transmission of choice?

[Stu]

I'm just speaking from personal experience from swap-cars within my family. Others may argue that the E36 1:1 box's have better suited ratios for gears 3-4-5 making them preferred on a racetrack. My recommendation for the E30 260 'box is based on all things considered, and is strictly an opinion.

[1990m3]

I prefer and always recommend the 260 for a number of reasons:
-Uses stock E30 325i driveshaft components
-Works very well with readily available 3.73 or 4.10 rear ends
-For street driving, better gear ratios. Much more potent on the 1-2 shift compared to the E36 'box. If you're like me, 95% of 'ripping it' consists of 1-2-3 gears.
-Minimal issues with downshift-overrevs (This is too common a problem with E36 gearboxes for 'driver error' to be the excuse)
----However, unlike the E36 gearboxes which bolt directly to E30 transmission brace:
-You will need to fabricate a transmission brace, but this is not very difficult.
-Selector rod modification (to compensate for 10-degree angle difference), this is a simple cut/weld.

all valid points but...what about the usefulness of a 1:1 5th gear that the e36 zf box has? Mine is a track car and I love the 5th gear pull I get from the zf box. I will admit that I prefer the shifting qualities of the getrag boxes but its hard to find a getrag box with a favorable 5th gear ratio in the US without spending $$$$$

[SpecM]

I prefer and always recommend the 260 for a number of reasons:
-Uses stock E30 325i driveshaft components
-Works very with readily available 3.73 or 4.10 rear ends
-For street driving, better gear ratios. Much more potent on the 1-2 shift compared to the E36 'box.
-Minimal issues with downshift-overrevs (This is too common a problem with E36 gearboxes for 'driver error' to be the excuse)
-You will need to fabricate a transmission brace, but this is not very difficult.
-Selector rod modification (to compensate for 10-degree angle difference) is SIMPLE work

listen to stuart. He knows these things.

[Stu]

I prefer and always recommend the 260 for a number of reasons:
-Uses stock E30 325i driveshaft components
-Works very well with readily available 3.73 or 4.10 rear ends
-For street driving, better gear ratios. Much more potent on the 1-2 shift compared to the E36 'box. If you're like me, 95% of 'ripping it' consists of 1-2-3 gears.
-Minimal issues with downshift-overrevs (This is too common a problem with E36 gearboxes for 'driver error' to be the excuse)
----However, unlike the E36 gearboxes which bolt directly to E30 transmission brace:
-You will need to fabricate a transmission brace, but this is not very difficult.
-Selector rod modification (to compensate for 10-degree angle difference), this is a simple cut/weld.

[So Live]

I love the ZF, I just need to fix the detent springs now.

Lol i need to do that too.

I think the e36M ZF box is great. They also cam in e46 and e36 328i's. Sometimes you can get em cheap cause its not an M part.

You need to run a new diff though. 3.46 is the super performance one e36 guys run. 3.25 is the stock M3 ratio. Some people run 2.73 but only with extra hp. I like my 3.25.

Im using a e46 328I driveshaft with the s52 guibo and e30 CSB. Also running s52 clutch and flywheel.

[daveyboi]

Hmmm looks like it's time to start looking for a zf transmission then.
Should be fun locating one in adelaide... Not [/Borat]
aah well i could be lucky

[evil_twin]

I love the ZF, I just need to fix the detent springs now.

[Van Westervelt]

I love my little 260. With the shifter linkage altered, mine is centered right where is should be.

IF I build whats in the back of my head and garage, I will be going FI, and using the e46 6spd. But only because of the 400+bhp.

[m3_eater]

I'm running the 6-speed Getrag from an '06 M3, and the big benefit is the ability to run a 3.46 LSD for good acceleration but still have a reasonably quiet & efficient cruise in 6th on the freeway. The first 5 gears are the same ratio as the E36 ZF 5-speed (5th is 1:1), with 6th as an overdrive gear. Another benefit for you if you're going FI is that the stock E46 M3 tranny is built for the 333HP (crank) of the M3, and can handle more.

If your car is for fun or fuh raze though, I'd say spending extra to get the 6th gear is a waste of $$. The ZF is the best unit overall for the cost.

Oh - and after 250K+ miles with a 260 before, I miss the feel of that transmission. The M3 6-speed is much more notchy.

[whysimon]

question:

I'm using a ZF Tranny off of a 95' M3. I'm using a 3:25lsd from a E28. What drive shaft do I need. I realize I need to use the CSB from my E30, or modify the E36. But I need to know which driveshaft.

Thanks

[whysimon]

question:

I'm using a ZF Tranny off of a 95' M3. I'm using a 3:25lsd from a E28. What drive shaft do I need. I realize I need to use the CSB from my E30, or modify the E36. But I need to know which driveshaft.

Thanks

[rThor432]

I'm using the ZF gearbox, but only because we had a good low mileage box at work that was growing cob-webs. It's strong and has nice gear spacing (though I would like it a good bit closer). I just dont like ZF boxes, they dont ever seem to operate as nicely as a similar Getrag unit. E36 M3's have some of the worst shifting characteristics I've experienced outside of the Porsche/VW world.

I would rather have used the G240 trans that comes from M42 cars. That would be a quick no-hassle transmission to use, because you could rob the trans, linkage, and drive shaft from the same car.

[318isbmw]

On a similar note...
Will the zf gearbox match up easily with an e46 clutch (which i may get with the m50 motor) or would i be better off using the matching e36 unit?

cheers

To use the e46 clutch I believe you need the e46 6 speed, which you can use in the swap as beirbrenner did. Personally, I would use the zf as its strongest of the e36's and by using the e36 tranny you'll be able to keep the drivetrain all the same by having the e36 motor and tranny and clutch all from the same.

[hugh jass]

Don't you have MORE driveshaft issues with the e36 getrag though? At least with e36 ZF you can get an off the shelf 96+ driveshaft for a direct fit?

you can run the getrag 250 with a e30 325i driveshaft, which is whats in my car

[lifeiskaos]

The zf. Its the tranny of choice for strength for the e36 guys so their holding up quite well. Card counter runs them in his m52 and such on bimmerforums so I think it should hold up quite well, as well as be able to put the larger clutch setup that the zf can fit. But if you insist that the 260 is stronger, then I think you answered your own question...

nahh, just telling you what i read, and thats why im asking :)