Which drive shaft will I need?

[kylebes1]

When I drop the m50, engine and transmission, what drive shaft will I need?

I will prbably have to use my 84 3.91 small case for a little while and change it later, will that make a difference?

Also would this be the same for the m52? I am get the alloy block instead of the iron m50.

[aaron_silva]

I dont think the small case will last very long.

With the m50 tranny, I believe you need the e30 M3 drive shaft.

On Topic: With the Getrag 260, what drive shaft do you use?

Thanks

Aaron

[kylebes1]

the diff is only temp. it is the one that is on my car now. I was thinking about a 3.25 LSD, I drive mostly highway, and If i get into tracking much I will buy a lower LSD.

I thought aobut using teh getrag 260, but you have to modify the mounting brakets.

The exhuast mods will be enough for me to deal with!! I am doing all the owrk over Christmas break.

[Brew]

On Topic: With the Getrag 260, what drive shaft do you use?

Thanks

Aaron

I've been told the stock driveshaft works. This is what I'm planning on doing.

[kylebes1]

i have the early e30 and it has a solid driveshaft, will the e30 m3 have the support bearing or is that for auto cars?

[Bill 84 318i]

i have the early e30 and it has a solid driveshaft, will the e30 m3 have the support bearing or is that for auto cars?

You have the same two piece driveshaft as all other e30's. In design anyway, the length is a little different.

[JasonH]

With the Getrag 260, you can use the stock E30 driveshaft. Otherwise, the conventional wisdom is that you use the E30 M3 driveshaft. I have, however, seen a board member use a standard E30 driveshaft by modifying the flange at the flex disc.

[kylebes1]

how intensive is the modification for the transmission bracket if I use the getrag 260? I kinda want the .81 fifth of the getrag, instead of the 1.00 on the m50 transmission.

Also if I use the m52 alloy block will this all be the same?

[JasonH]

The modifications to the tranny bracket really aren't that difficult if you have access to a welding set-up or someone who can weld for you. I went as far as to make a completely custom tranny bracket, but that isn't necessary.

As for the M52 block...That is the block that I used and I had to slightly modify the 260 bell housing (i.e., drill). I couldn't tell you if that is the same for the M50 block or not, but I could certainly ask one of the other local guys who did that.

[RedBaron86325]

Stay with the old Getrag. Although my ZF is working just fine, the feel of the old Getrag is better, AND, you won't have to modify or buy a different drive shaft. My ZF is a 1:1 5th gear and I had to swap a 3.15lsd to go along with it. I can feel/understand how the E36 crowd frequents the "money shift". Some day, when it is time for a clutch change, I'll probably yank the ZF and re-install the grimey Getrag.

JasonH's tranny support bracket is pretty sweet looking and stronger than....well, it is the last thing on the car that would ever break.

[kylebes1]

did you make an attmpt at the factory one?

I wish some one had one (for the getrag) to sell me.

What is the lightest flywheel fot he m52? I am bent on getting alloy block, more power, less weight than the m50, so what the hell, local guess tell me i'll spend 400 more with all the accesroies, a trans and OBD1