Calling all E36 Driveshaft gurus.

[driver868]

Hello Everyone,
Currently in the midst of converting my 1996 328i from auto to E46 M3 6Speed untill I ran into a bit of a predicament. Basically my original driveshaft doesnt match the output flange on the 6speed. According to UUC, an auto driveshaft is needed to do the swap, so since my car was originally an auto, mine should have worked.

Wondering where i goofed. Check my info and understanding and lmk if you have any ideas.

-328 and M3 driveshaft are same.
-Auto Vs Manual Driveshaft are different lengths, but only because of the front half. Rear half is same throughout.
-E36 M3 and E46 M3 Guibos are same.
-E36 M3 guibo is an upgrade to a non M car due to the increase in "beefy-ness".

My driveshaft end is too small to mate up to the E46 M3 guibo. I was attempting to swap the two trans output shafts but the E46 M3 output shaft uses a huge 36mm nut. My 36mm snap on impact socket was not able to fit, due to the thick wall. I will try tmrw and ill post my results.

If anyone has any ideas on my senario, please let me know. Thanks

-Erik

[tofunin]

You're supposed to loosen the driveshaft midsection collar a few turn to extend the front half about a 1/2" IIRC. Otherwise call around driveshaft shops to ask if they will make a BMW driveshaft which not a lot do or you can attempt to find a Euro M3 EVO 6 speed driveshaft or order a driveshaft shop 1 piece.

[TostitoBandito]

I know some people here have obtained custom built drive shafts specifically for this application. I think http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...0html/BMW.html can probably build this for you for $400-500.

[driver868]

Many people have run the E46 M3 trans with the auto e36 driveshaft with no issue. So i want to avoid the downtime of a custom driveshaft.

When I stated that 328i and M3 driveshafts are the same, I shouldve said MANUAL 328 and M3 ds are the same. Both use the same ZF trans.

Auto M3 and Manual M3 guibos have different part numbers but im not if the trans output shaft are the same.

Also, I dont think that the trans output flange on an auto 328 and auto M3 are same. the 328 uses a 4speed GM auto where the M3 uses a 5speed (made by zf i think)

So maybe I need to use a Auto M3 driveshaft? In that case though, would that mate up to a Manual E36 guibo?

Im a bit confused and fustrated here. If you have any insight, id greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[Braymond141]

I wouldn't really call the auto driveshaft a success. There is very little engagement of the halves with the 6-speed transmission. To do this properly you need to get the 4-bolt lengthened or use a Euro driveshaft converting to a 6-bolt diff input flange. I subscribe to the latter method.

Your questions are easily answered using realoem.

The auto driveshafts are not the same with the 328 and the M3, so... get the M3 driveshaft.

Part 26112228212 was found on the following E36 vehicles:

3' E36, M3, Convertible, S52, AUTO, USA, (BK03) : Drive shaft (swivel joint)
3' E36, M3, Convertible, S52, MANUAL, USA, (BK93) : Drive shaft (swivel joint)
3' E36, M3, Coupe, S50, AUTO, USA, (BF03) : Drive shaft (swivel joint)
3' E36, M3, Coupe, S50, MANUAL, USA, (BF93) : Drive shaft (swivel joint)
3' E36, M3, Sedan, S52, AUTO, USA, (CD03) : Drive shaft (swivel joint)
3' E36, M3, Sedan, S52, MANUAL, USA, (CD93) : Drive shaft (swivel joint)

It's giubo, not guibo. Pronounced "jew-boh".

328 Auto giubo mounting is 78mm D
M3 giubo mounting is 96mm D

Searching the M3 giubo, you will see that it applies to the 6MT Euro M3 and E46 M3 (same gearbox for both).

Part 26112226527 was found on the following vehicles:

3' E36   (01/1992 — 08/1999)
3' E46   (07/1999 — 08/2006)
5' E34   (04/1988 — 08/1995)
Z3 E36   (04/1996 — 05/2002)
Z4 E85   (11/2004 — 08/2008)
Z4 E86   (10/2005 — 08/2008)

The auto (26112226842) M3 and manual giubo (26112226527) is different in thickness. The auto should be thinner due to the lower power requirements and maybe shock absorption being less needed with the auto. The bolt pattern is still the same.

Here are some details on the 6-bolt driveshafts (no 4-bolt stuff shown).

