BMW e30 Manual Swap How-To Part 1
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2019
- Here is the first of a two part tutorial in pulling and replacing a automatic transmission e30 with a 5 speed transmission from another e30. Below are the parts you can cut to and the required tools. This video explains the major (and some minor) steps to swapping your e30 with a manual transmission. Part Two will include the actual installation, along with wiring, shift linkage and other things.
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Remove The Exhaust: 5:20
Removing Heat Shielding: 6:29
Removing Driveshaft: 7:22
Removing the Transmission: 11:16
Tools Needed:
Exhaust:
14mm Socket
13 mm Socket
Heat Shielding/Cross Brace:
13mm Socket
10mm Socket
Driveshaft:
17mm Socket
17mm Wrench
13mm Socket
Transmissions Cooler Lines (Unverified)
21mm Wrench
30mm Wrench
Transmission Bell Housing:
E10 Socket
E12 Socket
E14 Socket
10mm Socket
Many, many extensions... Would also pay to invest in a CV style wobble
Lower Pan:
13mm Socket
Torque Converter:
18mm Socket
Pedals:
13mm Socket
Slave Cylinder line (Master Clutch to Slave Cylinder)
12mm Wrench
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We Are not liable for any damage your vehicle sustains or any mistakes/injuries while working on your vehicle. Always wear the appropriate safety gear when dealing with hazards. This is merely a video for entertainment purposes only. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
This channel is so underrated. The amount of info makes me feel like doing these jobs is simple.
Help us spread the word! Much appreciated!
i think ive watched this about 15 times to prep for my swap
Appreciate the views my guy. Get it done.
Damn man! I appreciate all the info. I keep watching this as I’m doing my swap. Thank you!
Excellent video , pro mechanic with years of experience gives the very best tutorial on the E30 manual swap .
He reminds me of the Future Soldier named Reese in the 1984 Film Terminator who goes back in time to keep humans safe from the sky net android.
Dude keep these e30 videos rolling, they're badass. Hoping to manual swap my e30 by the end of the year
Did you do it? Im planning on doing mine
As many times as I've done manual swaps on these and other cars, I enjoy watching your guys content that much that I still watch them. If this kind of useful information was out there when I was starting out turning wrenches (around 25 years ago,) it would've been so much easier and reassuring. You guys do a great service to hobbyists, DIY people, and generally anyone who wants to learn. Hats off to you all for that. To top it off, you guys seem like the most chill and awesome people. I would love to hang out and get sloshed with you fellas. Hell, if I lived even remotely close, I'd kill to work in a shop like yours. Its something about being surrounded by folks that share the same passion as you do. I'm all the way out on the east coast, and while there is some great shops, they are really spread out. Great video. The people who are trying to learn about these cars should pay hommage to these dudes. Very, very cool and generous people!!!
Thank you so much! Those are very kind words and we are pumped on your enthusiasm and support!!! This is exactly the kind of environment we are trying to cultivate!
Just finished my swap the other day and your videos were a big help! Thanks DBO!
This is a fantastic resource! Thank you.
Great content! Thanks for the parts list required!
Thank you for the best explanation I’ve found so far
Chris in the background is internet gold
Another brilliant video
Would watch e30 videos all day if i could.
Just have my e30 325sport running after 10 years in the shed.
So i have a lot of work to do and these videos are much appreciated
Thanks.
Cool dog too !
Thanks man! We’re filming a little e30 action today too so stay tuned 😉
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL sweet.
Pal, you have the best content video no BS just a pure information. Well done
Thanks man!
Man, great video. I'm going to do this swap over the winter and will reference this video a lot!
Thanks! milehigheuros@gmail.com if you have any questions!
I so wish you was local, had always wanted to do this to my 88 325i
Thanks for the video , BIG HELP!
Happy to help!
Best explanation ever! Good job! Now, if I could just get you to come to florida, find a good donor car, do all the work that would be great😆
Sure man. I do traveling house calls haha
Wow thabks for all that! Will be changing an auto soon. Mine was slipping
Looking to do this to my e28 soon. I believe the process is real similar. Thanks so much! Sub’d and looking forward to watching more of you vids 👍🏽🤙🏽💪🏽
Thanks for the support!
your videos are the best technical e30 content on the internet. I have no idea how I haven't seen this channel before with the amount of time i've spent googling e30 bullshit. please consider making a video showing an m60 swap - preferably into an '87 325e... i'd love to know more:)
Funny you ask.... we ARE doing that swap soon! More specifically Hamish is building his own car and that is his chassis/engine of choice. He is using an m60b44
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL If you could find some time in the video to talk about whether buying a whole 540i parts car is a good route, that'd be cool. Thanks for the reply, your channel just needs to get picked up by youtube algorithms
LOVED the mini-series. You are really great at proficiently explaining things to the point where this looks so simple (Im sure is compared to a modern car). Anyways, Im curious. How many hours does a manual swap take you to do without the cameras? Im wondering how much time it should take a proficient e30 tech to do this job as a general idea to see how much it would cost me if I took it to a shop with the exhaust and old auto trans pulled and all the parts ready to go. Thanks, Keep it up man!
