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    Auto to Manual Conversion not complete?

    So, I had my inaugural race in Spec E30 in Florida last weekend (I came in first - not difficult when I was the only racer in the class). Sebring is a hell of a track - lots of turns.

    My car was born an automatic - we converted it because:
    1. All E30s really want to be 5 speeds
    2. Autos are not great when racing
    3. The Spec E30 rules allow it

    So - a guy comes over and says - "so - your car was an auto once, eh?" - I say "huh? how could you possibly know? - and yes!"

    He goes on that one of the digits in the VIN was even for autos, odd for 5 speeds (or the other way around). Very cool info.

    Then he says "and the hoses going into your throttle body are different on an Auto" - Huh? I didn't know that - and we got distracted and I never finished the conversation. Anyone know how they are different? I would like to be as authentic to the conversion as possible - I don't want to get protested by someone who thinks it is some kind of performance benefit - I want to do it correctly.

    Can anyone explain the differences between the auto and manual throttle body plumbing? or - even better - a close up picture from the driver's side of a manual throttle body?

    Thanks!

    #2
    -Im not 100% sure that's accurate... the kick-down cable is gone yea, but...
    1989 cirrisblau-metallic 325i

    Comment


      #3
      The only difference I know of in the throttle body between a manual and auto would be the kickdown cable.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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        #4
        the manual TB from my parts car is exactly the same as the one on my car as far as I can tell. I guess I could take pics of them side by side?
        Build thread

        Bimmerlabs

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          #5
          Truth is, as other have already stated, that the manual and auto TB and its associated plumbing is exactly the same .

          Its more likely that the guy just noticed the kick-down cable/bracket and figured it out .
          Also unlikely that he was able to decipher the VIN .....probably just noticed the big giant "A" on your doorjamb sticker .

          E30 M3 / E30 325is / E34 525iT / E34 535i

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            #6
            Originally posted by Teaguer View Post
            Truth is, as other have already stated, that the manual and auto TB and its associated plumbing is exactly the same .

            Its more likely that the guy just noticed the kick-down cable/bracket and figured it out .
            Also unlikely that he was able to decipher the VIN .....probably just noticed the big giant "A" on your doorjamb sticker .
            He walked over to the car with the hood down - looked at the vin on the dash and said it - I opened the hood and he said "yep". I looked at his car and it had less hoses in that general area - but that could mean he removed something.....

            Very possible on the kick down and I misunderstood - thanks!

            Or - he could be full of it - but wow -

            Comment


              #7
              he could have removed the coolant hoses
              Build thread

              Bimmerlabs

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                #8
                Makes sense. That probably explains it. That is also not legal for our class... Hmmmm....

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                  #9
                  That mod would be in a gray area of the rules. Technically, it falls into the "if it doesn't say you can, then you can't" category in SpecE30, but I've seen it done. As far as I know, there's no performance advantage to the mod and I doubt that you'd be protested because of it (assuming anyone knew).
                  The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                  Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                  Comment

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