The semi-Comprehensive M60b40 into E30 swap Q&A

[mkcman17]

i'm putting in my order for a clutch this week. if i'm planning to use either a b30 or m/s62 240mm flywheel with a 5spd, i can use an m52 clutch and PP, right?

also, for the 6spd, would it be possible to pair a 6spd clutch with an m52 pp? or would the stack heights be wrong?

[The Dark Side of Will]

S62's are dual VANOS and dual row chain. While the heads would bolt on, you'd be in for a lot of frankensteining parts to make them work. Also, the S62 has a cam position sensor at the back end of each cam, so you'd have to mix/match those to work with some other engine management.

The M60/2 intake manifold won't bolt to the S62 intake ports.

[mkcman17]

Alright, almost ready to go find my motor. it's like picking the best looking tree for christmas!

With the increased availability of m62s at the wreckers in my area, i'm considering NV 4.4 now. however, I have a harness from a manual 530. I'm sure it's been covered before, but are the two compatible or is my harness only good for m60s because of the trigger location?

also, I have access to a set of s62 heads sans ITBs...are they of any use in either application?

[Mr. Burns]

Yep. I purchased it off eBay. It used a new oem disc. The pressure plate was powder coated red and had stronger clamping springs installed. That was the only difference.

I remember comming across this aswell, and it was the the lower end in terms of cost.
now I can't seem to find it ffs.

so you're saying this is actually tested and true?

if so f'kya!

[JGood]

Yep. I purchased it off eBay. It used a new oem disc. The pressure plate was powder coated red and had stronger clamping springs installed. That was the only difference.

If you happen to come across the brand name or find one offered for sale, let me know. I searched quite a bit and came up empty handed. Do you remember what the price was?

[BoostinEuros]

A 'stage 2' m60b30 clutch? I've never seen anything other then stock 530i clutch.

Yep. I purchased it off eBay. It used a new oem disc. The pressure plate was powder coated red and had stronger clamping springs installed. That was the only difference.

[JGood]

I have the special tool required for m60 flywheel removal if anyone would like to rent it. Fwiw, I used a m60b40 mated to a m60b30 flywheel and "stage 2" clutch from eBay with good results. Iirc, the b30 flywheel is a bit lighter than it's b40 counterpart. I was able to rev match downshift pretty easily.

A 'stage 2' m60b30 clutch? I've never seen anything other then stock 530i clutch.

[BoostinEuros]

I have the special tool required for m60 flywheel removal if anyone would like to rent it. Fwiw, I used a m60b40 mated to a m60b30 flywheel and "stage 2" clutch from eBay with good results. Iirc, the b30 flywheel is a bit lighter than it's b40 counterpart. I was able to rev match downshift pretty easily.

[mkcman17]

time/money is probably only going to let me move on one of my projects this year...debating selling my ZF 5-spd to fund my ix manual swap. would anyone be seriously interested in it?

[Wanganstyle]

the M60b30 will be a ZF 240 type pp. shows 6 bolts mounting the pp to the flywheel. Just like S52.

v8/v12 flywheels of m60/62 era seem to all be 9 bolt pattern to crankshaft.
I6 flywheels of m50/m52 era are 8 bolts to crankshaft.

e39m and e46m share friction disc compatibility. 10 spline biggie sized
m52 and e34 530i use 10 spline small imput shaft for transmission. Shared between big displacement I6 and small V8.

I would speculate that a ZF 320 5 speed clutch set for an s52 would be directly compatible.

if you ran a 5 speed e34 530i gearbox I would bet that with its original dual mass fly any S52 compatible pressure plate and clutch would work.

if one finds a e39 540i dual mass flywheel (240mm self adjusting) the pressure plate from a e60 545i or 550i / e90/92 335i turbo would most likely be a compatible choice with a 10 spline center friction disc for small ZF5 speed.

the S62 OEM clutch and flywheel may also be a worthwhile option as it is 240mm standard, pair with v8 5 speed zf friction disc for 5mt use.

One can probably build 400rwhp worth of clutch from OEM bits.

[mkcman17]

I have access to a b30 flywheel, but no bolt tool. my buddy is a moderator at e36tech - I could probably get a used m3 pp to test fit easily.

[bmwmech1]

Yup, the use of the E39 lightweight flywheel was the determining factor here. If someone has access to an M60B30 OEM flywheel and wants to try different PP options, then there might be some info to be learned and other possibilities to be explored. I wouldn't expect everyone to want or be able to afford a lightweight flywheel. Other avenues could be investigated and options uncovered. Bruce did a favor for all of us in his trailblazing of the 5 speed install. Others can follow suit, if they are inclined. That's why we're all here.;)

Garey

[BruceBe]

Nope. I had no interest in using a stock M60B30 flywheel, and no one makes a lightweight replacement.

-Bruce

[mkcman17]

was this ever followed up? if a b30 pp could be verified to bolt onto an s52 flywheel, couldn't the reverse also be applied?

The M60B30 pressure plate will *not* bolt up to the e39 JBR flywheel. Once again, the locating dowels are spaced too far apart. I don't have an e36m3 flywheel, but I would bet that the M60B30 pressure plate would bolt right up to it. For those interested in the actual numbers, the M60B30 dowel holes are on a ~276mm BCD, while the e39 has dowel holes on a ~262mm BCD. Both e39 and e34 dowels seem to be nominally 10mm in diameter.

[BruceBe]

I believe and correct me if I'm wrong here Bruce, that the issues are the stack height of the components and the mounting locations of the PP, not the diameter of the friction disc. I'm not sure how many different clutch kits Bruce actually purchased and tried in his R&D. If an E36, 328i owner is swapping into an M3 clutch setup with no mods and no ill effects, I would assume that the same would hold true for us 5 speed/V8 guys...

Garey

Correct, as to what I checked. If I recall, the M3 clutch setup had a different pressure-plate bolt-circle diameter than the E39 flywheel (which is obviously compatible with the M52 pressure plate). So, I would guess that any M52->M3 clutch swap would involve a flywheel change. And if that's the case, what flywheel would you use with the V8? (don't expect the 6-cylinder flywheel to bolt-up :-) ).

-Bruce