Looking for a little guidance.

[kesslerbmw]

Im pretty new here, and relatively new to e30. I've had a handfull of e34's over the past few years and been around all types of cars all my life. I grew up helping a neighbor run his Pro-Mod drag car, and build motorcycle in my free time..

Just to get that part out of the way...


I've got a 91 325i I picked up and I am planning to put an M50 non vanos out of one of my old e34's in it.

I've got a lead on a 91 318 5 speed parts car locally that is CHEAP.. I have been told that trans, and drive shaft will work for me. Can someone confirm that for me?

I've got the motor from the 92 e34, and my car is a 91 325.. Can someone point me in a good direction or a member to talk to about a wiring diagram?

I pretty well understand the rest of the swap and it all looks pretty straight forward, just looking for some guidance in those two directions. I really don't want to spend the money on the Tree house adapter as I am capable of doing it myself. If I can get someone's diagram I would love to have it to start my own off of.

Thanks in advance!

[smonkbmw]

not sure why youd want to use a transmission that is made to handle LESS power than the stock 325i. same for the driveshaft. is the 325 a auto?

as far as the wiring goes (youre going to get this alot) search for it, it should be in this forum somewhere.

[kesslerbmw]

not sure why youd want to use a transmission that is made to handle LESS power than the stock 325i. same for the driveshaft. is the 325 a auto?

as far as the wiring goes (youre going to get this alot) search for it, it should be in this forum somewhere.

I've searched and searched.. this place isn't all that organized, and no one has a good FAQ for this stuff.

I want to use it because I could have the whole set up for free after I sell whats left from the car.

My e30 is currently an auto which is what is holding back from using that trans. I've got two transmissions made for the M50 style motors.. One ZF and one Getrag, but I don't want to fight to find a drive shaft and not having to have one made would be nice as well. I don't plan on messing with the M50 once its in there if I go with the 318 trans either..

[FredK]

Get an E36 driveshaft.

If you have a ZF, use a 328 or M3 four bolt manual driveshaft
If you have a Getrag 250, use a 325 driveshaft

[hugh jass]

you can also use a stock e30 325i driveshaft with the Getrag 250

[btec116]

Getrag 240/260 are from E30's, use the respective tailshafts. This is a cheaper option, requires a bit of fabbing though. Not hard. If you already have a 240, I'd go with it.

ANyway, Kesslerbmw, You have alot of options. You will find a huge amount of info here, give it a while, and you'll figure out how to navigate through it all.
There is a FAQ-style thread for 24V swaps, but I forgot how to get to it (someone else?)
Anyway, its there somewhere.
One thing there hasnt been too much obvious discussion is on Getrag 240's. Yes, you can fit them, no issues in fitment to the block. However, they run slightly different ratios, and a different size bellhousing. Also there are a few changes between single and twin-cam blocks you need to know about. Again you can find all these. There is argument on torque-loading of the G240's designed for a 4-banger, being used with a six. IMO, unless you're doubling or tripling the torque (with some pretty seroius motorwork), this shouldn't be an issue. I have not actually heard any concrete info on the difference between G240's and G260's regarding Torque. Keep that in mind though, if you go stick a hairdryer on down the line!
With electrics, this is a touchy issue! You will hear alot back on this, especially negative, if you go saying "its too hard and you guys are messy"... Its reasonable, You really shouldn't rely on other's wiring to get you through, people do get it wrong, and also cars do vary. If you say you're competent, hopefully thats more than being able to join wires. Its a little more involved... Look for ETMs (Electronic Troubleshooting Manuals), there are some great links to them here, GO THROUGH THEM, and make sure you know every wire's function. Then its start-first-time easy.
That should be some help. Put some time into it, you will be rewarded, and you'll find more than you need here. THis coming from another relative noob. I haven't been here that long...
BTW, awesome pic of your E34, that looks sooo damn elegant! Reminded me why I love those things!

[Shoomakan]

E34's are the shit. I want one someday... :D

Oh, and everything btec said. :D

[Jason89i]

If you have a ZF, use a 328 or M3 four bolt manual driveshaft
If you have a Getrag 250, use a 325 driveshaft

agreed.
also the e30 m3 ds for the zf (e36 328, m3.)
e30 325i (manual) ds for e36 getrag ( e36 325, and 318.)

search for auto to manual conversions. when you switch to manual, there is a "park" switch that will need to be jumped to allow starting.....however, the cruise wont work unless the car thinks its in "drive."

cheers, jason

[FredK]

also the e30 m3 ds for the zf (e36 328, m3.)
e30 325i (manual) ds for e36 getrag ( e36 325, and 318.)

oops! I forgot about the E30 M3 driveshaft. It is the perfect match, as it uses M12 bolts just like the E36 transmissions' output flanges and guibos. You could also use a late 325e driveshaft with the 96mm BCD guibo with a ZF, but you'd have to use spacers to adapt the 10mm bolt holes of the E30 driveshaft to the 12mm output flange of the E36 transmission.

