S50 Drivetrain: Driveshaft question

[rbartongrimley]

I am getting ready to do my swap, and I am using the entire power train out of a 95 M3 (meaning I am using the s50 engine and ZF transmission). I am contemplating what my drive shaft configuration will be. I know what the typical combination's are, but I want to know what people have used on this specific engine/transmission set up. Thanks!

[Yeee30]

-S5X
-zf tranny
-e36m3 driveshaft

[nrubenstein]

You need the 328i or OBD-II M3 driveshaft. As you've probably noted, the '95 driveshaft has a CV joint, while the later ones are u-jointed.

[rbartongrimley]

-S5X
-zf tranny
-e36m3 driveshaft

That is specifically what you used?

You need the 328i or OBD-II M3 driveshaft. As you've probably noted, the '95 driveshaft has a CV joint, while the later ones are u-jointed.

Yea, I had come to the conclusion and realized from all my reading that 96+ is needed.

[Yeee30]

That is specifically what you used?

everything i used is obdII

[rbartongrimley]

everything i used is obdII

So, I am gathering from your post that the OBD-2 drive shaft was a complete bolt up? Did you switch out the CSB?

[Yeee30]

So, I am gathering from your post that the OBD-2 drive shaft was a complete bolt up? Did you switch out the CSB?

nope i just slotted mine so i would be able to bolt it straight up. reason for me not changing it is cause it was new. next time around i'll switch it out with an e30 CSB

[nextelbuddy]

You need the 328i or OBD-II M3 driveshaft. As you've probably noted, the '95 driveshaft has a CV joint, while the later ones are u-jointed.

That is specifically what you used?



Yea, I had come to the conclusion and realized from all my reading that 96+ is needed.

USUALLY but there are a LOT of 96 M3s out there that still had the UV joint style DS. to be safe you need to find a 97+ E36 328i/M3 manual drive shaft that has the 4 bolt rear.

i could not find one ANY where unless i ordered a rebuilt one online. no salvage yard had one and they were always snatched up quickly on forums or too expensive for shipping.

i ended up just taking the rear half of my DS from my automatic E30 along with a new e30 CSB and my UV jointed 96 M3 DS to a reputable DS shop along with dimensions from the Tranny Flange WITH the GUibo bolted on to Diff Flange face and said make this work.


389 dollars later i had a completely rebuilt and balanced perfectly fitted slipyoke DS for my car thatys better than brand new.

yes it was pricey but i would have rather spent the money after 4 months of searching instead of cursing at the computer screen at other people beating me to cheap DS's on forums because they are online 24/7 hunting parts since i have a full time job and dont have time for that.


you can also use a 86-87 Large Guibo Manual Drive shaft from an e30 ETA

[SwiftE30]

You need the 328i or OBD-II M3 driveshaft. As you've probably noted, the '95 driveshaft has a CV joint, while the later ones are u-jointed.

If i have a fully intact 97 E36 M3 i can use the engine, transmission, and the driveline? How would this hookup to an e30 diff?

[xwill112x]

as long as it has the 4 bolt rear section it should just bolt right up