?

[atlantisvip]

Never heard of a 96 325..

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[bluptgm3]

Just talked to my friend. The 325i is from 96 so obd2 and EWS(?) I assume.

E36 has had a series of engine configurations, engine sizes, and engine management/controls.

In the US of A -
Initially, six cylinder cars were offered without VaNos and controlled with OBDI management system. Early in E36 production the VaNos system was introduced still managed by an OBDI, this 'build date' period spans the years of ~1989 - 1996 (model year 1990 thru model year 1995.) This included the 2.5L 325 and 3.0L M3 six cylinder engines.

Model year (MY) 1996 was the introduction of mandatory OBDII controls for the 2.8L 328, 2.5L 323, and 3.2L M3 six cylinder engines.

Here is a capture of the EWS system by Turner Motorsports
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-faq-ews

How would I use realoem.com to see what would be needed? Just search both vehicles and match part numbers/pictures?

Yes, compare p/n's …maybe search other forums for other threads.



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[atlantisvip]

There was no 325, 2.5 E36 manufactured in the US of A after 95..

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[SwanRage]

There was no 325, 2.5 E36 manufactured in the US of A after 95..

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Yeah. I misunderstood my friend. It's a 96 328is with the obd1 m50.

[flyfishvt]

I am assuming that both cars are 5 speed manual cars? The fact the 96 has an m50 is meaningless to this discussion.

A little recap is needed here. You want to take the tranny out of a 318 and put it into a 96 328. That's very doable. Plug and play mostly. The only question is if the 328 still has the shifter linkage and drive shaft.

318 uses a Getrag 250 5 speed. The 328 would have come with a ZF320 5 speed. They use very different shifter linkage and driveshaft. The shifter linkage is easy. When you remove the tranny from the 318 take the shifter linkage with it. If the 328 has shifter linkage remove it.

Drive shaft gets a little tricky. Easiest solution is to get a drive shaft from a 5speed 325 or 323 and use that. If the 328 has the driveshaft in it then take it out and sell it. 328 5 speed driveshafts are getting harder to find and they're in demand by people doing the auto/manual conversion. $200 is getting to be a reasonable price for one.

[SwanRage]

I am assuming that both cars are 5 speed manual cars? The fact the 96 has an m50 is meaningless to this discussion.

A little recap is needed here. You want to take the tranny out of a 318 and put it into a 96 328. That's very doable. Plug and play mostly. The only question is if the 328 still has the shifter linkage and drive shaft.

318 uses a Getrag 250 5 speed. The 328 would have come with a ZF320 5 speed. They use very different shifter linkage and driveshaft. The shifter linkage is easy. When you remove the tranny from the 318 take the shifter linkage with it. If the 328 has shifter linkage remove it.

Drive shaft gets a little tricky. Easiest solution is to get a drive shaft from a 5speed 325 or 323 and use that. If the 328 has the driveshaft in it then take it out and sell it. 328 5 speed driveshafts are getting harder to find and they're in demand by people doing the auto/manual conversion. $200 is getting to be a reasonable price for one.

both cars are manual. I believe the shifter linkage is there but I'm not sure on the driveshaft. So I'll most likely have to source a driveshaft locally but that still isn't bad. Thanks for the info.