E28 Transmission Swap from E30?

[Northern]

I have a trans from an '88 325is (P/N 23001221205) and I'm looking to put it in an '88 528e (should have P/N 23001221206)

No 528e came from the factory with this trans P/N, but some e30s were produced using the e28's transmission P/N.

Anyone know if it will fit/ what would need to be done to make it work?

[nrubenstein]

It will not work. The eta engine requires bell housing mounted sensors.

[Northern]

Really! I would've assumed that the 5er would've switched away from motronic 1.0 the same time or earlier than the e30 did. This trans does have the castings for the sensors, so its only a matter of drilling and tapping them I guess.

Any other reasons? I saw some threads about clutch slave depth, and some about swapping the output flange (assuming guibo size differences?)

[ethrty]

driveshaft will need to be modified as will shifter. not sure about what clutch setup to use, but they are both M20 engines so should be the same. have never run into the crank position sensor issue before personally, but am aware of the issue.

at least the bolt housing lines up with the block so from there anything is possible

[Northern]

driveshaft needs to be modified because it is a large guibo and the e30 i g260 is a small guibo trans? can I swap the output flange easily? or is there a different overall length?

[ethrty]

driveshaft needs to be modified because it is a large guibo and the e30 i g260 is a small guibo trans? can I swap the output flange easily? or is there a different overall length?

It is possible to swap depending on your skill level. however i personally wouldnt do the job. for example i have done engine and manual conversions etc before, but i would not tackle this. some things are best left to pro's, so by saying that I recommend purchasing the correct trans, or alternatively get it done professionally

[evoe46m3]

Really! I would've assumed that the 5er would've switched away from motronic 1.0 the same time or earlier than the e30 did. This trans does have the castings for the sensors, so its only a matter of drilling and tapping them I guess.

Any other reasons? I saw some threads about clutch slave depth, and some about swapping the output flange (assuming guibo size differences?)

What tranny is in the car right now ? Just go look at the engine. If its a m1.1 or 1.3 it will have the engine speed sensor on the timing cover and you can use the tranny. Being an 88 I would assume its a super eta which had m1.3. Its not that hard to change output flanges. I have done it before.

probably the hardest thing is taking off the nut. If you have air tools its easy. After that you just have to use a puller.

[Wanganstyle]

Really! I would've assumed that the 5er would've switched away from motronic 1.0 the same time or earlier than the e30 did. This trans does have the castings for the sensors, so its only a matter of drilling and tapping them I guess.

Any other reasons? I saw some threads about clutch slave depth, and some about swapping the output flange (assuming guibo size differences?)

if e30 trans has the cast in ports for sensors than yes you can drill and tap to accomidate

compare the bellhouse depth when you get them both side to side and make sure the 528e does not have a thicker flywheel/clutch stack and deep bellhouse; if it does just install the e30 325e flywheel with reference sensor pickups - they come in shallow bellhousing models.

the G260 rear output flange is easily swapped with a 30mm thinwall deep socket; if you dont have one you can purchase on amazon inexpensively. mark the nut with a pain pen in a couple places and rember the drag its set at for field style swap. 325i uses a small guibo, if you can find a 325e transmission from 86/87 it will have both provisons for the flywheel reference sensors and the large guibo and provisons for both sheet metal and alloy shift carrier - my 04/87 build ETA did.

also see if your e28 has a metal plate style shifter and if the replacement gearbox has provisions to bolt it on-

[Northern]

Thanks for the info Wangan! This issue just came up again with another local e28.

[Robotin]

since you have an 88, which is considered a late model, the tranny will bolt up just fine.

you dont need to modify any driveshafts, just use the front half of whatever driveshaft has the matching guibo to your tranny. only issue i could see is that etas run off of a flywheel sensor, so you might need to convert to a late model CPS..

not hard at all...