I searched - but couldn't find a great answer...

[Turf1600]

I need a new tranny for my 87 is.I found a good 5 speed but it's from an E car. Will it work or no? If not - what is required to make it work?

[JK_E30]

They are both the same.

[86espowa]

they will work.

all M20's use the Getrag 260, regardless of year or model.

though some of the transmissions (late models) dont have the flywheel position sensors on the transmission bell housing.

[JK_E30]

they will work.

all M20's use the Getrag 260, regardless of year or model.

though some of the transmissions (late models) dont have the flywheel position sensors on the transmission bell housing.

Yeah my 90 didnt have the sensors.. just less shit to mess with when dropping the tranny! haha.

[86espowa]

That might be the only problem you encounter as i do not know where you would plug them in at if your car has them.

[JK_E30]

That might be the only problem you encounter as i do not know where you would plug them in at if your car has them.

If his car has them then it wouldnt be a problem he said hes getting a tranny from and "e" which is an earlier year.. meaning it would have the holes for the sensors.. not the other way around.

[86espowa]

If he ended up buying a late model tranny, then it would be a problem.

the 87 325is needs those holes. i should know ;-)

[JK_E30]

If he ended up buying a late model tranny, then it would be a problem.

the 87 325is needs those holes. i should know ;-)

Yeah, but he said he has lined up an early model tranny then it should have the holes. So no need to bring in the fact of holes missing in the late model trannys. ;)

[Turf1600]

So, I should get the early tranny and it will bolt in no problem? The shifter is the same and everything?

[threlevenguy]

What's up with the shifter consoles? My 85 has a weird foaminess or something wher the actual shifter sits. but my 87 has the rubber boot. Is it the same tranny just different styles of consoles?

[JK_E30]

So, I should get the early tranny and it will bolt in no problem? The shifter is the same and everything?

Bolting on really isnt the problem, its where the two sensors plug in (lower bell housing driver side). Not too sure on all of them but the ones I have seen the early model trannys has the plug holes, but for instence on my late model the holes just look like they have been welded over..

I dont think it matters either way if the sensors are plugged or not... but im not positive.

As far as difference in the shifter lever, I am not sure, hopefully someone will post to provide us with that information.

But I believe that tranny you are looking at should be okay..

[86espowa]

the late model cars had a very sturdy aluminum console that held the pivot point of the shifter.

The early models got a foamy sheet metal console, that most people get rid of if they do any work to their shifter or tranny.

and psloan, yes it will bolt right in. no problems whatsoever.

and makeitrain, i was pointing out these facts for someone who might be in his situation, but considering a tranny from a late model. because i am sure not everyone knows that helpful piece of info.

[smonkbmw]

e model trans have a different mounting bracket at the top rear of the trans. itll bolt up and mount to the car, but you HAVE to make sure the bracket is there on the e trans. if it isnt pass, cause they dont make them anymore.

[86espowa]

A different mounting bracket for the shifter console?

[Rigmaster]

If he ended up buying a late model tranny, then it would be a problem.

the 87 325is needs those holes. i should know ;-)

The 87 is does NOT need the holes for the 2 reference sensors in the bellhousing- only eta's need those sensors.

To try to clarify the clutter- you can put an eta transmission in either an eta or an i of any year- there are some different size output flanges to be aware of though. Not a huge problem, you can just swap out the flange from your old tranny to the "new" one to match the driveshaft if this occurs.

You cannot install an "i" tranny in an eta- unless it's got the holes in the bellhousing for the 2 flywheel sensors. Many of the "i" trannies that I've seen have the casting for these holes, but they are not drilled out- if this is the case, you should be able to drill out these holes for the sensors- and I'm pretty sure you'll have to tap threads in the bolt holes that hold these sensors to the bellhousing.






Bret