auto to man conversion - advice needed

[superted]

im strongly thinking about changing my 325 cab from auto to man and want to know whats involved, what will fit from a 320 onto the 325? - box, flywheel, shaft etc. id love to hear from anyone that had done it so i know what to expect
ta all

[chu346]

I paid some sukka to do it and regret it. Keep it an auto! (If it's switchable)

[superted]

no its not switchable unfortualy

[Foomanchu]

Chu346

I was considering a auto to manual change but why do you regret it....

I have a switchable box.


Lui

[superted]

right i have started this weekend - well i have the car up on stands so far but im still lookin for info - help

[telski789]

well all i know is its obviously a different box and flywheel,not sure about electrical side though? might be easier to put manual ecu and loom in,theyre stand alone anyway!

Tel

[Brianmoooore]

well all i know is its obviously a different box and flywheel,not sure about electrical side though? might be easier to put manual ecu and loom in,theyre stand alone anyway!

Tel

Engine looms are identical, and I've never had problems using the auto ECU.

[Brianmoooore]

right i have started this weekend - well i have the car up on stands so far but im still lookin for info - help

Help on what in particular?
There's a lot of work, but it's all straight forward swap this for that stuff.
Only thing that may not be obvious is the need to fit a spigot bearing in the end of your engine's crankshaft.

[Brianmoooore]

I paid some sukka to do it and regret it. Keep it an auto! (If it's switchable)

I have three auto E30s in the collection, including a switchable.
No way could I live with driving one of those things on the road. Lack of performance, increased thirst and a whole gear missing!
All three are awaiting M5xx or M20B27 manual conversion by the way.

[chu346]

Driving an auto with the gears 1,2,3 and D as overdrive is great fun, but I find that the auto box gets very hot with prolonged fast driving. When you change gear in the auto, it just changes so quick and easy in comparison to a manual. The only other drawback with the auto is that it takes a long time to pull off, but with my car as a manual I struggle to get a good pull off anyway as the wheels just spin.

Don't forget guys that my car is a convertible, if it was a roofed car i'd say manual all the way. With an auto though you can drop the roof and let the car change gears it self so that you can get your pose on

[Templ8e30]

Engine looms are identical, and I've never had problems using the auto ECU.

Not strictly true because the auto has a different throttle switch connector.

Also iirc there is an inhibitor switch so you can't start it in drive.

I have done an auto to manual conversion and ideally you will need the following:

325i manual box with gearshift and centre console
325i manual propshaft
Diff to suit (although iirc the 325i auto should have a 3.73 diff which is fine with a manual too)
320i or 325i flywheel (same part)
325i clutch (has greater spring pressure than the 320i unit)
Manual pedal box with master/slave cylinders and fluid reservoir/lines.

I also changed to a manual ECU and engine loom with a manual throttle switch but this lot isn't essential.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Brianmoooore]

Engine looms are identical, and I've never had problems using the auto ECU.

Not strictly true because the auto has a different throttle switch connector.
Also iirc there is an inhibitor switch so you can't start it in drive.
Iain T

Interesting. As luck would have it there's a 320 auto in the workshop at the moment, so I've just had a look.
Sure enough, it has a different TPS and connector! BUT the recipient of my M50 touring started life as a 325 auto, and I've had a look at the engine that came out of that as well. The TPS on that one is the same as a manual one.
The starter inhibitor switch on an auto is a little sub loom with a relay that can be removed complete. It connects to the E30 starter circuit above the glovebox, where it plugs into two single pin connectors, both with black/yellow wire. When the sub loom is removed, you will find that the two remaining connectors in the car plug into each other.

[Templ8e30]

Engine looms are identical, and I've never had problems using the auto ECU.

Not strictly true because the auto has a different throttle switch connector.
Also iirc there is an inhibitor switch so you can't start it in drive.
Iain T

Interesting. As luck would have it there's a 320 auto in the workshop at the moment, so I've just had a look.
Sure enough, it has a different TPS and connector! BUT the recipient of my M50 touring started life as a 325 auto, and I've had a look at the engine that came out of that as well. The TPS on that one is the same as a manual one.
The starter inhibitor switch on an auto is a little sub loom with a relay that can be removed complete. It connects to the E30 starter circuit above the glovebox, where it plugs into two single pin connectors, both with black/yellow wire. When the sub loom is removed, you will find that the two remaining connectors in the car plug into each other.

I think I've solved the loom mystery, has your 320 got a switchable auto ?. Thinking about it I reckon the diiferent throttle switch has a seperate WOT switch to engage the kickdown but only on a switchable ?.

Cheers

Iain T

[Brianmoooore]

Yes, just came to that conclusion myself. The one in the workshop is a switchable auto, while all the other autos i have/had have been ordinary autos.

[WerkdE30]

i did this conversion in under 4 hours ...

firstly someone said 320 325 flywheels are the same. not true the 320 has a lighter flywheel.

inhibitor switch problem is as simple as removing the relay.

kickdown is a cable attached to the throttle butterfly once removed this is no longer an issue.

i can see no reason to change the ecu. only downside is finding the limiter is all to easy but this is the case with all bmw manuals i have driven.

whoever says that u will regret this should hire a chauffer or catch the train. the diference in driveability is goin from a pretty useless boring little car to an absolute weapon...

i used to put my foot flat on a very slippery road and get the slightest wheel spin then the engine would bog down.

i havnt even put the LSD in and now i can slide down an entire street goin from almost 90 degree angle to 90 degree angle ... it puts the local ricers to shame when i take it drifting .......AND ITS ONLY A MOSTLY STANDARD 320i !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just wait till i put the bilsteins LSD and 2.7 bottom end oh man i cant wait ....

[Templ8e30]

firstly someone said 320 325 flywheels are the same. not true the 320 has a lighter flywheel

Not true, have a look at the ETK parts catalogue and you'll find that they even have the same part number !

Cheers,

Iain T

[Quaser]

My cab is now a manual and its the best conversion i've had done!

esp coupled with the short shift conversion!

I say go for it - i think temple had most of the parts covered

ecu does not need to be changed - remember to disconnect the autobox ecu though!

Also - the throttle position switch needed to be changed on mine.

Other then that - dont forget the gearknob and gaitor and the relevent rubber grommet which goes around the gearstick or you'll hear all the road noise.

Where abouts are you superted?

Q

[WerkdE30]

firstly someone said 320 325 flywheels are the same. not true the 320 has a lighter flywheel

Not true, have a look at the ETK parts catalogue and you'll find that they even have the same part number !

Cheers,

Iain T

hmm u could be right but i have been told by few differnet people that the 320i is lightened ... i have a problem with believing things i here instead of actually finding out.... lol


i did the short shift installation also makes it all the sweeter.

whats this auto box ecu do i really need to find it and disconnect it? the car drives great as is.