Driveshaft issues

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  • E30SPDFRK
    Moderator
    • Jul 2007
    • 5687

    #1

    Driveshaft issues

    I'm nearing the end of my swap and I still don't have the driveshaft figured out. I was planning on using either the front of an e28 with the back of mine or swapping the output flange on the tranny and running my factory one, but after measurements, neither of these will work.

    I measured from where the engine mounts bolt to the subframe to the output flange of the tranny. The eta combo was around 38.5" and the b35/260 combo was only 34". Does this sound correct? Both the e28 and e30 shafts were about 24" from the back of the guibo to the center of the u-joint, so I need one that is about 28" long.

    What are my options here? I've been told an 87e driveshaft will work, but there are none around here. Would the front of an e34 535i shaft work? Anything else?

    Thanks
    Byron
    Leichtbau
  • talltorontoguy
    Wrencher
    • Apr 2006
    • 267

    #2
    The front of an E28 535 driveshaft with the back of your 325i driveshaft "may" work.

    The E34 driveshaft I had could not be disassembled the way the E30 and E28 shafts can. Early E34s may be different.

    I used an E30 325e driveshaft unmodified. I have an M30B35 (92) in position III with 260 transmission and stock diff.

    Rod
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    • peerless
      Banned
      • Dec 2003
      • 285

      #3
      Ok take your drive shaft and measure it from the rear flange all the way to the front flange, write down that number.

      Install the flex disk on the back of the trans, measure from the face of the flex disk to the differential flange, write down that number. This is how long you need your driveshaft.

      Subtract the length you need from the actual length of the driveshaft, this is how much it needs to be shortened. You have the middle slip yoke so you have a little fudge factor.

      The M30 swap I did we used a 265 transmission. The driveshaft was a Mid 86 eta with the big flange. We had it shortened 2". The driveshaft was fully rebuilt with new u-joints, shortened, balanced for $350

      You have to make your own measurements and call a driveshaft shop and make it happen.

      Comment

      • E30SPDFRK
        Moderator
        • Jul 2007
        • 5687

        #4
        My driveshaft needs to be longer though going by my measurements. I measured just the fronts of my e30 and e28 driveshafts and they were both the same length.

        What part of the e34 shaft was different?
        Byron
        Leichtbau

        Comment

        • Funkmasta
          R3V OG
          • May 2004
          • 7185

          #5
          Byron, the motor is in?
          Joe Funk -- Portland Oregon
          That Guy.
          03 X5. 3 liter obviously.

          Comment

          • Funkmasta
            R3V OG
            • May 2004
            • 7185

            #6
            The E34 driveline is the different style, where the slip is in the rear joint, instead of on the shaft
            Joe Funk -- Portland Oregon
            That Guy.
            03 X5. 3 liter obviously.

            Comment

            • E30SPDFRK
              Moderator
              • Jul 2007
              • 5687

              #7
              Not in yet, should be in tomorrow if I can get the engine bay painted tonight. Do my engine/transmission measurements sound right? I don't know why everyone else talks of shortening there driveshafts when mine needs to be lengthened.
              Byron
              Leichtbau

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