E30 S54 Swap trans questions

[McDewbie]

I am planning on doing an S54 swap and I'm hoping to put the 6 speed that comes behind the S54 in. Now I have done a bit of googleing to see if I can put the E46 6 speed in and all I seem to be finding is E36 swap info. just wondering if it will fit without major hammer work or some elaborate linkage work.
Thanks, Evan

[89AlpineM3]

There's a thread on here that talks about it. The arc asylum makes the new trans mount for the swap. I'm using it on my swap with the getrag 6 speed

[nando]

I don't think it's any wider since it still has to fit a 24v block in the end - should fit just fine.

where in BC are you? if you need your DME flashed PM me. :)

[rkettner]

Where in bc. I want to see in person

[McDewbie]

I live on vancouver island, I plan on going fully standalone so no need for DME reflash, I havent bought anything yet, I'm just gathering all the info I will be needing. I dont want to buy something and then find out I have to radically change the car to make it fit. Is there a point to using a 6 speed? like really how often is 6th used? or am I just getting it for bragging rights? also any diff sugestions?
Thanks, Evan

[Wanganstyle]

E30 S54 Swap trans questions

Do the math?

Gears/gearing is simple math and one can find many online calculators / charts to compare between 5 or 6 gears and multiple ratios

Lots of 6 speed e30 installs been going for years now; is it worth it? Depends on the owner; it's a pretty luxurious feeling for sure but lap time doesn't change unless fitting an insane final drive ratio.

The s54 guys usually fit a 3,91 or 4,10 ratio due to availability/cost. 3.62 is Oem setting by bmw for e46 m3 and z4m.

I'd suggest keeping a 3,73 for everyday or fitting a 4,27 for attack use.

This opens up an entire new can of worms/cost. S54 power and rpm stress will not fare well with any random mystery old differential......at least not for long!




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[cwatt]

What about electrical? Any sensors need adaptor harnesses or sensors on the newer 6-speed that aren't present on the Getrag 260?

Also wondering about the shifter linkage - will this need to be custom? I've been interested in this for a while.

I'm assuming custom drive-shafts. I saw somewhere a poly-guibo kit for 24v swaps. Not sure what else is involved...

[nando]

the only thing you need is a reverse light switch, which of course it already has.

shifter construction is pretty much the same on all BMWs, but I don't know what specific carrier you'd use.