Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: 525 auto to 3.0 6 speed

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is

    525 auto to 3.0 6 speed

    Been a busy weekend here. Finally got all the parts sourced and pulled the trigger to start the manual swap in the wagon. Going all in with a 3.0 swap along with a 6 speed.

    Motor and tranny went in without issue. Pedals in today. All is left is to wire and code. My least favorite parts. Fingers crossed we’ll be running this week.

    25FDD5CE-013F-4845-B6C1-3355F322BA32.jpegBEEE5C15-A4AE-41D6-BADA-CCE12ADEAF0F.jpeg6ED89E7B-D031-4B70-A137-DF2E19EC26EB.jpeg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Sonoma Whine Country
    Posts
    1,767
    My Cars
    E12, E12, E36, E39
    Oh man, don't do that to me. A weekend and a 2.5/3.0 swap along with a 6 speed conversion? I'm hyperventilating. I wish. Seriously, my complements and good luck with it all. And rub it in, tell me how it drives. I don't care about numbers, seat of the pants, how does it feel?
    98 328is
    02 525ita
    80 528i
    81 528ia
    and decades of owning and driving BMWs

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Virginia,USA
    Posts
    3,144
    My Cars
    528i, 525iT, M5
    +1^^

    Good job!
    Current Garage Highlights
    2003 525iT TiSilver
    2002 M5 TiSilver
    1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)

    Former Garage Highlights
    2005 X5 4.8is
    2004 325iTs (2x)
    1973 Pantera L
    1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
    1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
    1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
    1969 Road Runner 383
    1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    So far a successful swap. 3.0 runs well, trans shifts great, all the lights works.

    Buttoning up the dash and waiting in a shift boot.

    Just need to purge the cooling system and take a longer test drive. So far the 6 speed really makes the wagon scoot. Probably going to find a 2.93 rear end to stretch it out a bit more.

    8366EBEB-8CEA-4F3F-9629-F6279C9A97A7.jpegDBA395C4-4161-4B98-951E-A06B12E1054A.jpegED242D3F-9060-4452-8A2D-7FCAB317C709.jpeg914B3568-C29A-4E8F-9937-948929003E0E.jpegFC952DE5-7B91-4B74-BBD7-974E06E90CD7.jpeg

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Canton, Ohio
    Posts
    617
    My Cars
    97 528i
    Bravo man !! That's awesome !
    "two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
    '79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
    '89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
    '97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
    '03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....

    '06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
    '84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
    '99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
    "Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
    '86 528e
    2008 E70 X5 3.0


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Tavernier, Florida
    Posts
    1,793
    My Cars
    '99 2.8&Mcoupe, '03 Mini
    I'm assembling the parts for the same swap for my '01 wagon. I'm picking up a 330zhp engine on Friday, and and have a 6 speed from a Z4 already. I'll still need to source the shifter extension, 1/2 driveshaft, flywheel and clutch, and a few other small items. I have the pedal parts and a 2.93 diff, so the list is getting shorter.
    My car already has an ESS TS1 supercharger, so I need to see if I can find the laminova cores and manifold endcaps to take it up to the TS2 spec, but I might get the car together initially with the stock NA 3.0.
    You milled spacers for the stock transmission crosmember? I might try the sectioned version as Stuck did years back.
    -Donny
    Last edited by KeysCoupe; 11-20-2019 at 01:06 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    9,266
    My Cars
    03 M5/05 RR/06 Cayman S
    Quote Originally Posted by KeysCoupe View Post
    I'm assembling the parts for the same swap for my '01 wagon. I'm picking up a 330zhp engine on Friday, and and have a 6 speed from a Z4 already. I'll still need to source the shifter extension, 1/2 driveshaft, flywheel and clutch, and a few other small items. I have the pedal parts and a 2.93 diff, so the list is getting shorter.
    My car already has an ESS TS1 supercharger, so I need to see if I can find the laminova cores and manifold endcaps to take it up to the TS2 spec, but I might get the car together initially with the stock NA 3.0.
    You milled spacers for the stock transmission crosmember? I might try the sectioned version as Stuck did years back.
    -Donny
    Why would you want a 2.93 diff? That's going to be pretty tall for a 3.0 and 6-speed. I have a 3.15 in mine with the M3 6-speed and even it feels too tall. Would love a 3.62, but probably selling the car soon, so not much use in changing it now.

