Driveshafts make my head spin...

[Fidhle007]

So I've been trying to figure something about driveshafts out but it just gets more and more confusing the more I delve into this info.

When using the ZF tranny out of a '95 M3, you can use an E30 M3 driveshaft, a later E36 shaft or, with some modification, an ETA shaft, yes? The info I'm most interested in is the ETA shaft because that's probably the easiest to get ones hands on. The thing I've heard though, is that the Guibo bolt holes are 10mm on the shaft and 12 on the Guibo and tranny so you would need to shim it. Is drilling the shaft out not an option for safety reasons then?

Just trying to understand this a little better...

Thanks!
Brendan

[FredK]

I'd leave the driveshaft alone and not drill it. I'm sure you could, but any time you remove metal, for the most part, you're reducing the amount of strength.

Just get a 96+ 328 shaft. They're a dime a dozen.

[Fidhle007]

5 speed, though, right? I think I already have an ETA shaft at the shop that would be the easy route.

[loonibab325i]

I'd leave the driveshaft alone and not drill it. I'm sure you could, but any time you remove metal, for the most part, you're reducing the amount of strength.

Just get a 96+ 328 shaft. They're a dime a dozen.

agreed, I recommend a late model e36 drive shaft as well, I used the drive shaft out of a 97 m3 with an e30 center support bearing, so far I have not ran into any troubles. What I did notice though was how close the guibo was to my shift linkage.. that is some freaky stuff haha.

[Fidhle007]

I'm sorted I think. It's nice being friends with the Euro Depot guys...

[loonibab325i]

what route did you go with?

[Fidhle007]

Original shaft from the M3 donor car, it has the four bolt rear end.

[loonibab325i]

sweet, it bolts up to the 325e front end of the diff no problem? I never new that. What center support bearing do you use, also what guibo?

-Abe.

[Fidhle007]

No clue yet, this is all theory until I start turning wrenches next week. CSB should be E30 though, and Guibo has to me '95 M3 because both things on either end of it are from a '95 M3...

[loonibab325i]

Ah, cool.

Keep us updated!

-Abe.

[shopkeep]

I think I am one of the only ones that kept the same flange's from the E30 and cut the driveshaft down to length...lol....I knew a guy that knew a guy, so I got it done pretty cheap.

[evil_twin]

Alright. So I am using a ZF transmission for my M52 swap, and I need to know what drive shaft I need in order to keep my stock rear end. I know I can use an E30M3 drive shaft but I can't seem to find one cheap enough. What should I do?

[Fidhle007]

E36 328 driveshaft seems to be the route to go. I guess that's what mine is, it's not the shaft that came off the M3 but it was bolted to a ZF and has the 4 bolt rear so I'm assuming it's from a 328 originally. You won't want to keep your stock rear end though, the gearing will be waaaay too short. Fun as hell under 55 but the high rpms at highway speeds are a bitch. 3.25 works for me now, although I'd really rather have the short gears on a six-speed box instead but that's just not in the cards now.

[etxxz]

e36 M3 or 328i's have the 4 bolt rear end. those will work. Otherwise e30 M3. if your car is four door idk what your route is. There's both 328i and M3's (both 96+) that are four door.

[broke30]

Umm I don't know where you guys got your information about the eta driveshaft but I'm using an UNMODIFIED '87 eta driveshaft on my zf.....
Max