Hi folks. As you can tell from my avatar I have three pedals. The 6 speed swap has been completed for two or three years. Every part was new or used original BMW except the drive shaft. I had mine cut and balanced. I have since (as of yesterday) replaced my cut and balanced drive shaft with a new OEM shaft and it fit perfectly. This also validates, at least in my mind, that the swap was done correctly. The only difference that I can figure between my swap and an OEM built six speed is the fact that I do not need to depress the clutch to start the car. I think I could have installed that switch as well, but going back to every other stick shift car I have owned there never was a need to depress the clutch in order to start the car. So why start now?
If anyone is thinking of performing the six speed swap I have your drive shaft in the box and ready to ship.
Did you notice any difference between yours and the OEM shaft? How much? Ship to OC?
Current
95 e31 840 Ci (Auto) Orient Blue 61k
11 e90 328i Space Gray
18 F15 X5 35i XDrive White
Past
00 e38 740 i (Auto) Titanium Silver
94 e31 840 Ci (6 speed conv.) Avus Blau (This car was Awesome!)
03 e46 325 Ci (Auto) Jet Black
91 e31 850i (Auto) Diamond Black, Yes, two!
91 e31 850i (Auto) Diamond Black
00 e39 528i (Auto) Jet Black
92 e36 325i (Auto) Laguna Green
Shipping to Tucson might be closer! Plus Rick's driveshaft was cut to fit a green 840ci, not a blue one! Lol
Hey just kidding Mark, since we're all current or former 840 6 speed owners here
Where did you get your driveshaft Rick? Schmiedmann? That's where I was planning to get one from. But not so sure I can stomach the thought of conversion anymore, with 5 other BMWs to feed, there's just too many other projects!
Joe, your zoo doesn't seem to be getting any smaller. But I think 6 speeds were born to be blue!
Current
95 e31 840 Ci (Auto) Orient Blue 61k
11 e90 328i Space Gray
18 F15 X5 35i XDrive White
Past
00 e38 740 i (Auto) Titanium Silver
94 e31 840 Ci (6 speed conv.) Avus Blau (This car was Awesome!)
03 e46 325 Ci (Auto) Jet Black
91 e31 850i (Auto) Diamond Black, Yes, two!
91 e31 850i (Auto) Diamond Black
00 e39 528i (Auto) Jet Black
92 e36 325i (Auto) Laguna Green
Haha, Rick might disagree with you there! And yes the zoo is being over'run by greenies!
BTW the part number is 26101227880, looking for the 1418mm driveshaft. It is unique to the 840i (not Ci, although we don't make that distinction here in the USA market). RealOEM says it was used on some autos too, but not sure what transmissiond those 840s would have.
Last edited by Chamberlin; 04-19-2019 at 10:44 PM.
Well Mr. Davidof, thank you for that bit of information. I guess my 840 is up to date then.
Are you still selling your drive shaft? Im currently in the middle of my swap and I the shop nearby me said they dont think they can lengthen my because the u-joint is bad. I could order another automatic driveshaft but at that point I could order a manual (I think) from germany.
A question for someone who might know the answer to this: should a reputable shop be able to lengthnen these deiveshafts and replace the u-joint with a servicable u-joint?
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These are your options on the U-Joint.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...nt-Replacement
Any shop can make them shorter or longer. Just need the right size shaft after that is is cut and weld
Thanks rjjablo, I'll look into it.
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www.driveshaftpro.com
buy a new one...
you will have to tell them exactly what you need though, as manual 840's did not ship over here
'91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
'91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
'91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
'90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
'94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
'96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
...and a few other non BMW cars
Spoke to the owner of the driveshaft shop, he's been doing this for 35 years so I have confidence in his work. Now he said that I can find a driveshaft to use as a donor from a 7 series, but since the drivetrain is shared with a 5 series as well, can I use either? And would it matter if its a e34/e39 540 or a e32/e38 740 or 750?
DiveshaftPro is part of a Nationwide operation... ask them if there is a Bay Area affilliate, or just let them ship it - they ship Nationwide too.
Reason i suggest them is that:
A: A Brand New driveshaft from them is only about ~$600+/- > a "rebuild/modify" will be more.
B: The new ones from them have SERVICEABLE U-Joints (Spicer), factory does not.
C: Betcha they get it to you faster
I've bought 1/2 dozen driveshafts from these guys and they have always been amazing.
'91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
'91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
'91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
'90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
'94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
'96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
...and a few other non BMW cars
Hey Cartoonz, thanks for the solid input, I like that it can be repairable. What length should I give them when I call? I measured and found that the front half shaft should be 6 inches longer. If you squish all the ends, then it needs 6 1/8 inches. If you stretch the shaft, then it needs 5 7/8 inches. This is all movement from the cv joint towards the differential, so at rest (center) it needs 6 inches from the back of the transmission to the guibo on the driveshaft.
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