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    9,049
    My Cars
    ‘01 540’00 528T’03 525T
    With a 2.93, will that even pull on 6th?
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Virginia,USA
    Posts
    3,144
    My Cars
    528i, 525iT, M5
    Going for top speed runs!
    Will run out of horse power to push it through the air long before running out of RPMs
    he may have meant 3.92
    Current Garage Highlights
    2003 525iT TiSilver
    2002 M5 TiSilver
    1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)

    Former Garage Highlights
    2005 X5 4.8is
    2004 325iTs (2x)
    1973 Pantera L
    1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
    1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
    1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
    1969 Road Runner 383
    1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    At 75 mph its pushing 3k on the tach, I’d like to bring this down some. I can swap it back if it isn’t happy. Picked up a dif yesterday.

    Trying to fix a few issues, got an abs issue after the swap, open circuit to front right sensor. Maybe damaged a wire.

    Also pasoft won’t let me code anything right now, and the abs is still looking for the transmission ecu.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    Wheel sensor not damaged. Abs brain getting canbus error looking for tranny computer.

    Fixed everything else. New head cover gasket stopped oil leaks. Even put a shine on it.

    61F97AB4-9FA0-468D-B797-5C91DA2E979D.jpg

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    5,660
    My Cars
    2005 M3 & 2004 330i
    Quote Originally Posted by blackknight530i View Post
    Why would you want a 2.93 diff? That's going to be pretty tall for a 3.0 and 6-speed. I have a 3.15 in mine with the M3 6-speed and even it feels too tall. Would love a 3.62, but probably selling the car soon, so not much use in changing it now.
    Same ratio as E46 330 6 speed and E60 530. Keeps cruising revs nice and low.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    Learn something new every day.

    Had to update the SA and GM codes to manual for the DSC module. All cleared up now.

    Yes the 2.93 is the same ratio as in the e60 manual

    Nice clear dash now. Woot

    C748436E-E72E-40FF-A202-FE0C3571C20E.jpeg.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    Got the 2.93 in Wednesday. Had to move the input flange between dif’s as the manual had a different size of course.

    Ran around town today, runs pretty well. Oil smell gone thanks to the new cover gasket.

    Shifting to third is a little notchy. May just need some use as it sat with no fluid for a few months. Used the redline yellow bottle that fcp recomended. Hopefully its the right stuff.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    First commute to work this morning with the new setup. Certainly has now lack of power compared to the old 2.5.

    Entrance ramp to the highway was in 4th gear with plenty of torque. Traffic was brisk and keeping up was no issue, she was at 3k and 88 mph, smooth as glass.

    2nd and 3rd still a little notchy for me, needs more time on it.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    262
    My Cars
    '99 E39 M5T
    Kudos!!! I'm guessing the swap will work in a 528 also? Im curious, as id like to do the swap if i can. I already have a 5 speed. Just picked up a 4.10 diff the other day. Thinking a 6 speed swap would do it justice. What all is needed for the swap?

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    02 525it, 97 318is
    Quote Originally Posted by Wagon727 View Post
    Kudos!!! I'm guessing the swap will work in a 528 also? Im curious, as id like to do the swap if i can. I already have a 5 speed. Just picked up a 4.10 diff the other day. Thinking a 6 speed swap would do it justice. What all is needed for the swap?
    That should work, just have to use the right flywheel and clutch setup for the 6 speed.

    The 4:10 will make the motor scream. First gear probably useless except for squealing tires. The 3.46 auto dif really makes it scoot around town. I used the 2.93 for the highway.

    Look up Stück’s conversion thread for all the details.
    Last edited by jhelgesen; 12-06-2019 at 04:31 PM.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    9,049
    My Cars
    ‘01 540’00 528T’03 525T
    4.10! You’re gonna loose top end, and yeah, 1st year will be useless, 70mph will be around 3700 rpm, wouldn’t be surprised if it almost hits 4.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  20. #20
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    262
    My Cars
    '99 E39 M5T
    I dint take it over 60... 65 tops

Similar Threads

  1. FS: 2001 525 Auto Transmission
    By BigPapa in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-08-2005, 01:15 AM
  2. WTB 95 525 auto trans
    By motorsportinc in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-25-2005, 12:40 PM
  3. auto not downshifting at slow speeds
    By jkh2828 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-20-2005, 10:15 PM
  4. Auto M3 to Z4 6-speed
    By BMW///M3sdn in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-28-2003, 02:39 AM
  5. E34 1989 525 auto. Parting Out
    By mihai77 in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-06-2003, 11:15 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •