Possible to bolt up a ZF320 to an M20?

[Panici]

Hey guys,

Was planning on swapping a Getrag 260 into my Auto E30, but have now discovered that it needs a full clutch kit and then some.


I've got a ZF320 attached to an M52b28 sitting in my garage. It also needs a new clutch kit. Would it be possible to bolt this trans up to my M20b25?

I figure I might as well spend the money on the newer/better trans (with almost 100K less kilometers on it), and I can use it with my M52 if and when I do swap it into my E30.

Has anyone ever done this before? What parts will I need?


Things that immediately come to mind are:
-Transmission crossmember. Does anyone even make one for this application/use?
-ZF320 has a dual-mass flywheel, I'd want to convert to a single mass.
-Starter teeth issues.
-Rear end gearing way too short (3.73)

[Panici]

Bump.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Well, if people swap 24v's into their e30 and run a G260, what would YOU think?

[Panici]

Well, if people swap 24v's into their e30 and run a G260, what would YOU think?

(Rules are pressure plate, flywheel, and clutch for the trans go together...)

I was hoping for more specifics, (hopefully from someone who has done it before) before I order $500+ worth of parts.

[dirty30]

it bolts on, you can re use an M20 flywheel/ clutch/ PP but you will have to get an E36 slave cylinder, E36 pilot bearing and some other stuff

BUT!!

You are in luck because I just pulled a ZF320 out of my 89 325i and have the slave cylinder, shift carrier and trans mount bracket with poly mounts... PM me if you want it and we can work out a price.

[Panici]

it bolts on, you can re use an M20 flywheel/ clutch/ PP but you will have to get an E36 slave cylinder, E36 pilot bearing and some other stuff

BUT!!

You are in luck because I just pulled a ZF320 out of my 89 325i and have the slave cylinder, shift carrier and trans mount bracket with poly mounts... PM me if you want it and we can work out a price.

Can you be more specific about the "other stuff"?

I'm having a friend pick the parts up from the USA for me, and he's not inclined to make a second trip if there's anything I miss.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I'm pretty sure my m20b20 had a 320 on it

[dirty30]

Can you be more specific about the "other stuff"?

I'm having a friend pick the parts up from the USA for me, and he's not inclined to make a second trip if there's anything I miss.

E36 M3 slave cylinder
E36 M3 pilot bearing
E36 328 driveshaft
*I think* E36 shift carrier/ selector rod (its slightly shorter)
You will have to make a trans bracket but can use any trans mounts e30 or whatever

The main bolts line up, the lower smaller ones do not so you only end up having about 4 bolts total holding the trans on besides the starter bolts.

I think that about covers it.

[SmokeE30]

Can you be more specific about the "other stuff"?

I'm having a friend pick the parts up from the USA for me, and he's not inclined to make a second trip if there's anything I miss.

Basically you will need the trans mount for the ZF and a custom shifter( modified ZF stuff should work) and a large guibo drive shaft or a revshift adaptor quibo. Then up front a ZF pilot bearing and slave, and either the whole clutch flywheel and starter setup from the m20 or m52 you can't mix and match starters and flywheels between the two.

Why not just put the m52 in with it?

[dirty30]

Basically you will need the trans mount for the ZF

The stock trans mount will not work, you have to use a custom made unit... or buy mine.

[Panici]

Basically you will need the trans mount for the ZF and a custom shifter( modified ZF stuff should work) and a large guibo drive shaft or a revshift adaptor quibo. Then up front a ZF pilot bearing and slave, and either the whole clutch flywheel and starter setup from the m20 or m52 you can't mix and match starters and flywheels between the two.

Why not just put the m52 in with it?

I'd rather not pull out the healthy, original M20 that has only 150k km on it, to replace it with an M52 of questionable origin.
Besides the fact that a motor swap is a lot more work then a tranny swap.

So if I use my M52 starter, I can use an M52 clutch and flywheel setup?

I don't have the driveshaft from the 528i that I pulled the trans out of. It would probably be too long anyways.
So what your saying is that I would need a driveshaft from an E36 328i or E36 M3?

There's no way to make my '86 325e driveshaft work?

The stock trans mount will not work, you have to use a custom made unit... or buy mine.

Is this the same bracket that you'd use with an M5x swap? The trans physically sits the same behind the M20 and M5x?

[dirty30]

I'd rather not pull out the healthy, original M20 that has only 150k km on it, to replace it with an M52 of questionable origin.
Besides the fact that a motor swap is a lot more work then a tranny swap.

So if I use my M52 starter, I can use an M52 clutch and flywheel setup?

I don't have the driveshaft from the 528i that I pulled the trans out of. It would probably be too long anyways.
So what your saying is that I would need a driveshaft from an E36 328i or E36 M3?

There's no way to make my '86 325e driveshaft work?





Is this the same bracket that you'd use with an M5x swap? The trans physically sits the same behind the M20 and M5x?

Not sure on the E driveshaft and the ZF sits at a really funny angle. I know there is a mount for the getrag with a 24V motor but again I am not sure if it works with the M20/ ZF combo.

[Panici]

bump.

I want to order parts tomorrow if possible. Any other input you guys have would be great!

[SmokeE30]

Not sure on the E driveshaft and the ZF sits at a really funny angle. I know there is a mount for the getrag with a 24V motor but again I am not sure if it works with the M20/ ZF combo.

You could use a revshift adapter to adapt your driveshaft to fit the ZF or use a shaft from
E30 m3
E30 325e 87-88
E36 m3 (4bolt style)
E36 328i(4bolt style)

[SmokeE30]

The stock trans mount will not work, you have to use a custom made unit... or buy mine.

You have a custom mount made for ZF behind m20? I'm kinda confused trying to think if a g260 swap mount would work backwards to put a ZF on a m20 but a ZF trans mount does fit in e30s when in conjunction with a 24v or m42