Compatible driveshaft?

[tastic]

Hello. I bought this 90% finished M335i (M325i with 3.5 from E32). It was running a little 240 (or is it 242?) from a pfl 318i with a m20 clutch. I did some skids and now the clutch is broken.

Anyway, I've picked up all the stuff from an M30 powered E28, including a 260-01302-91 gearbox that is only about 2cm shorter than a 260 from a E30 325i. It's got the bigger yolk on the output shaft so I can't use any E30 driveshaft.

Just wondering if any of you experts know of any driveshafts with the bigger yolk on the tranny end that will bolt straight in? I'm trying to avoid getting custom work done on an E30 driveshaft, cause that kind of work is really quite expensive. I know I could just swap the yolks over, but I can't help but think BMW must have used that bigger yolk for a reason!

A quick picture to make it official:



Cheers!

Max.

[revitoff10]

There are a lot of different combos that may work. Other may chime in, but there is a lot of info buried in peoples build threads.

Here is my experience, which is different from some others. Not sure what year your car is, or more specifically how your two piece drive shaft is set up. I have an 87 325is that I believe has a replacement driveshaft in it. The drive shaft comes a part in the rear half of the two pieces with a spline and collar (versus the nut in the ujoint between the two halfs). The spine section easily gives you a little extra play on the length. I used this drive shaft and changed the yolk (part the guibo bolts to on the transmission) from the one on my 535i transmission (bg) to the 325is one (small). Took 5 minutes to change. Driveshaft bolts right up. No strength issues, car has been to track days and done just fine. People turbo their m20s and don't worry about their driveshaft set ups so it should handle a stock m30 just fine.

you can probably search for some of my posts and see a picture of what I'm talking about.

Hope this helps

[tastic]

True, ok good to know that you aren't having troubles with the smaller yolk. The E30.de M30 swap guide indicates that smaller guibos get chewed up.

Oh and yea I have the 2 piece driveshaft with the spline and center bearing in the middle.

[MR 325]

Not sure if it's different over there but here a lot of the 87 325/325e cars had the large guibo driveshaft. If you can find one of these, it will be a direct fit. Otherwise, swap the smaller flange on to your E28 transmission. We did this with a friend's M30 swap along with a new OEM guibo. Had no issues with it.

[tastic]

I have just dropped the gerabox off to have the smaller flange put on, thanks for the advice.

There are no 2.7 eta E30s in NZ, only E28s.

[jim325]

I think the e30M3 driveshaft can work. Depending on your motor mount brackets. But you might have to get it shortened so iffy.

[tastic]

Zero chance of finding an E30 M3 driveshaft unfortunately.

[Doughnut]

Oh and yea I have the 2 piece driveshaft with the spline and center bearing in the middle.

All stock drive shafts on e30's are '2 piece'

I have just dropped the gerabox off to have the smaller flange put on, thanks for the advice.

Have you even quoted around to have your drive shaft shortened? Or just read on the internet that it's expensive?

I seriously don't understand why people constantly make these threads on "which drive shaft combination do I use use?" It's been covered a thousand times...

To have my Driveshaft shortened, big flange welded on and balanced cost me $250, it fits perfectly... And I'm told that was 'expensive'...

There are no 2.7 eta E30s in NZ, only E28s.

Wut?

[tastic]

All stock drive shafts on e30's are '2 piece'

I know, but it seemed as if the poster abov me didnt.

Have you even quoted around to have your drive shaft shortened? Or just read on the internet that it's expensive?

I seriously don't understand why people constantly make these threads on "which drive shaft combination do I use use?" It's been covered a thousand times...

To have my Driveshaft shortened, big flange welded on and balanced cost me $250, it fits perfectly... And I'm told that was 'expensive'...

That is expensive when the going rate for the front half of a driveshaft is $100 MAX. I didn't ring any shops. I asked other people who have had it done.

Wut?

There were no 325e or 325ee or any other kind of eta 2.7 E30 sold new in NZ. In 5 years of keeping an eye on the market I have seen one on trademe, and it was LHD. wut.

[REVHARD05]

so transmission output shaft swap?? and use the 325i stock shaft?

[uturn]

The 325e was for the North American market. Try to convince someone to source and ship the front half of the driveshaft to you.

[akw_]

To have my Driveshaft shortened, big flange welded on and balanced cost me $250, it fits perfectly... And I'm told that was 'expensive'...

This.

If your going to spend the money on doing this swap, do it properly.

Doughnut, where did you get this done? sound like a good deal

[Doughnut]

Doughnut, where did you get this done? sound like a good deal

I had the work done by Daniel's Engineering in Wollongong NSW.

All freshly painted and original factory looking, I'm very pleased with it.

[Skunkworks]

OLD Post but I have a big flange front shaft if someone needs it.

[dishwab]

Bumping this thread... I've got a driveshaft question as well. May be a bit stupid so bear with me, I wasn't able to find a definitive answer to what is a pretty simple question I imagine.

So, in the midst of removing my stock driveshaft today (89 325i) it occurred to me that I have no idea where the front half I'll be using (big guibo from a 325e) will need to align with my rear half. Will I absolutely need to take the two somewhere and get it balanced? Or is there a trick to doing this even though they are from different cars?

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers