[HOW TO] e46m3 6-speed your e30

[surebimmer]

The 6 speed from the 330i still has a higher NM rating then a zf from a e36.

[chuck90m3]

Anyone know if the 6 speed from a E46 330i ZHP (GS6-37BZ - TBEZ) is the same length as the E46 M3 (S6S 420G - TBAI)? The ZHP transmissions are a lot cheaper brand new. Just a thought.

Cheaper is not always the best thing. If you are looking for the gears yes but if you are putting down more power then I would go with the Getrag

[surebimmer]

Anyone know if the 6 speed from a E46 330i ZHP (GS6-37BZ - TBEZ) is the same length as the E46 M3 (S6S 420G - TBAI)? The ZHP transmissions are a lot cheaper brand new. Just a thought.

[chuck90m3]

(assuming you installed one)

Yes there was a drive shaft installed. As we spoke about before through PMs there is plenty of adjustment left in the drive shaft. I would say no more than an inch +/-. I thought you had one installed already once, I assumed you would already have known this.

[rThor432]

Automatic E36 M3 drive shaft fit confirmed!

How much adjustment was left in the driveshaft (assuming you installed one)?

[BMWtech@mac]

Yeah, for that matter let me know as well. It would make things even better for me.

[Lag]

Please send me pics of the brace and extensions you will be making up, I maybe interested in one. email is atpd_20v@yahoo.com thanks in advance!

[chuck90m3]

Shameless F/S post

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=120930

This is a PIC i found off of the Azevedo Motorsports web page. It is just basically an extension from the manual brace rail to the brace that sits out in mid air. I am going to be making a few of my own brace (adapters) for myself and a friend. All you will need to do is bolt the (adapter) on the car and then bolt the brace to it. My adapter will bridge the manual to auto rail.

[BMWtech@mac]

For those that did this swap, can someone please post some pictures of the modified cross member, and what they did? With the new info about not having to get a custom driveshaft made this is now a "must do" for me. I'm already running a 3.73 rear gear so I think this will be perfect for my car. Thanks, Christian.

[BeirBrennerE30]

changes made to teh write up to reflect this new information

[chuck90m3]

Automatic E36 M3 drive shaft fit confirmed! One small hiccup, you need to change out the CSB to one that will fit the E30. Other than this one problem the only thing (custom) you need to make is the transmission brace. Now I need to figure out if I am going to run a 3.46:1 or 3.73:1 LSD

[chuck90m3]

Will do. I have to get under it to install a 24V skidplate anyway - I'll take a look at the casing when I do it. M4tt was convinced that it's a 3.46:1 *shrug*

when we were at lunch I wrote down on your list AND told you it was a 3.25:1. Just check it, if you like it then there is no real reason to change it right?

[m3_eater]

You need to double check yours I want to say it is a 3.25:1 LSD. Remember I put it in there so do some checking.

Will do. I have to get under it to install a 24V skidplate anyway - I'll take a look at the casing when I do it. M4tt was convinced that it's a 3.46:1 *shrug*

[chuck90m3]

Lemme know if you find two... I'm putting together an e36 with a 6-speed also.

will do.

[chuck90m3]

I just love mine. I'm running a 3.46 LSD, and the ratio is perfect for combined street/highway duty.

You need to double check yours I want to say it is a 3.25:1 LSD. Remember I put it in there so do some checking.