ZF320 shifter linkage differences?

[Italian_Tuneup]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here, and totally new to BMW's. Life long Fiat and Alfa guy. Anyhow, my wife loves E30s, and I love M60B40s so I am taking the plunge doing a swap. I thought I had a complete e34 530i donor lined up, but I couldn't close the deal in time. I'm going with the 5 speed route, and I've found an E34 ZF 320, but it includes no shift linkage. Can the shift linkage off a 6 cylinder (or other) ZF320 be used on the E34 M60 ZF 320? I tried searching but didn't see anything specific.

Coming from the Fiat and Alfa world, the amount of parts support for these cars is mind boggling, but I couldn't find the linkage anywhere new. Any info is appreciated, and sorry if this is a total noob question.

In case it matters, its going into a 85 325e automatic. THANKS~

[dasmanschaft012]

Which shift linkage part? theres a few.

[wworm]

I'd recommend buying Franks M60 swap guide, I bought his m30 swap guide (never ended up doing that swap) and there was a whole section about shift linkage options. I would assume he did the same with the m60. Just shoot him a PM on here about it.

click for torque

[Italian_Tuneup]

I'd recommend buying Franks M60 swap guide, I bought his m30 swap guide (never ended up doing that swap) and there was a whole section about shift linkage options. I would assume he did the same with the m60. Just shoot him a PM on here about it.

click for torque

Thanks for the info, I'll download that.

[Jean]

Welcome to r3v!

As far as the shifter goes, one way to do this is to use the early style shifter console and modify it to bolt directly to the trans tunnel from the top. Then all you have to do is modify the length of the selector rod once the trans is in the car to get the shifter perfectly centered or how you like it.

[Italian_Tuneup]

Welcome to r3v!

As far as the shifter goes, one way to do this is to use the early style shifter console and modify it to bolt directly to the trans tunnel from the top. Then all you have to do is modify the length of the selector rod once the trans is in the car to get the shifter perfectly centered or how you like it.

Thanks for the welcome, I am looking forward to getting my hands dirty on some bavarian stuff...

I had seen something about the body mounted shifter.... my first thought was that it would transmit a lot of noise and vibration through the body... any truth to that? Or that the powertrain moving slightly would put undue pressure on transmission internals.... like people that drive with their arm resting on the shifter....

[Jean]

Yeah probably does transfer some , I don’t remember as I’ve been running bolt through engine and trans mounts on both swaps . The trans with the selector rod is attached to the bottom of the shift rod , there are no other attachment points between the back end of the trans and the shifter / trans tunnel . So it can still move , but I use bolt through mounts for trans and engine to keep them from moving around .. I don’t mind the vibrations as it’s not a daily though