Driveshaft Options - Help Wanted

[Old-Skool-Kid]

Alright, I have spent many days researching the 24v swap. Not sure where to post this, but it is relevant to the swap. I have an M50 vanos, w/e36 5 speed manual trans. My car is an 87 325is automatic. I cannot find the answer to my only question: WHAT drive shaft can I use on my car? There is like 10 different articles saying you can use 20 different driveshafts. I would like to know what my BEST option is, considering ease of installation and availability, what car it has to come out of, auto or manual drive shaft, so on. Looking for a straight answer, something preferably direct bolt on. All help is definitly appreciated! :D

[bimmerteck]

I used the driveshaft from a 1994 325is with a 5 speed for my swap. ;) I did swap out the e36 center bearing for an e30 one otherwise it was stock.

[Old-Skool-Kid]

So it can bolt directly to the E30 diff, correct?

[treff-7]

ultimately you need to use the driveshaft the engine you're swapping in came with. in your case it's out of a e36 325 manual. swap out the center support bearing to a e30 one and you are good to go. the e36 325 and e30 325 differentials have the same input flange so it bolts right on.

[Cyrix2k]

either use an early model e36 or an early eta driveshaft, assuming your transmission is the getrag 250.

[SwiftE30]

if your using the e36 transmission and the e30 diff, i would suggest using this so you can use an e30 DS.

https://www.revshift.com/shop/24v-swap-e30-bmw-flex-disc.html

its cheaper than buying a new or used DS. i have it and couldnt be happier using my OEM DS and e36 m3 ZF transmission

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=243268

[Cyrix2k]

or you can go to mcmaster car and get 10mm to 12mm sleeves. That's what I did and they fit perfectly.

[alB5]

if your using the e36 transmission and the e30 diff, i would suggest using this so you can use an e30 DS.

https://www.revshift.com/shop/24v-swap-e30-bmw-flex-disc.html

its cheaper than buying a new or used DS. i have it and couldnt be happier using my OEM DS and e36 m3 ZF transmission

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=243268

weak. not available for 4 cyl models -_-

[Old-Skool-Kid]

ultimately you need to use the driveshaft the engine you're swapping in came with. in your case it's out of a e36 325 manual. swap out the center support bearing to a e30 one and you are good to go. the e36 325 and e30 325 differentials have the same input flange so it bolts right on.

Awesome. This is exactly what I needed to know :D And thanks everyone for the info

[yyi]

ultimately you need to use the driveshaft the engine you're swapping in came with. in your case it's out of a e36 325 manual. swap out the center support bearing to a e30 one and you are good to go. the e36 325 and e30 325 differentials have the same input flange so it bolts right on.

Does this apply for the front portion of the drive shaft or both? Also, what if I am retaining the GR260 from the e30 instead of GR250, do I still need the driveshaft from the e36?

[treff-7]

Does this apply for the front portion of the drive shaft or both? Also, what if I am retaining the GR260 from the e30 instead of GR250, do I still need the driveshaft from the e36?

Both. You need the whole shaft. The only thing is the center support bearing that you need to change to the e30 one and put it on backwards! If you put it on forward (the way it's installed on a e30 driveshaft) your driveshaft won't be straight and the joint will worn out quicker.
If you keep the e30 transmission you can use the e30 driveshaft with it. The reason for this mix and match is the output flange on the transmission. You need a DS that has the same size flange. IIRC the smallest one is the e30 one, then comes the e36 325 getrag and the early e30 325e and the biggest is the e36 328 and m3 ZF. Also the 328 and m3 came with 4 bolt joint on the rear end of the DS and with 6 bolt CV joint. You need the 4 bolt one to be able to bolt it on the e30 differential.

[Roysneon]

Use the driveshaft that matches your transmission.