more tranny questions

[slowpoke6]

will a m30b35 bolt up to a stock 325e tranny and driveshaft. just wanna see if i can lessen my overall cost of this swap

[speedhop]

NO...you need to use either a g265 or g280

driveshaft is also a no go...325es with big guibo

you can find this stuff at the yard or a pick your part, to offset cost but you should get your shaft looked at, rebuilt and balanced

[SpunkyE30nOk]

NO...you need to use either a g265 or g280

driveshaft is also a no go...325es with big guibo

you can find this stuff at the yard or a pick your part, to offset cost but you should get your shaft looked at, rebuilt and balanced

actually you can use the stock 325es driveshaft if its an auto and you are using engine position #3 for the m30 swap. I think all you have to do is loosen the rear splice on the driveshaft and push the ends closer 2gether.

[slowpoke6]

well i dont have an auto 325es its a manual 325e. what is engine position #3? please explain

[speedhop]

I believe that the auto driveshaft has 4 bolts while the manual has 3.

there is a guy on e30tech who used the 325e driveshaft named rs4pro...send him a pm and i'm sure he can give you a concrete answer

[george graves]

what is engine position #3? please explain

This guy from e30.de makes mounts (very hard to get shipped to the US BTW) - and he created this position 1, 2, and 3.

Position 1 - far forward - you need custom radiator inside the radiator support.

Position 2 - no firewall modification need

Position 3 - far back - you'll need to bang the firewall to clear the head.

...

[speedhop]

This guy from e30.de makes mounts (very hard to get shipped to the US BTW) - and he created this position 1, 2, and 3.

I vote that we begin using our own lingo...

position 1 = Position "too lazy to think past one"

position 2 = Position "I'm too indecisive to make a decision"

position 3 = Position "BFH" or "bam bam"

[slowpoke6]

well then im goin with "im to indecisive to make a decision" bc i am in no mood for slammin around my firewall or custom work

[speedhop]

good choice...that's what i have :)

[kenny17]

So what you're saying is the es trans will work, but the driveshaft won't? I've got a 325es Man.trans. I'm wondering If I can just bolt the m30 to my trans and go. I'd like to go with position 3 for the handling factor. a little firewall modification shouldn't be a big deal.

[euroshark]

So what you're saying is the es trans will work, but the driveshaft won't? I've got a 325es Man.trans. I'm wondering If I can just bolt the m30 to my trans and go. I'd like to go with position 3 for the handling factor. a little firewall modification shouldn't be a big deal.

No, you can not use any transmission from an version of the M20. The e or es man-shaft will work, but you will have to pony up the cash for an M30 compatible transmission... Either a Getrag 260/5, 260/6, 265, or 280 (not even a viable option because they are super rare and expensive).

[speedhop]

No, you can not use any transmission from an version of the M20. The e or es driveshaft will work, but you will have to pony up the cash for an M30 compatible transmission... Either a Getrag 260/5, 260/6, 265, or 280 (not even a viable option because they are super rare and expensive).

The intention was correct...i know you what you meant :)

[euroshark]

Ahh yes, I was posting at work and "Bob" doesn't like it when I'm on the internetz... Had to be quick!

[kenny17]

gotcha, gotcha, thanks, so pretty much what your saying is the best set-up to find would be a 6er, engine and trans could just stay together? But i'm still confused, why won't the 260 work but the 260/5 will? Is it that they won't bolt together or the gear ratios are crap? By the way I'm searching and searching the fact I only have 2-3 posts sucks but I've been trying to do my homework on this stuff.

I found this, thought it was cool:

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/attachments/3-series-e21-e30/11016d1092448653-top-speed-325-1988-2-7liters-bmw_e30_3_series_specifications.doc

[euroshark]

I would urge you to restore a 6 series if you find one, not part it out... Their value is rising steadily and they are awesome cars; way cooler (imo) and exclusive than an E30. That said...

There is an M20 Getrag 260 and an M30 Getrag 260, that's an important distinction. The M30 260s are generally called 260/5 and 260/6, but if you are buying one be sure to check! A Getrag 260 for an M20 will absolutely not bolt to the back of your M30!