5spd Swap...

[steinbachphoto]

It's time to do this on my car. I have a BMW specific junkyard (so to speak) about 45 minutes from my place so gathering parts shouldn't be an issue.

The question is, do I DIY or get a professional to do it? I have some wrench experience, never done a transmission though. I do have a garage full of tools (sans car lift).

[jeffnhiscars]

It's time to do this on my car. I have a BMW specific junkyard (so to speak) about 45 minutes from my place so gathering parts shouldn't be an issue.

The question is, do I DIY or get a professional to do it? I have some wrench experience, never done a transmission though. I do have a garage full of tools (sans car lift).

Nice yards in Cobble Hill :-)

Should be a DIY if you have some wrench turning experience. There is really no magic to it, just a bunch of details. Shop labor would be a fortune especially every time they realize they are missing a widget.

Just get all your parts as a "kit".

[steinbachphoto]

Nice yards in Cobble Hill :-)

Should be a DIY if you have some wrench turning experience. There is really no magic to it, just a bunch of details. Shop labor would be a fortune especially every time they realize they are missing a widget.

Just get all your parts as a "kit".

is that a place?

The place I'm talking about is called Bimmer Parts. I sent them an email asking about them kitting something together for me, and how much they would charge to do it.

Do you have to drop the motor or anything? I don't have a lift or anything for that.

[jeffnhiscars]

is that a place?

The place I'm talking about is called Bimmer Parts. I sent them an email asking about them kitting something together for me, and how much they would charge to do it.

Do you have to drop the motor or anything? I don't have a lift or anything for that.

Cobble Hill is just outside of Duncan...about 45 mi north of you.

No the motor stays in place although you will have to support it since the back end is held up the the tranny. Its heavy and it really helps to have a floor jack to get the trans out and to put the 5spd in and for sure you want stands. There are threads about this very swap so do some homework, then decide if you are comfortable doing it yourself

[steinbachphoto]

Cobble Hill is just outside of Duncan...about 45 mi north of you.

No the motor stays in place although you will have to support it since the back end is held up the the tranny. Its heavy and it really helps to have a floor jack to get the trans out and to put the 5spd in and for sure you want stands. There are threads about this very swap so do some homework, then decide if you are comfortable doing it yourself

Sorry I meant was "Nice Yards" a place, I do know Cobble Hill, been an Island boy my whole life.

I do have a 2 floor jacks so shouldn't be an issue.

Do you have any thread links? I've done some searching but couldn't really find much on here.

[jeffnhiscars]

Sorry I meant was "Nice Yards" a place, I do know Cobble Hill, been an Island boy my whole life.

I do have a 2 floor jacks so shouldn't be an issue.

Do you have any thread links? I've done some searching but couldn't really find much on here.

I meant JY in general in the Cobble Hill area.

Floor jacks will make R&R the trans manageable but DO NOT use them to support the car while you work underneath. I had 4 axle stands and so should you.

The one part of the job that took some head scratching was to bypass the starter lockout switch that is built in to the auto trans shift mechanism. I wound up installing a jumper in the panel above the drivers kick panel (dont recall what connections).

This should help:

http://www.e30s10.com/Other/5spd%20swap/

[steinbachphoto]

I meant JY in general in the Cobble Hill area.

Floor jacks will make R&R the trans manageable but DO NOT use them to support the car while you work underneath. I had 4 axle stands and so should you.

The one part of the job that took some head scratching was to bypass the starter lockout switch that is built in to the auto trans shift mechanism. I wound up installing a jumper in the panel above the drivers kick panel (dont recall what connections).

This should help:

http://www.e30s10.com/Other/5spd%20swap/

Thanks for the link, yeah I have axle stands, I enjoy my life too much to risk going under with just a jack.

[mitchlevy7]

use realoem.com and make sure you have all the parts you need before you start. it shouldnt be that hard.
look up the driveshaft, pedals, and shifter mechanisim and make sure you have everything.
Also, if you have an airbag car you cannot replace the whole pedal assembly without dropping the steering column. Still its usually easier to unbolt the pedals themselves instead of replacing the whole assembly.
also, disconnect the driveshaft from the differential first so you can use the park in the auto tranny to make sure it doesnt spin.

just some tips from someone who just did it.

[steinbachphoto]

use realoem.com and make sure you have all the parts you need before you start. it shouldnt be that hard.
look up the driveshaft, pedals, and shifter mechanisim and make sure you have everything.
Also, if you have an airbag car you cannot replace the whole pedal assembly without dropping the steering column. Still its usually easier to unbolt the pedals themselves instead of replacing the whole assembly.
also, disconnect the driveshaft from the differential first so you can use the park in the auto tranny to make sure it doesnt spin.

just some tips from someone who just did it.

appreciate it

[Varinn]

Get in touch with Mattm, he lives close to you and has done multiple 5 speed swaps and a couple 24v conversions (including one in an IX). He's known to be a nice dude and has a pit in his garage which he may let you use or a few bucks