Propshaft choice for S50?

[jph78]

I'm putting an S50 into my touring along with the 5speed E36 M3 gearbox, i've been advised to use an E30 M3 propshaft as this will bolt straight up with no mods.

Can anyone confirm this is correct?

I'm making a trip to the breakers on friday but i don't wanna buy it if it's wrong.

Cheers,

Jon

[E30Adam]

I believe there's no propshaft that will bolt straight in, everyone I know who's done this conversion has needed a custom prop to be fabricated.

[Andy335Touring]

I'm not sure about the M3 prop mate but if you get stuck and need a custom one making i used http://www.reco-prop.com

They welded the rear half of an e30 prop to the front half of an e34 prop and ballanced it for about 140 quid.

[SCOTT325SE]

you need an e30 rear section of the prop and an e36 front section of it.
where the front and rear parts of the tube join (by the splines) the e36 FRONT part can be joined to the e30 REAR part. I have been advised of this by a person who has done it, so dont shoot the messenger. ta!

[E30Adam]

you need an e30 rear section of the prop and an e36 front section of it.
where the front and rear parts of the tube join (by the splines) the e36 FRONT part can be joined to the e30 REAR part. I have been advised of this by a person who has done it, so dont shoot the messenger. ta!

You're right they can be joined but it's too long, they need shortening and balancing.

[SCOTT325SE]

..

[jmc330i]

The E30 M3 prop will bolt straight in with the E36 M3 5spd and E30 diff. Thats exactly what Ive done on mine.

[SCOTT325SE]

To do this conversion you use the E30 rear part of the prop mated to the front part of the prop from the e36 325.

if you use the 6 speed box you need to have the prop made to fit as no combination will fit without modification

[E30Adam]

Is it the 6 speed box that requires a custom prop then, I recall Ian and Henry saying that the M3 prop wouldn't be any good and they're both running the 6-speed boxes.

[SCOTT325SE]

if its running a 6speed box it needs to be custom made. end of story. if its a 5speed box, then you can use an e30 rear section of the propshaft and an e36325 front section.

[jmc330i]

if its running a 6speed box it needs to be custom made. end of story.

Correct.

If its the E36 5spd box then you can have one made using E30 rear/E36 front, but the E30 M3 prop will also fit, for definite, I have the E30 M3 prop fitted to my S50 conversion with E36 5spd.

An E30 M3 prop costs about Ԛ£100 s/h to buy. Dont know how much it would be to have one made.

The pic below shows my E30 325i (top) and E30 M3 (bottom) props.


Both are the same length but the M3 prop has the correct size bolt pattern to fit to the rubber doughnut and then E36 box.

[jph78]

Hmmm.... so many answers!

Thanks for everyones suggestions, and i agree when using a 6 speed a custom prop is definately required, but it's the 5 speed i'm using.

James, i remember you telling me that the e30 M3 prop would fit the E36 5 speed box and E30 diff ages ago now!

You say it deffo fits yeah?

Ian Haynes also mentioned this when i popped round his a while ago i think.

Thanks guys...

Jon

[jph78]

Opps, sorry James, i was still writing and you'd already posted a definate answer!

Cheers dude

[jmc330i]

You say it deffo fits yeah?

Yes, 100%. Its fitted on mine.

Use the E36 M3 doughnut/guibo thingy. Some people say use the E34 M5 one, but they are the same part.