Driveshaft for Euro 6-spd

[Mike B.]

Does anyone know if the E30M3 driveshaft will work with the Euro 6-spd or do I have to go custom? I can't find specs for the length of the 6-spd compared to the 5-spd.

[SchnellerVert]

Sounds like some one bought the engine that was in Canada? Honest look on e30.de maybe there is a already spec drive shaft for this combo.

[Mike B.]

Not the engine, but the car came from Canada - http://www.e30tech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28055. The suspension is ready to roll and that was a big plus because I hate doing suspension work in a cold garage in the middle of winter - it sucks!

So the plan is a Euro S50B32 w/ a 6-spd. There is a shop in Chicago that imports and they have a least 3 engines available right now. I also can go pick it up and don't have to worry about shipping. It should be a really fun car when it's finished and hopefully I won't crack it up at the track like I did with the other one. :)

I parted my old swap car and sold my '71 911 to fund the project, so I'm going all out!

[Mike B.]

I was able to find some information (I love Google Translator!)

Changes at the transmission exit:

The Lochkreisdurchmesser of the joint disc of the S6S420G amounts to 96mm, the complete disk 135mm. S5D310Z or 320Z is identically, thus also 96mm/135mm. With the S5D250G is this 78mm/110mm.

If one converts from S5D250G on S6S420G, thus the joint disc does not fit any longer. The simplest solution for vehicles concerned is to procure itself the drive shaft out from 328 to.

There the drive shaft must be shortened (absolutely professionally with drive shaft farmer accomplish to let, since the drive shaft must be welded AND heaved properly) the transmissions is differently long.

I do not have the absolute absolute for the moment, but the S6S is approx. 120 to 130mm longer than the S5D250G. and approx. 100 to 110mm longer than the 310Z or 320Z. The drive shaft from a E36 328 should therefore be shortened around 105mm.

[tjhartge]

Mike,

i have some info that might be of help
When i was looking for the longshaft for my 6speed conversion, i took 3 different size and length of both front and rear shafts

the front shaft has to be large enough to fit the larger guibo, i believe ones from the original 6 speeder or the 5 speeder ZF box will do

then there was the 3 other lengths from a 318, 325 and 320
i think the rear shaft could have come from a japanese spec car, as the jatco autogearboxes are much longer than the GM or ZF auto box
i'm not sure if the rear of the 328 is usable as it may have a different mounting hardware flange for the differential,i.e. 4 bolt square flange vs the 6 bolt round flange

i could not remember which shaft was used and neither did i take any measurements , but it was a loose fit and some freeplay, between the 2 shafts after installation, but im trying to pack more grease to dampen the sounds and use heavy gear oil

you can use the original gear shift ,gear mounts and links, but it will sit about 1/2 inch upfront, but it doesnt bother me , and neither does it with other 6 speeders. you could get the longer set from 318/325 cut and weld it, but i couldnt be bothered

hope this helps

[Mike B.]

The rear section for the 328, according to RealOEM, has the 4-bolt swivel joint, as do the U.S. M3's. It seems that the Euro M3's have the 6-bolt CV joints. I'll have to get together some different sections and see what works.

There is always these guys if I can't come up with something - http://www.acpt.com/driveshaft/index.html and http://www.pstds.com/index.htm

[FredK]

What about the E36 M3 auto driveshaft? It is far shorter than a 328 driveshaft, and it just might work in terms of length. I have one in my basement that I can take a measurement of the front section. It might be too short though.

[Mike B.]

I'm not sure if the flex disc would be the correct size, but if you could take a measurement, that would be great.

[FredK]

The auto guibo is listed as LK=96MM/12 in the ETK, so I am fairly certain that it has the correct bolt circle diameter. Anyway, I'm sure putting a tape measure up to it will put any issues to rest.

[DanThe]

You need a custom shaft. Front half of E30 shaft needs to be combined with front half of the E36 shaft. Needs to be approx 500mm from end of flange to the centre of the prop bearing mounting slots.

Same if you use the E46 6spd

[FredK]

Why do you need to combine an E30 shaft with an E36 shaft? You can use an E36 driveshaft if you use an E36 transmission as long as you swap the center bearing and support to an E30 unit.

Anyway, the auto E36 M3 front shaft measures in at 17 7/8", or ~450mm. I would assume if you require 500mm, you will have around 50mm or 2 inches of exposed splined shaft, which is a bit much. The BCD on the flange is 96mm.

[DanThe]

So you can have the E30 shaft but with the larger flange.
Swapping bits means a re-ballance will be needed, for not much more a specialist will combine the 2 shafts.

Ive heard the E30 centre bearing is not compatible with the E36 shaft? Never tried it though.

No auto M3's over here im affraid,

[ian332isport]

You need a custom shaft. Front half of E30 shaft needs to be combined with front half of the E36 shaft. Needs to be approx 500mm from end of flange to the centre of the prop bearing mounting slots.

Same if you use the E46 6spd

Dan,

Mine was 512mm, and I believe Busters was within a MM or two of this.

Ian.

[DanThe]

Bit of a coincidence, I measured 510mm with the E46 6 speed.:)

[FredK]

Ive heard the E30 centre bearing is not compatible with the E36 shaft? Never tried it though.

The E30 bearing is compatible with the E36 shaft. You have to reverse the direction of the bearing and use the E36 dust caps.