Auto to 5speed Transmission Conversion Write up(56k no

[BS87]

So after quickly fixing the fact that i somehow broke the little ground strap between the starter and solenoid thing, i double checked my wiring, fixed it to look like marvin's and it fired right up. Thanks for all your help guys, and marvin, that picture helped TONS.

[Digitalwave]

this thread is very helpfull,
i will do my swap next weekend, if i get all the parts here by this week
one question, will the 5spd tranny from the e30 fit the m50 engine?

It will fit, but needs a custom cross member because the tranny sits at an angle.

[BS87]

The hardest thing i ever did on my E30 before i did my tranny swap was change the brake pads.

Granted, i didn't get the whole swap done in day, but i made damn good time for someone who only had this writeup, the bentley, and questions.


If i can do it, almost anyone can.

[Steve30]

Sticky please!

[echothreezero]

I'm doing this conversion right now. Everythign going to plan so far.

A few pointers: - use a big breaker bar on the torque converter bolts and a big F/O screwdriver on the ring gear and you'll be fine. Or get another breaker bar on the front pulley nut and wedge it against the ground.

- you can change pedals over on some models without removing the pedal box - I did. You still "teach the neighbours a few new words" if you have aircon like me and the lines get in the way, but a lot less hassle than changing the entire box.

- I haven't yet worked our the wiring thing. Some of my wires are diff colours. I have a brown, a Green with yellow, a blue with white and two green with black entering the plug.

Going by the write up I should be joining the two green and black with the green and yellow? Isn't green and yellow power in for the little shift console light and the reversing lights? Brown would be earth for the little console light, and blue the return via the reversing bulbs?

So do the green and blacks need to go to ground, or do they indeed get jumpered to the green and yellow. My manual says I could just jumper two pins on the ECU connector, but that territory really scares me!

[echothreezero]

Got it - 2x green w/ black spliced into the incoming power (green w/ yellow) for the reversing lights.

[RobertK]

So that reddish-brown wire is actually a ground?

[Digitalwave]

Hey just wondering , Can you use the Old starter motor that was on the Automatic on the conversion to the 5 speed ?
or are they identical ?

They are the same, you can reuse it.

[devarato]

its the bearing that fits inside the crank shaft, i presume for the input shaft of the 5spd to slot into....automatics do not have them

[Digitalwave]

It's called a pilot bearing. A small gear puller can remove it.

[Digitalwave]

Pictures are completely unnecessary to do the swap, I did it all just by reading this article:

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00158&Section=11

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

can a gtg260 from 528e work in '91 325i?

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

can a gtg260 from 528e work in '91 325i?

yes, in fact, if you use the one from '82 or '83 or something, it's got external bellhousing/transmission bolts.....or something

[ptownTSI]

anyone have a host for the pictures yet?

[///M42 sport]

Is it really necessary to replace all the bolts/washers new?