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Thread: Donor Car for M3 5 Speed Swap

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Donor Car for M3 5 Speed Swap

    This has probably been covered, but I have been searching most of the day and can't find the info.

    Is there a list of suggested cars to use or not to use besides M3's that I could purchase that would have most all if not all of the parts needed for a 5 spd swap?

    Swapping into 97 M3 sedan.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
    Mark..

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
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    Texas
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    1997 M3/4/A
    E36 328 manual, but you will need to buy new clutch kit for your M

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    1999 M3
    Is it worth getting a whole donor car? Maybe if you have the room and time. Some of the most expensive pieces you probably want to get new (clutch, flywheel - you could update to lightweight cylinders, master and slave)

    You can find a transmission from any 328 manual (the ZF 320) for around $200 at local junk yards.
    Pedal box for less than half that, then brand new clutch and lines.

  4. #4
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    My thinking on the donor is so I know I have all parts needed. Then I can part what is left and get most of my money back. E36's with the same kinda miles as mine can be had for around a grand, sometimes less. I will buy some stuff new (clutch, lines etc.). I have been through these kind of projects before, and you always spend more time looking for the small stuff or trying to figure out what goes where, always easier to have another car sitting right there to walk over and look at.


    Mark.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    e90 M3,X5,e46 racer
    Quote Originally Posted by brokeazz View Post
    E36 328 manual, but you will need to buy new clutch kit for your M
    Not at all ... you can run the non M parts just fine.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by ScotcH View Post
    Not at all ... you can run the non M parts just fine.
    Yes you can but why would you want to do that?

  7. #7
    RRSperry's Avatar
    RRSperry is offline Senior Moment Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
    Join Date
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    Also don't be a schmuck, buy a new throwout bearing, and pivot pin, and probably the throw out arm. Basically replace everything inside the bell housing.

    I'd also replace the shift coupler, selector rod bushings, buy a few bitch clips, and new shifter carrier bushing. (where the pointy end of the carrier attaches to the body.)

    All those parts are pretty cheap, and total pain in the ass to replace with the trans installed.

    Since you are thinking of installing a 320, really consider doing the detent pins. (if you find a 310 from a 95, there seems to be no need as that doesn't seem to be an issiue with the 310.)
    No matter where you go, there you are...

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