The Official Auto-to-Manual Transmission Swap Thread

[johnnybayonne]

After 4 years of mods, upgrades, & meets...kinda of ran out of things to do, also got tired of hearing that my car was perfect except for 1 thing...yeah you guessed it...It's Automatic!
This past winter my wife's cousin & his girlfriend from Germany visited. His 24 year old platinum blonde, blue eyed girlfriend told me... driving an Automatic is like drinking Corona Light!

I have been wanting to do this for the last 3 years anyway, but was too afraid to attempt it,
especially with the worries of the check engine light, cruise control & fund-age!
I did my homework & researched it the last 2 years, with help of the Bimmerforums (The Official Auto-to-Manual Transmission Swap Thread) & various links, I purchased a donor car, then dove right in!

So, after I successfully completed the swap in the Spring of 2012, I decided to share my experience & help some fellow BMW enthusiast if they ever decide to do this.

Here is the link to my website:

http://mye36project5spdswap.weebly.com/index.html

Hope it helps all you fellow E36 owner's!

good luck,

Johnny

[flyfishvt]

DAMN THIS THING IS QUICK!!!!!

Finally got it finished and took it for a test drive tonight. Compared to my 325 5 speed this 328 is an M3. Even with it being a vert it is just sooo much quicker to redline. I still have to button things up inside but the outside is done. After 3 long, greasy, dirty weeks I have the car I always wanted. I replaced all the rear bushings while I had things apart and what a difference. Its so much tighter. I did a little slolam course thing at 50mph tonight and it stuck to the road like glue. No body roll at all.

I got a chance to try out my CC wiring and it worked flawlessly on the brake pedal and clutch. The only issue is the way I did it I can still start the car when its in gear. Of course that's the way it was from the factory so I'm used to it. But I get to keep my OEM clutch switch instead of using the brake switch.

This car ROCKS!!!!

[johnnybayonne]

DAMN THIS THING IS QUICK!!!!!

Finally got it finished and took it for a test drive tonight. Compared to my 325 5 speed this 328 is an M3. Even with it being a vert it is just sooo much quicker to redline. I still have to button things up inside but the outside is done. After 3 long, greasy, dirty weeks I have the car I always wanted. I replaced all the rear bushings while I had things apart and what a difference. Its so much tighter. I did a little slolam course thing at 50mph tonight and it stuck to the road like glue. No body roll at all.

I got a chance to try out my CC wiring and it worked flawlessly on the brake pedal and clutch. The only issue is the way I did it I can still start the car when its in gear. Of course that's the way it was from the factory so I'm used to it. But I get to keep my OEM clutch switch instead of using the brake switch.

This car ROCKS!!!!

Great news... Definitely well worth it! So glad I did it, pat yourself on the back, I did...we cheated the system! All said & done, after I did the math, I spent $1,531.41 total on my swap!

johnny

[flyfishvt]

I didn't keep exact numbers but after I bought the parts car and sold all those extra parts off it I probably spent less than $200 just on the swap. I did a lot more than just a swap though. I replaced my stock muffler with an M3, redid all the bushing in the rear end, had my injectors all rebuilt, strut tower reinforcement plates, I went with an LSD instead of an open dif. And a few other things. I still have a lot of parts to sell so I shoud break even on the whole swap and bushing refresh.

[johnnybayonne]

I didn't keep exact numbers but after I bought the parts car and sold all those extra parts off it I probably spent less than $200 just on the swap. I did a lot more than just a swap though. I replaced my stock muffler with an M3, redid all the bushing in the rear end, had my injectors all rebuilt, strut tower reinforcement plates, I went with an LSD instead of an open dif. And a few other things. I still have a lot of parts to sell so I shoud break even on the whole swap and bushing refresh.

That is great...finding a parts car for the swap & to have other parts to sell, is a diamond in the rough! I tried to find a donor like that, but either the asking price of the car was too much or the car was garbage with too many miles!
What ratio LSD did you end up with? I just saw one for sale, 3,23 LSD asking $350

John

[flyfishvt]

I found a 315 LSD for $250

[johnnybayonne]

I found a 315 LSD for $250

Nice! Thanks...maybe I will my replace my 2,93 next year, it will be easier enough!

johnny

[Nazisledder328]

I have a 391 ratio limited slip out of my 328is. I am currently debating on putting it in my 325i after I do my 5 speed swap. Is it really worth doing it? I heard doing a m3 tranny with that rear is way more top end. If not, maybe I will hold onto it. Just picked up all my parts including m3 tranny for a little under $800. Not to shabby.

