Driveshaft for conversion - E36 328i or E30 325e??

[SeenanAlam0506]

Hi All,

Seems to be a lack of the manual driveshafts here in Canada - I have an e30 with the M52 conversion and the ZF 328i geabox but the driveshaft I originally sourced is incorrect. The triangular flange for the gearbox end is too small - 2 ⅝” (66.6mm) but the one I need is 3 ¼" (82.5mm).

Any chance anyone has something that would work?

Thanks!
Seenan

[reelizmpro]

You have several options. You could change the flange on the trans, find an E36 or 86-87 325e large flange driveshaft or use a flange adapter.

[82eye]

all the answers are above. most guys up here change the trans flange or use an adapter if they get a driveshaft that fits. it's harder to source a complete bolt in up here that won't need the trans flange changed or an adapter.

[SeenanAlam0506]

Thanks for the ideas! - yeah I have been searching everywhere and the lack of manual bmw's in Canada is making it hard. There were many more in the UK but I am referring to a few years ago when the e36's were more readily available. I looked at the flange adaptor but the issue is that there is also a male steel post which sticks off the mating face of the transmission flange that is too large to go inside the hole at the front of the driveshaft. The adapters do not change the diameter of this hole . Another issue with my current shaft is that it uses M12 Bolts and not M10 bolts. Most of the adapters are designed to adapt M10 to M12 and not M12 to M12. Any ideas on where to get a part to change the transmission flange? Do I need to find a smaller getrag transmission and take it off that? So maybe I need to buy another donor gearbox?

[SeenanAlam0506]

Wow, lots of scam PM's from this post. All of a sudden there are loads of driveshafts on the other side of the country and people are desperate to ship them to me...haha

[SeenanAlam0506]

all the answers are above. most guys up here change the trans flange or use an adapter if they get a driveshaft that fits. it's harder to source a complete bolt in up here that won't need the trans flange changed or an adapter.

to take the transmission flange off and change it would need to separate the transmission from the engine right? Or can it be done whilst still connected up?

[Panici]

A driveshaft from a manual E36 328i will work.
You will need to change out the CSB to an E30 style (note early / late E30 are different as well)

Make sure to get direction correct and mark both halves of the driveshaft when you split it apart.

I've done this with both a stock M52/ZF320 driveshaft, and currently an E36 HDT Automotive Upgraded Driveshaft w/1310 Spicer U-Joints.

EDIT: Looks like HDT Automotive is making driveshafts for E30 engine swaps now, which was not the case when I ordered mine. Might be worth reaching out to him, might have a brand-new bolt on solution for you.

EDIT2: Make sure you check the u-joints on a used driveshaft before you buy. I went with the HDT unit not only as an upgrade, but because the u-joints from my used E36 shaft were notchy (and non-servicable).

[82eye]

to take the transmission flange off and change it would need to separate the transmission from the engine right? Or can it be done whilst still connected up?

it can be harder with the trans out. Trans Output Flange Swap - R3VLimited Forums