[Kart Racer]

to the OP - we did a 6 speed swap in one of our 95"s. I believe it is one of the top 5 best mods ever. the info from braymond141 is great. We had a local driveshaft shop lengthen and balance the m3 auto front section for a very solid spline connection. can't remember exactly 1.5" or 1 7/8th's. If u need to know i can dig up the paperwork. For lengthening, balancing the complete DS including new u-joint and center support install it was $377. It gets tricky if u use a LWFW to get the right clamping force. The thickness on your clutch disc is important if you piece it together instead of buying the kit from UUC. Could never get the grip force and FX LTFWs to function properly with any combination.

[iceman2007]

Hello Kart Racer,
i just got gs6-37bz 6 speed and trying to piece together all necessary components. My current car is 92 325is with stock getrag 250 that is coming out and getting replaced with e46 330i 6 speed. I have e46 flywheel, clutch assembly and looking to reuse original e36 slave cylinder. My understanding is that there should be no issue with stock starter either.
Three components I need to resolve are:
1) transmission mount (I did get original e46 mount but my understanding is that because gs6-37bz is longer my original cross mount will not work
2) I did get e46 shift carrier assembly but I’m sure it will need some modifications to work on my E36.
3) I don’t have driveshaft (front section). My understanding is that my current driveshaft will not work because of bolt pattern and length, not sure if sourced from other models to fit output flange of gs6-37bz if size and number of splines will work with center bearing after of course it is shortened or modified to fit the length.

Could you please assist me with getting those items figured out? Our getrag 250 is on its last leg and I would not want to dismantle old transmission until I have everything that’s needed to complete the install of new replacement.

thank you!

[blckstrm]

Hello Kart Racer,
i just got gs6-37bz 6 speed and trying to piece together all necessary components. My current car is 92 325is with stock getrag 250 that is coming out and getting replaced with e46 330i 6 speed. I have e46 flywheel, clutch assembly and looking to reuse original e36 slave cylinder. My understanding is that there should be no issue with stock starter either.
Three components I need to resolve are:
1) transmission mount (I did get original e46 mount but my understanding is that because gs6-37bz is longer my original cross mount will not work
2) I did get e46 shift carrier assembly but I’m sure it will need some modifications to work on my E36.
3) I don’t have driveshaft (front section). My understanding is that my current driveshaft will not work because of bolt pattern and length, not sure if sourced from other models to fit output flange of gs6-37bz if size and number of splines will work with center bearing after of course it is shortened or modified to fit the length.


Could you please assist me with getting those items figured out? Our getrag 250 is on its last leg and I would not want to dismantle old transmission until I have everything that’s needed to complete the install of new replacement.


thank you!

I'm in the middle of this as well.


You can get the front section of a Z4 (e85 or E86) manual driveshaft - this is supposed to work better than the auto front section. 7514468 is the number on it - I'm sure you can find the whole, complete number on real oem. I've been told it's a better fit, but I received the wrong clutch and won't know the actual measurements until tomorrow night or Friday. But I'll report back.

20210519_224258.jpg

The lever support / shifter carrier will DEFINITELY need to be shortened. As will the selector rod, and bent, too, in order to clear the giubo and the flanges on the driveshaft. Also, I'll know more tomorrow, but an SSK lever will probably not fit. I have a rogue shifter which is adjustable. I'll report back on that fitment, too.

20210519_223744.jpg
20210519_223808.jpg

I got a modified transmission cross member - the bolt holes just reamed out a bit. Note that it will also need to be bolted in the rear position (the chassis has a front, middle, and rear pair of mounting holes for the trans cross member).

20210519_225711.jpg

[blkmz3]

I just bought reman driveshaft from driveshaftspecialist. It comes balanced and with the CSB.
http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...0html/BMW.html

I have an auto. The u joint at the diff had a lot of play on mine. After 45mph, the whole underside was vibrating like crazy.

[GetfullLockRick]

Any word on the z4 drive shaft working? I’ve been workin on doin the swap for some months now since my getrag blew. Haven’t had time to work on it since I work so much but really want to finish it and looking for the drive shaft as that’s the last piece I need. So any luck on the z4 front half? I was thinking the same thing but can’t find anyone who has actually fitted it on yet

[blckstrm]

Any word on the z4 drive shaft working? I’ve been workin on doin the swap for some months now since my getrag blew. Haven’t had time to work on it since I work so much but really want to finish it and looking for the drive shaft as that’s the last piece I need. So any luck on the z4 front half? I was thinking the same thing but can’t find anyone who has actually fitted it on yet

Oh yeah, it fits great. Perfect.

I've been a little slow - just started a new job.

Here's a picture of the fitment: pretty much looks like full, perfect engagement to me (while not being too much).

image.jpg

I am super happy with it.