Finally finished my 6 speed swap on my 1993 740i. Thought id share my info and experience for i don't believe there's many out there. I did not document everything but should be able to answer just about any questions regarding this.
TO start off i used the 6 speed manual from a 2001 e39 M5, Jb racing racing lightweight flywheel, and Oem Sachs e39 m5 clutch. Most all other parts i purchased new from ECS tuning. Here's some of the parts piled together, combination of parts from the e34 540i, and e39 : 36813628622_8ce81fed6a_c.jpg
Next few pictures show removal of automatic:
36813624192_1a1f5212fb_c.jpg36587788480_d8fcc29b28_c.jpg36985009375_89b9dca71e_c.jpg
Last edited by Musclebimmer; 09-02-2017 at 04:45 PM.
It was MASSIVE
36149221984_511879b497_c.jpg
With the transmission out i then removed Torque converter, and starter flywheel
36984950435_36e42496e5_c.jpg36587683050_6290b83de9_c.jpg
Now it was time to install the new flywheel and clutch. Clutch was a self adjusting clutch so i was a little worried at first but it turned out about the same install process as a regular clutch
36149216454_b6d2304e22_c.jpg36149216884_56cd82593b_c.jpg
Last edited by Musclebimmer; 09-02-2017 at 06:06 PM.
After bypassing the transmission cooler and with the transmission cleaned up i was ready to install. MUCH lighter than the automatic.
36587740930_1e0833ed5a_c.jpg36984954245_2b462b60b7_c.jpg36985003465_c6361f604d_c.jpg
With the transmission in i was able to measure for my custom driveshaft. It came out to lengthening the stock one exactly 15cm. (photo of measuring was just a rough measurement without driveshaft actually bolted in yet)
36149141524_40ce0e0140_c.jpg36149196884_29fcce99c3_c.jpg
Next i did pedal box and master cylinder. For me this was a huge pain but i was able to get it done without removing anything. It was nice that the holes for the master cylinder were pre-punched so all had to do was hit them out. Everything to mount the pedal box was there.
36844666941_272239eb99_c.jpg36984947155_bfdaa03cf8_c.jpg
Couldn't order the oem e34 540i clutch lines so i was forced to make one of my own. (did not make square line just had to flare one end of that one)
36797152266_6e0c229842_c.jpg36844711511_10b23fbcf6_c.jpg36587738910_11f8c7bf63_c.jpg
Last edited by Musclebimmer; 09-02-2017 at 04:52 PM.
Made my own little bracket for the clutch fluid reservoir.
36813666812_d60ccbcee3_c.jpg36985027235_ec4d0b48e5_c.jpg
Forgot to document the wiring involved but it was minimal. Just followed another thread and had to splice 2 wires to get the car to work. After that was dealt with i hooked up the shifter and linkages. I used an e60 short shifter and it feels fantastic with the weighted shift knob.
36984978825_941fe92e0a_c.jpg36176316403_2c276204ab_c.jpg36149216174_1baff02818_c.jpg
36587741290_f236649524_c.jpg
Everything went smoothly but on the first test drive i noticed that the rpms would go up or hang there when i put in the clutch rather than go down as they should. A manual performance chip from DUDMD fixed everything.
I'm still in the clutch break in period but after driving it a bit it's clear this swap completely changed the car. Everything feels superb and throttle response with the lightweight flywheel is insane. I will be posting videos in the future. I"m sure there is a whole lot i left out but the swap was very straight forward. Only custom piece required was driveshaft which i got extended for less than 200$. This swap was not cheap, for everything i spent a total of around $3000 in parts but i highly recommend it to anyone who wants their 7 to be fast, responsive, and sportier. I've driven manual e36 m3's, e34 540i's, WRX's, EVO x's and various other BMW's and this is still one of the best feeling manual cars i have ever driven.
Last edited by Jormotors; 04-05-2018 at 03:29 PM.
Fantastic. What a great set of pictures to see. Amazing talent. Must drive like a beast. Congrats.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
Thanks for the write up...that's EXACTLY what i want to do with my 93. Is your car really brown? Is that a stock color?
I like your R and Street fighter vids.
1 of 1 Individual Color Code 455 (Fecal)
Last edited by XAlt; 09-02-2017 at 09:18 PM.
Woot ! Looking good man ! Did you find the clutch switch wiring for the cruise control ? I never found it.
Last edited by e30luv318i; 09-04-2017 at 01:29 PM.
Me E30 87/ 325i + F25 12/ M-Sport + E32 94/ 740i
G/F’s E34 92/ 525iT + F48 18/ X1
Thanks for posting this 'adventure' . love to hear how positive the results are !! love it
- - - Updated - - -
I never did, I just decided it wasn't a necessity for me so i didn't really look into it lol.
- - - Updated - - -
Brown yes, stock no. I was going to paint it a gunmetal but decided to go with something weird.
Attachment 609523
Last edited by Musclebimmer; 09-06-2017 at 01:35 PM.
Update: Clutch is just about broken in and i floored it first time. It's exceeded all my expectations. Feels worlds faster and much more responsive but is still comfortable to drive. Only downside is that the lightweight flywheel makes it idle a bit low sometimes but it doesn't bother me nor affect drive-ability. Clutch feel is very good and it's easy to drive. Videos coming soon.
Cool...I'm a fan of brown cars.
Love the color, love everything that you've done and tastefully modded with the LWFW, short throw shifter, knob, M5 clutch, etc.....Exactly how I would have done it!
Only thing missing is a video so we can get a feeling of the rolling awesomeness.
Here's a quick video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxPJ...odpmo1w03c010c
It's considerably quicker than my friends e34 540i 6 speed. Both have same 3.15lsd, exhaust, and DUDMD tune. I guess the lightweight flywheel really does a lot.
Only thing i'm changing on the car is upgrading to stiffer engine mounts, everything seems to move quite a bit under 1st gear acceleration. Couldn't be happier with how the car turned out.
Last edited by Musclebimmer; 09-11-2017 at 12:37 AM.
Nice mod.. and that color of the car is stunning
Sveinbjörn Hrafnsson
E30 CABRIO V12 M70B50 ///
ALPINA B10 BITURBO 346 @ 507
ULTIMA Evolution
Contacts
http://alpina.123.is/pictures/
Thanks for the photos! Will help a ton when its my turn, though a little more difficult I assume. That color looks amazing btw
BMW 7er Website www.7er.com
1989 BMW 735i Schwarz (sadly, sold) // 1989 BMW 750iL Cirrusblau Metallic // 1998 BMW 740iL Oxfordgrün Metallic // 2000 M5 Carbon Schwarz ///
I'll bet with stiffer motor mounts, the shifter won't move around so much. What exhaust did you put on it?
Bookmarks