Auto to manual

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

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
ammar786
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:00 pm

Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:43 pm

Hi fellas
I want to convert my cab from auto to manual
What do i need and how hard is it to do
Are there any guides i can follow

Anyhelp is much appreciated

Ammar
Topblag
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 7095
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Fife - You got a problem with that ?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:48 pm

You'll need a pedal box, gearbox, flywheel, clutch and clutch slave cylinder, gear knob and gaiter. It's a fair amount of work. I generally advice people to sell the car and buy a manual.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
User avatar
greg124
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 668
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: In the pub

Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:19 pm

Will the propshaft also be a different length?
Schadenfreude - the German's haven't got a word for that.
Quaser
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2622
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: West London

Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:20 pm

greg124 wrote:Will the propshaft also be a different length?
yes it is
BMW E30 2.0 Convertible (M52B28)
BMW E30 2.0 2 Door (M20B28 Turbo project to start)
BMW E36 328i Sport (M52B28 Turbo Project)
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=68663
Topblag
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 7095
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Fife - You got a problem with that ?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:46 pm

Yup, missed that. Think you only need the section to the centre bearing though. Missed the gear selector mechanism also. If it's a switchable auto, you may wish to change the boot liner setup to take the ecu cover out of the equation and also a replacement handbrake console without the switch.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
Grrrmachine
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
Posts: 8043
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:04 pm

There is a guide on doing this to give you an idea of what's involved. It's written for the M40 engine, but the same procedure applies to all E30s:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... _To_Manual

You do need to be physically in shape to take it on though
User avatar
ammar786
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:00 pm

Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:32 pm

Wow ok
I didnt know it would be that hard to do i thought it was common but obviously not
I dnt really want to sell my cab as i have done too much work on it but am bored of the auto box

How many man hours will it take to convert

Is it worth converting ??
capnmchl
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1141
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: Exeter, Devon

Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:47 pm

I wouldn't say it's that hard. You can definately do it in a weekend on stands if you know what you're doing.

The thing I found though was although I collected all the big bits I needed, there were a few smaller bits I wasn't aware of until I was halfway though it.

There's also the whole other thing of replacing stuff whilst you've got it out. That's where the real cost and time comes from. Renewing the gear linkage and a prop donut easily sees you another £100 over.

And even if you get all the big bits for cheap, a decent clutch is still going to be over £100, gearbox oil isn't cheap and a pair of clutch cylinders aren't cheap.

Only do it if you have the time and around £500.
User avatar
ammar786
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:00 pm

Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:58 pm

Well i can get all thebig bits like prop gearbox new clutch flywheel etc for around 150
Nd then for all the other parts ie linkages i have a donar car which is a manual

I just want to know if there are many issues changing from auto to manual
And weather its worth doing the change ??
User avatar
ammar786
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:00 pm

Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:45 pm

Is there any difference between facelift and prefacelift manual boxex
?
User avatar
78gizmo
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 265
Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Torbay, South Devon

Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:56 am

ammar786 wrote:Well i can get all thebig bits like prop gearbox new clutch flywheel etc for around 150
Nd then for all the other parts ie linkages i have a donar car which is a manual

I just want to know if there are many issues changing from auto to manual
And weather its worth doing the change ??
Dont forget a new spigot bearing (goes in the end of the crank on manuals). If you've got a doner car its all just straight swap stuff. I've done a couple, i dont swap the complete pedal box, just slide the shaft the pedals pivot on to one side, big brake pedal out and clutch and standard brake pedal on.
Post Reply