Which Driveshaft for s50 swap? Also, which aftermarket shifter are you using?

[damastah]

Hello guys,

I have an s50 and zf trans out of a 95 m3.

People are saying that I need 328i automatic e36 driveshaft, others are saying i need a 96+ manual driveshaft.

Who has done the same swap I have done and what driveshaft are you using? Was it a perfect fit?

My trans also doesn't have a shifter on it. I was thinking about buying an entire aftermarket shifter kit, or taking a shifter off of a 1.9 z3. Not sure yet. What aftermarket shifter kits are you using and how do you like it?

Thanks,
Josh

[FredK]

Manual E36 328i driveshaft
Manual E36 M3 FOUR BOLT driveshaft
E30 M3 driveshaft

Auto 328i does not work.

[damastah]

Okay cool. Thanks.

I was thinking about a 96-98 328i manual one. I think that's the one I'm going to get.

[ForcedFirebird]

Manual E36 328i driveshaft
Manual E36 M3 FOUR BOLT driveshaft
E30 M3 driveshaft

Auto 328i does not work.

Late eta manual drive shaft with the large giubo also works. Also not the e36 shafts need the CSB to be installed backwards.

[NotJesus]

Also running an s50/zf from a 95 car, I decided to go with the r3vshift adapter guibo, to adapt the 'small flange' on the e30 driveshaft (87 25is') to the 'large flange' on the zf trans. Was around 130- but I ended up having to grind a few mm on a few areas of the zf output flange to clear the bolts on the adapter guibo.
Thread regarding the r3vshift guibo - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=243268
The driveshaft must come from a car with the same size flange as the ZF units - 96mm (the e30 has a 78mm flange), and must have a 4 bolt main flange on the differential flange side, to match up with the e30 diff which uses a 4 bolt flange.

Manual E36 328i driveshaft
Manual E36 M3 FOUR BOLT driveshaft
E30 M3 driveshaft

Auto 328i does not work.

For the shifter linkage, I used the g260 carrier and linkage, and the e36 selector rod. The Zf has a different selector rod holder on the trans side, which requires the use of the e36 ssr, something you would have to change if you were to get a dssr.

If you need to buy an entire new linkage setup, I would recomend going with something along the lines of UUC evo3, and a matching dssr. Get the appropriate hardware to match your trans- ie all 95' m3 stuff. Youd be shocked by the difference between stock and a dssr/ short shift kit. Shifting feels so much better its crazy.

Good luck with finishing up

[agent]

I decided to go with the r3vshift adapter guibo, to adapt the 'small flange' on the e30 driveshaft (87 25is') to the 'large flange' on the zf trans.

I'd strongly recommend the correct driveshaft Fred noted above over this method.

[f4tj0n]

I'd strongly recommend the correct driveshaft Fred noted above over this method.

Do you say this because of a bad experience with the product?

[ForcedFirebird]

Do you say this because of a bad experience with the product?

I have. So has this guy...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=4455657&postcount=623

[zcenterb]

From an engineering standpoint its much smarter to have the larger driveshaft for the more powerful engine anyway, I don't know why you would go with the r3vshift adapter when you can find a used driveshaft that is compatable for roughly the same cost... you would be just introducing more stress to the system. I have no experience with the r3vshift piece however, just adding my engineering .02.

OP, I used stock e36 shift linkage in my s50/zf setup and it works perfectly. Also using AKG engine and trans mounts for what its worth. good luck.