Dogleg gearbox

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
SHAKEELE30
Boost Junkie
Posts: 3272
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: CROYDON

Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:33 pm

Just want to be sure that the dogleg geabox is the when the reverse gear is above the 1st.?? If so ......

Wondering if the m3 dogleg gearbox would fit straight into a 325, does this have any advantages/disadvantages.

Has anyone done this to their car...
jmc330i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6621
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Somerset

Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:50 pm

Dogleg gear pattern....
Image


Im fairly sure the E30 M3 box wont fit an M20 engine (not without a lot of work anyway).
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
darkchild
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2730
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Kingston 12

Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:06 pm

Some early 323i's had a dogleg box which will fit a 325i as far as I know. It all depends on how you drive as to whether its worthwhile. The ratios are closer (5th gear is in effect 4th compared to the standard box). Fuel economy will plummet!

Don't know about the M3 box but these can occassionally be found in E28's (optional on 528i, 535i and M535i). A potential bargain from a breaker not in the know!
jbh
Hartge Crew
Posts: 3963
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: denny
Contact:

Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:52 pm

will the e21 323 dogleg box fit an e30 ? ive noticed the gear linkage is diffrent but is it possible?
Ant
Retired Team Member
Retired Team Member
Posts: 10496
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: PD+E dept :D
Contact:

Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:12 pm

the D/Leg box is probably the weakest in the range, so IMHO not worth the bother unless you really must have the oddball unit, or a l;egitimate reason for needing one.

given the need to run a 3.45 final drive to get anything like 20 mpg outa the car, I think best left well alone.

should you come across one that's cheap and not fubarred, buy it and serve it to a victim on Ebay.

Harsh ? perhaps, but it's DEAD money guys.
Product Development and Endurance for Delphi.

Original performance chips, original works not unlicensed copies :D Email FTW
User avatar
Bim
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 11:00 pm

Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:37 am

M3 C/R will not fit onto 325I,
Depending on what year your car is (motronic pick-ups on front pully or in bell housing?)

Front pully pick-up, the E21 will bolt up but you would have to screw with linkage/propshaft and
block off speedo drive. and the C/R dog leg from 323i E30 will fit right in if you can find one.

Bellhousing pick-up's, some of the Chrome bumper 325i sports had a close ratio box (but in a normal H pattern).
SHAKEELE30
Boost Junkie
Posts: 3272
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: CROYDON

Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:39 am

ok thanks for the help and info guys...
ANT- its not really important just thought i'd find out if it would fit..

Just like the dogleg pattern, something different but as you say its too much hassle, and i cant be asked with that at the moment...
JungleGus
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 985
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London

Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:02 pm

use the 323i one and a reasonable diff and you will be ok, it is a decent gearbox

interesting to hear your thoughts ant, tend to agree its not that great, it is a good mod though. only bad side is most are old and filthy and sloppy as opposed to a FL box.

ive got one on a pallet downstairs being picked up today..yay!
e21Jason
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2040
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Dubai, UAE

Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:23 pm

Hi

With a manaul bellhousing from a us spec 528e e28 you can fit any 265 box

Jason
Post Reply