Quite honestly, it is entirely dependent upon what level of attention to detail you want lol.... there was a day when i removed all auto components from an e36 m3 and a manual e36m3 and had the recieving car swapped and driving out of the shop in 4.5hrs BUT if youre doing this once and doing it right, expect around 12 hours if replacing wear items and torquing to spec, using loctite... etc. -will
Sweeeeeeet! Do you by chance recommend any good LUTS for editing in post production? I just got the Mavic Pro 2 & I'm excited to see how the footage looks! I'm trying to find some great LUTS for the drone footage. 😀
A good 500# less than a e36 325i that certainly makes a big difference. Will a 96 M-3 differential fit in the e30. Have a 99 323 coupe with the M-3 rear end no problem getting 2nd to chirp with the stock M-52 engine. That was until the the clutch bearing separated. Haven't found space to work on it yet. Also have a 94 325i no clutch lot's of miles but that car pulled a 2000# trailer like a champ and still handled like the sports sedan that it is. After seeing this video I really can't crush that 94 325i anymore somebody needs it if I can't fix it. It was pulling that trailer strong with enough miles on it to drive to the moon if there was road to it.
Great info, thank you. I have an auto 86 e28 and assume it’s pretty much the same deal. In terms of late and early model you refered to pre 87 as early and also pre 91/92 as early … what’s the latest manual I can use to swap into my 86?
Hey great vids, have a question about the pedals. At 26:47 the bottom part of the clutch spring perch isnt present on the auto pedal bracket. How would you attach the clutch spring if you needed an airbag manual setup but only have a late auto bracket and an early non airbag pedal setup. Is the clutch spring necessary? Doesnt seem like they are interchangable. You would need another manual bracket im finding out so thats kinda rough :/
Huge thanks for this video! Can’t wait for part 2! Two questions for you, I have an 86 E, what years are ok to pull from and would a transmission from a 5 series work?
Only trans from a 5 series that will work is a 528e e28. The rest (big 6) have different bell housing and input shaft depths. All other 3 series transmissions can be used all the way from early 80's to now, only thing that changes is the angle of the trans which can be rectified with a different crossmember, 12* bend in shift selector rod and a different driveshaft.
Also, part 2 is out! It’s the video right after this one, roughly ~11 minutes
Denver Beer & Oil just watched, thanks again for this it’s great! Now just need to source the parts!
Hi DBO, I have a 89 325is that im thinking of converting to manual. Got a used manual tranny that came out of 86 325es according to the owner. The box that i got came with a different shifter carrier its got a plate thats bolted on the rear of the tranny not like the same one on your video. Can use this box and shifter or i got a wrong tranny? Cause theres no way i can use the same shifter carrier that you have on your video. The tranny i got doesnt have the hole to put the bitch pin to mount the carrier. Thanks and keep up the great videos.
Hello, how are you? I swapped the m50 with a getrag 260 box and I needed to have an m40 cob motor with the same box.
When installing the engine, the box went further back because of the engine, which is longer, I adapted the transmission, but now I am stuck in the medudas of the selector rods that were long and I cannot get them where I live.
And I would like to know if you know what size the shorter rods have to adapt the ones it has and so I stay more focused on the selector system, please, I would appreciate it, greetings, very good videos
Are you suppose to reinstall the bracket and tighten the front sway arms back up after you’ve installed the desired transmission. Or can you go without that bracket?
The thrust bracket you mention at 19.20.
Do I need that as the bolt has snapped on in my engine block so its gonna be a pain in the butt.
Can I just leave that bracket off ?
Super good info man! Curious though, Looks like similar parts and everything, how close is this swap to a 95 540i 6speed? Only difference I see is that addition to a trans cooler
Process is the same. Tools/bolts/parts are slightly different. We have done those too.
I got a manual driveshaft missing bolts and nuts on the transmission side. Can i use the bolts from my auto trans? How about the bolts to mount to engine? Can i reuse bolts from auto trans?
Are the clutch pedals different between right hand and left hand drive e30s?
Awesome video man, could I use a early model 318 transmission on a early model 325e? I'm getting a little mixed up on compatibility when ordering the driveshaft. Thank you so much dude.
Thanks man! The I and E e30s only have an interchangeable rear section of the driveshaft. You’ll need a transmission from an ‘e’ if you’re going to be using an ‘e’ driveshaft. Feel free to ask more questions! We’re happy to help
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL Fantastic, thank you so much for the information. Have a great day!
@@giandanielfaccini9512 sorry for the confusion, Hamish replied.. he is good but in this particular instance he is not right. The early cars had m10 motors which use a deeper input shaft depth and are not compatible with m20's.