[rekster730]

Do it !!!!

[johncan]

Can somebody tell me where I can find the CEL fix?

[johnnybayonne]

Can somebody tell me where I can find the CEL fix?

Check out mbadger's post in link below:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=79886&page=81

and my DIY Guide in link below:

setup/procedures page & swap/interior/computer page

My website guide & all the links on the last page should steer you in the right direction!


http://mye36project5spdswap.weebly.c...ial-tools.html

johnny

[johncan]

Awesome. Thank you.

[Chuck Baader]

Installing a 2.5 auto motor/harness in a 95 M3 track car. Plug and play or are there electrical gremlins I need to find? Thanks, Chuck

[flyfishvt]

Check out mbadger's post in link below:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=79886&page=81

and my DIY Guide in link below:

setup/procedures page & swap/interior/computer page

My website guide & all the links on the last page should steer you in the right direction!

http://mye36project5spdswap.weebly.c...ial-tools.html

johnny

+1 this just worked for me yesterday on my 97 328. I still get the tranny warning light but no engine or abs/ASC codes

[johnnybayonne]

+1 this just worked for me yesterday on my 97 328. I still get the tranny warning light but no engine or abs/ASC codes

Great news! Unfortunately we would have to rewire the whole car to get rid of that Gear! light the correct way! But fortunately we can just remove the bulb, like it was never twisted into the cluster from the factory!


johnny

[flyfishvt]

I plan on trying a more advanced method. I'm going to use DIS to rewrite the GM number in the EWS module as soon as I get the ADS interface I just ordered. This method was mentioned in the early to middle part of this thread. Ive tried replacing just the DME with one from a 5 speed and that doesn't remove the tranny warning light. I have the matching EWS module and key chip for that 5 speed DME so this weeekend I'l try swapping all three parts in to see if the car stops looking for the auto tranny.

[Chuck Baader]

OK, great information but since I was not clear enough on my questions, here goes again.

Car:1995 M3 5 speed roller.

Motor: junk yard 325 OBD1 Automatic w/ECU and 5 speed.

Question....Is it plug and play? Thanks, Chuck

[flyfishvt]

Motor: junk yard 325 OBD1 Automatic w/ECU and 5 speed.

How can it be an automatic and a 5 speed at the same time?

Can you drop an M50 into your M3 roller? Absolutely. If the 325 orignally had an auto tranny and you're putting it into a 5 speed car you will get all the CEL's and tranny codes and maybe even an ASC code that other get.

Didn't you say it was a track car? Is it a dedicated track car that doesn't have to be registered or inspected? if that's the case then just ignore the warning lights and move on. If it needs to be registered for street use and inspected then you'll have to follow the same procedures everyone else has to get those lights to turn off.

[3B2M8Wi]

where can i buy this piece for my car i kinda destroyed mine when i removed the trans and its not on real oem or at least i cant find it there.

[flyfishvt]

where can i buy this piece for my car i kinda destroyed mine when i removed the trans and its not on real oem or at least i cant find it there.

If I can find a box big enough you can buy mine. I'll search around. If yours is just bent you can hammer it back into shape.

[3B2M8Wi]

If I can find a box big enough you can buy mine. I'll search around. If yours is just bent you can hammer it back into shape.

Well I can't really hammer it back because I forgot to take off that 10mm bolt that holds it to the auto trans and I ripped a hole in it when I was separating the trans. I would like to buy your but I have a 328i would it fit with my starter?

[johnnybayonne]

Well I can't really hammer it back because I forgot to take off that 10mm bolt that holds it to the auto trans and I ripped a hole in it when I was separating the trans. I would like to buy your but I have a 328i would it fit with my starter?

#5 in link below:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...09&hg=11&fg=10


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11141734019/

11141734019 $9.27 bmwtrademotion.com

You are better off searching for BMWTRADEMOTION in your area and picking it up, avoid shipping charges! Are you sure you can't fix it? it is just a spacer...


johnny

[flyfishvt]

Use a fender washer on the one you have. That 10 mm bolt isn't all that important.

[johnnybayonne]

Use a fender washer on the one you have. That 10 mm bolt isn't all that important.

+1 ^


johnny

[3B2M8Wi]

Thank you so much for the link! I would try and fix it but I was so pissed trying to get the trans out I kinda took out my anger in that thing because that little bolt was the only thing holding it all together. I also didn't know I had a threaded starter and I took my intake off for no reason but I have some stuff to replace under there as well so im gonna buy a new one because I am going to be waiting on parts anyway. U guys think I should replace my starter because it is so accessible or should I just leave it alone?