E30 M50 6spd Swap

[Sugondese]

Hello all,

I just made my account on r3v today.. anyway,

I would like to swap an m50 into my e30. I would like to use a 6spd transmission but dont like the 420g. It's too expensive and too diffiicult to work on.

From here, my options are a gs6-37bz (6pd from e90 330i) or a gs6-53bz (6spd from e90 m3). Obviously i would like to choose the one from the m3/335i because they are abundant and relatively cheap. I know I would need a different driveshaft.

For reference, a zf302z (e36 m3 5spd) on an m50 in an e30 needs a 96-98 manual 328i driveshaft. A 420g needs an automatic driveshaft from the same year and model.

So my question to you is: What driveshaft and center support bearing do i need to use with an m50 swapped e30 with the gs6-53bz trans out of an e90 m3/335i? and i need the "bz" trans for gasoline engines, correct? Thank you!

[cwlo]

I'm not sure the M3 trans will fit without tunnel modification. The 330i 6 speed fits with minimal space.

[Sugondese]

I'm not sure the M3 trans will fit without tunnel modification. The 330i 6 speed fits with minimal space.

I believe the trans from the e90 335i should fit. Not entirely sure though. the 330i trans you suggested.. from e46 or e90?

[lukeADE335i]

Unless you're looking at a turbo monster, the gs6-37 will be more than strong enough for an M50. I have the gs6-37dz in my 320d and have found it to be excellent.

You could play withe the rear end ratio suit the M50 - plenty of e30 ratios to make it work for the petrol, but probably the 3.25 would fun (or you could go longer to help with first gear or shorter if you want it to use the M50 revs in the low gears).

The diesel engines sit at a similar angle to the M20 engines, so the swap would be similar to running a Getrag 260 from the M20 behind the M50; not that difficult.