E30 Zone

Ive just been offered a free switchable auto gearbox but having never removed a gearbox before, I have a few questions:

1. Is there much difference between a normal auto and a switchable auto?
2. Is it a big job to remove?
3. What do I need to swap it into mine?

Its a 325i btw and the car is scrap so it doesnt matter if I damage it!

to remove the box its quite easy if you have the right tools. ideally you need a ramp and a mate, but can be done on axle stands, but there is one fixing which is hard to reach, best bet is to invest 20quid in a Bentley manual, it will pay for it self and save you hassel

Switchable auto has a control unit in the boot (on the left as you look in) so you will need the box, torque converter (be careful not to bend the fingers when you remove it) then you will need the wiring loom from box to the control unit in the boot, the control unit and of course the switch fitted next to the handbrake. I am sure there is a connection to the ECU too so the box knows what the engine is doing but this connection should be obvious when you remove the loom from the control unit

mrlee

All Electro Hydraulic auto boxes had the ECU in the boot.
The ECU has a signal from the engine ECU and the throttle position switch.

ed325i wrote:All Electro Hydraulic auto boxes had the ECU in the boot.
The ECU has a signal from the engine ECU and the throttle position switch.

And a switch on the kickdown stop under the accelerator pedal.

Thanks for the help. Im going to be dragging the car back to my house later, so itwill give me a bit more time to strip it (soon to be in parts for sale section ).

one thing i found when changing boxes on mine is fit the torque converter to the gearbox then fit the gearbox to engine or youll break the pump in the box i did and needed a new box