Transmission Recommendation

[aeryk7]

My recommendation is if you are going to use an e36 transmission just use a ZF from a 328 or M3


Let me say that i have drove my swapped car for a year now and previously had done a head job due to a leaky headgasket from previous testing on the cooling sytem. I have i have an 80k mile s50 so i gave her a hardcore valve job new seals had the head shaved to minimum spec and still used the thinner oem gasket and the engine is more powerful than ever. I take her out for 2 weeks and the the transmission exploded its done cars been down for awhile now so it sucks

So here it is i recommend that if you are going to do a e36 transmission use the ZF from a 328 or M3 it is that simple save yourself some trouble.

[asubimmer]

just keep your getrag 240, it should work fine. I killed mine in about a month but it did have ~300k on the tranny. I just put in another one off a lower mile 318. I am using the m20 single mass flywheel, m20 starter, euro 323 TOB and the IE/clutchnet sprung 6 puck clutch.

But if you use the 240 then you need an e36 driveshaft and the m20 selector rod and carrier.

[matt]

I disagree. There is nothing wrong with the Getrag 250 G.

Frankly, YOU braking YOURS does not mean there is a problem with the transmission. That takes a pattern of failures.

I can point to plenty of getrags that lasted thousands of miles behind S52s and turbo motors of all shape and size. In general, under normal use, they last very well.

[asubimmer]

I disagree. There is nothing wrong with the Getrag 250 G.

Frankly, YOU braking YOURS does not mean there is a problem with the transmission. That takes a pattern of failures.

I can point to plenty of getrags that lasted thousands of miles behind S52s and turbo motors of all shape and size. In general, under normal use, they last very well.

huh? It appears you are dissagreeing w/ me and pointing out things I said, thus agreeing w/ me

He has a 318 w/ a getrag 240. So why spend the $ for another tranny? Thats my point. My tranny failed cause the roller and ball bearing went out and were flying around inside the tranny. Only one of the teeth had a chip out of it. 1st gear did look pretty nasty though, the one w/ the chip out of it.

[matt]

His post sounds like he has an e36 Getrag 250G, not an e30 318is getrag 240.

I was not addressing your post at all. I should have quoted him.

[asubimmer]

gotcha, the reason I said something about the 240 was because his profile says E30: 318is....S50

[aeryk7]

I did infact have a getrag 250 .

If you drive a car hard every day around every corner than i wouldnt recommend using the 250 . My friend had a turbo e36 325 making 350rwhp and guess what his tranny went to. The point of this story is save yourself some work down the road , if you can afford a ZF buy it . Changing the transmission is not very fun in an e30 with my setup . You can baby any transmission and make it last but i drive hard non stop .

I can point to plenty of getrags that lasted thousands of miles behind S52s and turbo motors of all shape and size. In general, under normal use, they last very well.

I dont DRIVE NORMAL so your statement would not apply , normal use of a car is a statement for old guys in buicks.

This is just a recommendation and is only my advice..... but seriously I have not heard of any ZF's going out on full bolt on 328s or M3's

[matt]

We have a half dozen busted e36 trannies laying around the shop, half and half ZF vs Getrag. I would say the ZF is probably a bit more robust, but there is definitely no call to warn anyone against using the Getrag, especially on a stockish M50.

[aeryk7]

Cliff notes : If your are doing an s50 or s52 swap and can afford the ZF buy it. If you like to drive hard buy the ZF to save time in the future. If you drive like like a grandma it doesnt matter which transmission you use and you shouldnt be reading this thread cause it doesnt apply

[SpecM]

-What about the get260 from a e30 m20 car?

[matt]

Cliff notes : If your are doing an s50 or s52 swap and can afford the ZF buy it. If you like to drive stupid buy the ZF to save time in the future. If you drive like like a grandma it doesnt matter which transmission you use and you shouldnt be reading this thread cause it doesnt apply

Fixed that.

PS: Let us know how long your ZF lasts.

[BeirBrennerE30]

My recomendation.... getrag s6s-420g... aka e46m3 6speed. That bastid will never blow up and internaly is the same as the 6 speed supra box that handels over 1000hp

[aeryk7]

I dont have experience with the getrag260 failing on me but have seen them go out and be replaced many times on e30's. A common thing ive seen on those trannys are losing 2nd or 3rd gear having it pop out of those gears or getting stuck in a gear.

[aeryk7]

I have had many e36 m3's and never had a problem with a zf and i drove them just as hard as i drive the red dragon plus my e30 weighs like 800lbs less so there is less stress on the driveline the zf should be more than fine.

[So Live]

Ive heard of problems with the getrag250 too. A friend of mine before i started getting parts for my swap told me stories of him "breaking a few of them" He uses the ZF in all his swap cars and most of his e36's too. He convinces me to buy the ZF just because i plan on more hp than a stock n/v m50.

And the cost issue. SHOP AROUND i got my ZF trans for $350!!!!!!! Granted i drove an hour for it but its worth it to me. car-part.com is your friend