M30 driveshaft help

[azzkikr]

Does anyone know if if there are different varieties of driveshafts that were used with the E34 M30's. I am trying to use the Jared Squires method for the driveshaft so that I can get it to fit. Unfortunately we seem to have very differnt driveshafts. I am not sure if the driveshaft on my car is original or not since I got the car at a junk yard. It seems as though the male/female ends on my driveshaft are switched. Anyone know of any differences on these? What have other M30 swap guys used on their cars

[bmw335ist]

I can help but I need more info so PM me and I will help you the best way that I can.

[azzkikr]

Anyone else with any suggestions or advice?

[bmw335ist]

Ok if you want to ues factory parts the e30m3 drive line will work But i will warn you the placement of the motor is into the fire wall a little

[azzkikr]

Are the M3 driveshafts and the 325i driveshafts the same length? Are either part of the standard 325i driveshaft equal in length. RealOEM.com does not list the M3 length. I was wondering because then I could see if everything lines up before I get an M3 driveshaft.

[bmw335ist]

the m3 will work but you will need a getrag 265 or 280 the 260 is longer and the spacing for the motor will be too much then you will have to have a radeator made i have done that and it was not worth the $600.

[azzkikr]

One more quick question. What is the difference in the size of the 260 vs 265? Is the bell housing any narrower in the engine bay? Or is it just the overall length of the trans that is different?

[Garageaholic]

azzkikr, keep us updated on the M30 swap. I'm doing one myself as of now, so let me know how things are going...

bmw2335ist, Can I use the front half driveshaft from the E28 535i? that's where the tranny is coming from....

[bmw335ist]

azzkikr, keep us updated on the M30 swap. I'm doing one myself as of now, so let me know how things are going...

bmw2335ist, Can I use the front half driveshaft from the E28 535i? that's where the tranny is coming from....

I think i tried that once the splines are differnt sizes and if you can do that you might need it balenced because it could cause a nasty vibration at high speeds that could be a problem.

[bmw335ist]

One more quick question. What is the difference in the size of the 260 vs 265? Is the bell housing any narrower in the engine bay? Or is it just the overall length of the trans that is different?

Because of the bolt holes. the bellhouseing is the same for all the trannys.
The 260 is a one pices tranny I do not know the over all lengh but i do know it is diffrent than the 265.

The 265 is conseterd a three pice tranny the bell houseing unbolts from the tranny and the third pice is the backpart of the tranny witch is the fifth gear

Also if you are useing a m30 from i think it is 85-87 you need the bellhouseing for the motronic scensor's

[azzkikr]

Sorry I meant to ask if the bell housing was any shorter lengthwise. The reason I am asking is because the driveshaft I have is about 4 inches to long. I am waiting to hear back from Jared Squires to see what he did. His site said that he was able to take the front from the 535i and the back from the 325i and then it fit for him. I am just curious what length his hybrid driveshaft was becuse if I do the same I am long by about 4 inches.

[bmw335ist]

Sorry I meant to ask if the bell housing was any shorter lengthwise. The reason I am asking is because the driveshaft I have is about 4 inches to long. I am waiting to hear back from Jared Squires to see what he did. His site said that he was able to take the front from the 535i and the back from the 325i and then it fit for him. I am just curious what length his hybrid driveshaft was becuse if I do the same I am long by about 4 inches.

I am not sure what the bellhouseing lenghts are sorry I can't tell the messurements and I have herd about useing the e30 back and the 5series frount but then its too long or too short you need to see about 1" of the splines for the two halfs that is what I have been told mabey because of the power I was running.

[bmwmike]

Hey, I just got back from LA. Ill have to get those injectors out if you still want them. Also I have the e28 shaft in my garage, so if you cant figure it out, we could compare them. Jared used the rear of an E34 shaft, and the front of the E30 shaft and then turned it backwards or something I thought?

[bmw335ist]

Hey, I just got back from LA. Ill have to get those injectors out if you still want them. Also I have the e28 shaft in my garage, so if you cant figure it out, we could compare them. Jared used the rear of an E34 shaft, and the front of the E30 shaft and then turned it backwards or something I thought?

Hey how is your m30 swap going?

I have A question How many people Have m30 into an e30 do you know of

[Garageaholic]

Well, i'll be done with mine by the end of the spring...e32