5 Speed Swap Issues

[DerStig]

Recently, I did a 5 speed swap on my 1997 M3, using a transmission form another e36 M3. I have all new clutch plate, pressure plate, throw out bearing, flywheel, brake fluid spec rubber clutch lines, and a new slave cylinder. The only three things that were not new are the transmission, a clutch master cylinder, and the metal clutch hose leading from the master cylinder. The clutch system was bled by a shop. My two issues I am having are:
1. The car will not go into gear
2. The car will only start if it is out of gear and the clutch pedal is not pressed.

Where can I start looking for solutions to both of these issues?

[pbonsalb]

Occasionally people install the clutch disc backwards. The snout goes towards the motor. Some discs even say that, often in German so you might not have known what it meant.

[scooper]

other possibility is the clutch wasn't properly bled.

[pbonsalb]

The way I read the post, the OP installed the clutch and trans and a shop bled it, so without knowing the OP’s skill level, I wound suspect a fault in his work before the shop’s work. Hopefully he will do a follow up post.

[DerStig]

OP here, The shop did do more than bleed the system, they actually took the transmission off to try and figure out why something was grinding in the transmission. I had also driven it home from the shop with no issues. My dad is more inclined to believe the master cylinder is to blame.

[XnWarden]

OP here, The shop did do more than bleed the system, they actually took the transmission off to try and figure out why something was grinding in the transmission. I had also driven it home from the shop with no issues. My dad is more inclined to believe the master cylinder is to blame.

Hows the pedal feel?

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[pbonsalb]

Not a big deal to change the master just awkward position and a little messy.

[DerStig]

The pedal only started to engage the clutch the last inch or so of travel, so shifting took several seconds.

[pbonsalb]

If it did work perfectly and then stopped working perfectly you probably should look at the hydraulics, and it seems there is only one part left. It’s unlikely the fork bent or pivot pin broke to limit movement.

[XnWarden]

The pedal only started to engage the clutch the last inch or so of travel, so shifting took several seconds.

Last inch from the floor? Or last inch from the top

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[spyderg0d]

if the car even drives then it's probably not the disc in backwards. usually if it is backwards it locks up the clutch completely and the pedal will never release it free from grip. I vote. a slave, master, or not bleed good. I lean torwards master.