-will
Question I did my swap but used the stock pedal assembly without the help spring. I bled the system (still need to add a little fluid) but the clutch pedal is not returning. Is it because I need more fluid or I have to used the pedal assembly bracket from the donor car. Thanks for the help
Having a similar issue theres no perch for the clutch spring on the auto pedals
@@andrewg2322 I was able to stiffen the pedal. It took alot of bleeding but it worked out without the helper spring
I have a problem with driveshaft, my car vibrating, I replaced the central bearing for the automátic driveshaft, maybe this is the problem?
whats the part number for the spring clip mentioned @31:37 I can't seem to find it
I eventually want to upgrade my engine. Can I just go with s5d 320z transmission? What would I need to do differently? Thanks!
I would recommend sticking with the g260 unless you're running a really big power m20 that brings torque on VERY fast. Not worth the headache. It is possible but lots of little things make it more trouble than it's worth.
Hey DBO! just found your chanel after purchasing a couple of e30's to get back in the game!!
When you say you don't recommend swapping a 4 cylinder gearbox into a 6 cylinder because of the power difference.
Would the power difference in a stock 6 cylinder engine still affect the gearbox quality from the 4 cylinder if i were to convert it??
Just get a 6cil gearbox
It will technically work and handle stock m20 power, but an m10 trans is the wrong bellhousing and will not bolt up. the m42 trans will bolt up, but will be clocked 12 degrees off and will require a different driveshaft and shift linkage. get a 6-cylinder trans. It will make life so much easier.
The trany is shorter too
How did you guys get the trans off without removing the torque converter? I am trying to drop the trans but it seems like there is not enough clearance in the tunnel for the spline to separate from the torque converter
Trying lifting the front of the engine to get a little more clearance
I just picked up a free SETA engine with gearbox/pedalbox and drive shaft. Thinking of just putting the trans in since the SETA motor (according to po) is not running and he didnt have the ecu.
Would this be a direct swap into a 325e?
More or less, yes. Or I'll buy the engine off you lol
DBO sold the bottom end to a friend 😅
Also traded the trans for an earlier model one. Im missing the shifter plate i believe.
The trans that came with the Seta did not have the 2 holes for the cps. (Had 1346, traded for a 1270, the numbers on side of trans)
Cant seem to find the shifter plate online. Any recommendations?
I also still have the Head/intake if youre interested. Im located in SoCal though
does anyone know if a driveshaft pulled off an 88 325i (diving board) would work with early 325i trans? Im confused b/c the early/late cutoff seems to be june 88, and they were kind of mismatched when it came to early and late features during that year.
If you're using an 'i' you should be able to use and I driveshaft
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL wow thanks so much, i was stressing . looking forward to your future videos man
What do I do with the automatic trans lines and the radiator? Do those lines need to get bypassed and the radiator plugged?
If you don’t plan on re selling the trans or lines, we usually cut them at the trans end and radiator end then snake them through and throw them away. If you go this route make sure you have a drain pan handy or something as the radiator will leak trans fluid for a few days
DBO thanks for the prompt reply! So there’s no problem leaving the radiator end unplugged? I was assuming that after disconnecting the hoses at radiator end there would be a continuous leak of trans fluid unless plugged. Glad I stumbled across your videos you make it look so easy! Can’t wait to start my swap
I have e30 1991
It's has come to me asking this question 4yrs after this video came out but I really need some help. Can you convert thee engine coming off a manual 1989 325i to an automatic 1989 325i? If so how? I'm stuck when it comes to formatting past the transmission part 😭
You need an automatic harness.
I have an 87 325e and I’m trying to swap it to manual, do you think the process would be similar?
it is exactly the same process, except the "e" models have a big guibo and "i" models have a smaller one. So just male sure your new driveshaft matches your new trans.
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL huge thanks for the video, im gonna have some fun trying to find parts for it
are you able to swap 1988 325e transmission on to a 1989 325i engine?
Yes
Can I put a 325is computer if I’m doing a 2.7 l conversion for my 325es 86? Or do I need a 325i computer since the engine was from a 325i
"is" and "i" use the same computer.
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL ohhh thank you !!!!
Hi i would like to ask for some advice if you would be available to help me with my e30 318i with automatic transmission. I want to do engine swap m52 with automatic transmission what do i need to get to make it fit?
You'll need everything from an e36 pretty much. Engine, harness, driveshaft, computers...etc and the usual E30 swap components. Watch my video on how to s52 swap your E30 it will answer most of your questions. It's titled "s52 E30 swap from start to finish"
@@DENVERBEERANDOIL hi thank you for your reply i do have complete engine and box wiring and ecu plus half prop shaft
I just need to know do i need to get anything modify to connect the driveshaft with my e30 differential
La trasmissione delle e36 va bene per le e30?
the transmission of the e36 is good for the e30?
It can work, but you will need custom shiftinkage because the transmission will be clocked 12 degrees off.
Is this the same concept for an e28?
Yes, practically identical.
How difficult would this be to do without a lift?
COMPLETELY doable.
Is an e36 transmission compatible with e30?
The bellhosuing is clocked 12 degrees, but people make it work
How do I remove the driveshafts on the iX? Cant figure it out
Would you do a manual swap for me if I paid you of course?