'89 325i + m30 + 4hp22 build

[G-Man the Visionary]

Back from the dead... lol

Instead of the EH, just bought a new pump because the wirewebs are more than I'd like to take on right now. Got the right throttle body. Oil pan drain is stripped (no wonder it was leaking). Would like to replace some seals while the engine/ trans is back out.

Since the m30 doesn't use the oil cooler, I'm thinking about using that for the transmission if the fittings can be made. I've got to figure out the right kickdown cable to use still too. Jumped the gun and bought a 3.91 LSD even though it's still not roadworthy...

A lot of work ahead of me... I'm sure you're enjoying yours! Everything running smoothly for you?

[n3nyongmini]

PM your address. I have an e34 TCU for the 4hp22 that is just taking up space.


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[G-Man the Visionary]

it's not here yet, but was able to find a 1990 535i at the junkyard. all untouched except for the transmission control unit was already gone. going to try and get every wire and plug out of it to see what goes where and what exactly is needed. swapping the internals of the transmission doesn't appear to be too difficult, but after messing this up I'd rather have a shop do it, and I don't have the kind of cash that they're asking for. soooo, if this eh can be done for way less, I'm going to give it a shot.

ps, I grabbed the m30 harness because the m20 one isn't quite for me, plus, what if something is needed for that eh conversion... so if anyone needs an m20 harness, let me know...

[G-Man the Visionary]

Thanks for your response! I've done a little research, and went ahead with the deal... he's going to send it to me... HOWEVER, I'm too scared to try the eh conversion, so i'm going to try and swap the EH control with my hydraulic control with kickdown cable and all... other than that, the whole transmission seems to be the exact same from comparing parts... also, i'll have to change the tailshaft which i believe will fit... if this is a fail, I'll just take it in to a shop and have them swap the guts from the new one into my old one and virtually have a rebuilt tranny, AND new TC as well... I need this thing out of the garage, my 3 month old hates the cold weather... Thank you so much for all your help, I hope this project opens new opportunity for auto guys...

btw, he said the donor car doesn't have an A/M switch or anything which i haven't heard of any like that... maybe in the future I can give the eh a try...

[n3nyongmini]

I feel like I've negatively jacked your thread, and I thank you for all your help so far...

well, from what is on the web... the pump is probably ruined from my poor installation... however, in getting rid of the stahl headers, the gentlemen has offered his '90 535i rebuilt auto tranny... seems that it is the eh model, but he does have the harness he'll send me... I'm guessing it'll also need the S/E and 123, so the whole gear selector area? I'm totally worried that there will be other wiring issues having this different tranny... Plus, can the output shaft be swapped? And, who's to say this one doesn't get installed wrong too? Is this even possible???

Hey no prob - threads aren't for owning!

I understand you've got to be very careful mating the TC into the AT. The trick is to spin the TC while you gently push it in - it'll go, just might take a few turns. IIRC it should sit back about a 1/4" from the bellhousing lip. When you have it mounted up to the engine you should still be able to spin the TC if it's not bolted to the torque plate.

Hmm I'd suppose the shifter, harness, switch (auto to manual shift) and TCM should be enough to get the EH in. It's all the same, just solenoids instead of hydraulic actuators to move the pistons in the AT valve body. I dunno about the output shaft - is it a difference in guibo sizes? Maybe you can just swap out the one on the non-EH?

LMK how it goes - really cool to get an EH. That's one of the things I look for in the yards...


Derek in Houston
89 335i automatic

[G-Man the Visionary]

I feel like I've negatively jacked your thread, and I thank you for all your help so far...

well, from what is on the web... the pump is probably ruined from my poor installation... however, in getting rid of the stahl headers, the gentlemen has offered his '90 535i rebuilt auto tranny... seems that it is the eh model, but he does have the harness he'll send me... I'm guessing it'll also need the S/E and 123, so the whole gear selector area? I'm totally worried that there will be other wiring issues having this different tranny... Plus, can the output shaft be swapped? And, who's to say this one doesn't get installed wrong too? Is this even possible???

[G-Man the Visionary]

Bad news... I went to do a quick trans flush and didn't get anything out of either cooler line... Added fluid, still nothing... Ran thru gears, nothing... Added more (now over the top line on dipstick) and still nothing... I'm beginning to think I didn't get the trans back together right or something... Any idea what's happening? Also, its on jacks and when I went thru the gears the wheel didn't turn... Please please please help, I'm clueless about transmissions...

[G-Man the Visionary]

i did some investigation while pulling the old rubbers off, it appears that i can run a straight through bolt on the trans mounts (meaning i can make my own), BUT, i have to shift the transmission about an inch to the passenger side... would that angle be tragic?

[G-Man the Visionary]

things still running smoothly? how about a video?

homemade motor mounts are in, but the trans mounts are shot and new ones ordered... would like to have it in the shop this weekend for the exhaust... then just to get the intake, throttle cables, and stuff like that hooked up...

[G-Man the Visionary]

Thanks... I'm afraid to get anything other than bolt through for the motor since it is sitting about an inch forward since breaking... I've found a few rods of 90A polyurethane and might do some experimenting (looks like there will be enough for a few sets in case you want one)... Motor mount bolts are 10mm right?...

Stock trans mounts seems to be the only thing available, so looks like that's what it'll be... thanks again n3n

[n3nyongmini]

Has anyone seen urethane mounts for an automatic trans? It's not specified on any of the sites with urethane mounts... My motor and trans mounts are shot and I'm looking to get a soft package...

Hmm can't say I have. I'm running new stock rubber mounts. Very quiet.


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[G-Man the Visionary]

Has anyone seen urethane mounts for an automatic trans? It's not specified on any of the sites with urethane mounts... My motor and trans mounts are shot and I'm looking to get a soft package...

[G-Man the Visionary]

I didn't have the main power wire hooked up, just had the 3 from the harness on the starter... Built the coolant lines and put them on, cleaned up a few things, also noticed one of the old motor mounts is no good now... ripped right apart... Thinking about some urethane ones for the motor and trans since they all need replaced... Any input on that subject? Nothing too harsh... Thanks

[G-Man the Visionary]

Let's just say... I'm a noooooob... lol

[Doughnut]

Got it!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwyA...e_gdata_player

So what was the issue?