which trans to use with an s50 swap?

[flyboyx]

I am going to look an a wrecked 2000 M z3 in a few minutes for the purpose of drive train swapping to my e30. looks like i will have the choice of 3 transmissions. at this point i don't know which one would be best. my car has a m42/5spd. i have a parts car m20/5spd. this apparently has the 6 speed zf. without knowing anything about it, i would be inclined toward the zf. does anone have any thoughts? someone mentioned in another thread that if i choose the zf, i can use a 328 drive shaft hopefully without modification. i really would prefer not to modify the drive shaft if i can help it.

peace

brian

[FredK]

The Z3 M came with a 5 speed ZF 320, same as the E36 328 and M3. You don't have to mod the E36 328 or M3 manual driveshaft. Make sure the M3 driveshaft has a four bolt flange in the rear, though. 95 M3s received a six bolt flange that connects to the diff.

[rThor432]

You want the 6-speed, no doubt. But I dont think that the Z3 M-coupes had 6-speeds. Just the regular ZF 5-speed from what I've seen. I dont like the way ZF's shift, but that is from my experience and other's dont seem to have a problem with it.

The M42 trans (Getrag 240) will blow up if you drive it hard. See: Jordan.

The M20 5-speed (Getrag 260) is a tough ass gearbox. But you might want closer gearing or something. Overdrive is nice, so I'm using the 260. I've got plenty of torque everywhere in the rev range so there is no need for the close gearing.

It's also easier to find 260's if you ever need another trans or parts.

[FredK]

Yeah, the 260 is readily available, and cheap. You can also retain a stock-feeling clutch pedal since you'd reuse the hydraulics from the E30.

With an E36 transmission the hydraulic ratio is smaller, so it is more difficult to disengage the clutch to shift. However, it also allows you to use a 240 mm E36 clutch. I feel the M3 clutch has a really nice direct feel to it. The ZF 320 is highly available at junk yards, but they are fairly expensive. You can expect to pay $350 - 550 at your local yards, but you can get a Getrag 260 for peanuts.

[flyboyx]

i get what you are saying about the 260. what about the driveshaft?

[rThor432]

You can use a standard 260 driveshaft. That's why it's nice for people with 6-cylinder cars, all of the parts are already there.

[rThor432]

However, it also allows you to use a 240 mm E36 clutch. I feel the M3 clutch has a really nice direct feel to it.

A few people have used the 240mm flywheel/clutch assembly with the 260. I know GoldE30 did. I talked to Stu Mc for a while about it, and he said that his brother (Alex) used the 240 setup with his S52 and 260 combo. He said you have to remove a bit of meat out of the bellhousing.

That is the better flywheel/clutch assembly.