Project - Converting my 740i to manual 6 speed

[jfparent]

My auto transmission (sport) failed so I am going for the 6 speed.

I am getting a 540i transmission with all related components from a donor car.
I also bough a new crossmember part #22 31 1 092 550

Based on the info I gathered, I need to extend my 740i driveshaft by 88 mmm and shifter linkages by 15 mm.

Some of the questions I have:

1. Which parts should I replace with brand new parts?
2. What electrical connection modification do I have to perform?
3. What coding to I have to perform and with which tools?

My objective is to maintain:

A) Reverse light
B) Cruise Control
C) Dynamic Stability/Traction Control

And I don't want the starter to activate if the transmission is in gear.

Lots of info on the web but I didn't find a clear procedure, especially for the electrical connections.

I am thinking of creating a clear procedure while performing this conversion (with pictures and wiring diagrams), but will need help from the community for the info. If it already exist, please point it to me (please don't say google it...).

Thanks

[clarkitect]

Try this:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...g%20to%20a%206

Plenty of guys here have done this swap so advice shouldn't be hard to come by. Good luck!

[jfparent]

Thanks a lot! I was looking for a reference like this.

I will post on my progress as I go along and for technical assistance as required.

Try this:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...g%20to%20a%206

Plenty of guys here have done this swap so advice shouldn't be hard to come by. Good luck!

[Caldwell8]

Looking for help with the wiring to get the car started. E38 with six speed conversion complete but having a hard time understanding exactly what should be done to correct the wiring for start up. Any help would be much appreciated

[jfparent]

Here is my part diagram analysis with options and my selected way forward. Anyone doing the 6 speed swap should find it interesting, I've put a lot of effort into it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AwAyUJfIzJE_uKw8daNtTWVadjfeysi6/view?usp=sharing

OSX Numbers and Microsoft Excel files available upon request...

[jfparent]

My 740i receiving the 6 speed gearbox.

[jfparent]

Now I am attacking the electrical portion of this project. I've read multiple options but the one that I believe is the most elegant solution is to emulate the automatic transmission with a custom designed module. I believe this has been done on a manual 750iL by Rob Levinson (UUC). Anyone knows how it was done? Maybe Ron himself could provide info?

The idea is to get the EGS/AGS to thinks the automatic transmission is still present and working fine, so no error message is generated. I would needs inputs from the clutch switches, gear selector switches, and reverse switch. I assume that it provides a specific resistance to emulate the AT solenoids but I am really not sure how it deals with the turbine and output speed sensor. The transmission oil temp could be installed on the manual transmission maybe...

I am really interested in having some details of the built. Anyone have some knowledge of this, or any other emulator.

Thanks for the support!

[XAlt]

Just a note, why would you want the starter to not work when in gear? I've disabled my clutch saftey switch so I can limp to the side of the road. Handy feature

There should be a DME software for the real 740i/6 or the E39 version that bypasses the EGS entirely.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ed-swap-coding

[conchiko]

Excellent work on the parts list jfparent! Did you figure out the wiring? Interested in how the swap went for you as I am considering it for my 2001 740i.