All other E30 driveshafts use M10 bolts. So, you must use spacers to adapt the M10 driveshaft to a M12 output shaft.

[kesslerbmw]

Getrag 240/260 are from E30's, use the respective tailshafts. This is a cheaper option, requires a bit of fabbing though. Not hard. If you already have a 240, I'd go with it.

ANyway, Kesslerbmw, You have alot of options. You will find a huge amount of info here, give it a while, and you'll figure out how to navigate through it all.
There is a FAQ-style thread for 24V swaps, but I forgot how to get to it (someone else?)
Anyway, its there somewhere.
One thing there hasnt been too much obvious discussion is on Getrag 240's. Yes, you can fit them, no issues in fitment to the block. However, they run slightly different ratios, and a different size bellhousing. Also there are a few changes between single and twin-cam blocks you need to know about. Again you can find all these. There is argument on torque-loading of the G240's designed for a 4-banger, being used with a six. IMO, unless you're doubling or tripling the torque (with some pretty seroius motorwork), this shouldn't be an issue. I have not actually heard any concrete info on the difference between G240's and G260's regarding Torque. Keep that in mind though, if you go stick a hairdryer on down the line!
With electrics, this is a touchy issue! You will hear alot back on this, especially negative, if you go saying "its too hard and you guys are messy"... Its reasonable, You really shouldn't rely on other's wiring to get you through, people do get it wrong, and also cars do vary. If you say you're competent, hopefully thats more than being able to join wires. Its a little more involved... Look for ETMs (Electronic Troubleshooting Manuals), there are some great links to them here, GO THROUGH THEM, and make sure you know every wire's function. Then its start-first-time easy.
That should be some help. Put some time into it, you will be rewarded, and you'll find more than you need here. THis coming from another relative noob. I haven't been here that long...
BTW, awesome pic of your E34, that looks sooo damn elegant! Reminded me why I love those things!

Thanks for the great post!

So the e30 5 speed drive shaft will work with the e36 Getrag, or I can use an e36 M3 drive shaft with the ZF I've got?

Its so confusing as I have 3 trans choices for myself, and so many different parts I can use..


I guess I'll go forward with making my own wiring info.. I need to pick up an e30 Bentley, has anyone made a PDF version? A couple guys put together one for the e34..

Im really excited about the E30 stuff. I've had some e34's and loads of fun with them, but they're no e30. I've gotten to the point were I always have to have at least one e34 to drive and I think the e30 is going to be that way too.

Thanks for all the great advice and input so far. I want the best, and most economical choices.

Heres a couple pics of my past e34's since you guys seem to be into them...

[FredK]

Yes, if you have an E36 M3 driveshaft you can use it with the ZF transmission.

www.wedophones.com has the ETMs that you'll need. I don't have an E30 Bentley. Quite frankly there aren't many procedures that you'll need out of it.

[VacMan]

Absolutely gorgeous E34's. I'm on the lookout for an E34 M5 to replace my E39 right now...I need to find one as nice as yours! :up:

Good luck on the swap, you've come to the right place. It may take a bit of digging and prodding the right people, but the knowledge base here is excellent.

Tim

[kesslerbmw]

Absolutely gorgeous E34's. I'm on the lookout for an E34 M5 to replace my E39 right now...I need to find one as nice as yours! :up:

Good luck on the swap, you've come to the right place. It may take a bit of digging and prodding the right people, but the knowledge base here is excellent.

Tim

Awesome, thats what I wanted to hear. I've been on BF.c since 03 and never had much of a reason to venture out until now.

I just picked up a Calypso E34 a week or two ago, and I picked up a Racing Dynamics full kit for it. Gotta do some more work on it and its going to get an over all paint job when the kit goes on. Lots of other cool things in the works for it as well..

[btec116]

www.wedophones.com has the ETMs that you'll need. I don't have an E30 Bentley. Quite frankly there aren't many procedures that you'll need out of it.

Wedophones, Thats the one I was thinking of. That place is awesome!
And I agree on the Bentley. Its a waste of time for the swap. It is simply not technical enough on the E30 electrics to be of any use. Although, E36 Bentley was alot better, I got a fair bit of info out of that for the m52 I'm using. That's worth a read. I got my e-copy off ebay. Cheap.
But for wiring up, ETM's are what you want!