Propshafts for M50 swap

[Sooty]

Just found this on the R3V site, which is handy because it's what I'm using on my swap.

'Quote'
This might be a huge "duh" but there is a lot of second-hand info on what driveshafts work. I thought I'd mention my own first-hand experience.

The short of it: You can use the E36 328i transmission, flex disc, and driveshaft together, but you need to use the E30 center support bearing. You don't have to do anything strange, like exposing more of the splines of the front section. It is just the right length for the job.

The 328i uses the same transmission as the later model E36 M3, the ZF 320. The E36 328i/is driveshaft (part number 26111227283) fits only when you replace the center bearing and support with an E30 unit. However, you need to use the E36 front (26111226552) and rear dust (26111226553) covers. The circlip (26123648156) is the same.

As for equivalence to the 97+ M3 driveshaft, I have no idea. In principle it should work fine, because the M3 driveshaft is the same length according to the ETK (1492 mm). I think the M3 guibo is beefier. The bolt circle diameter is the same at 96mm according to the ETK, but the guibo bolts are specified 4mm longer than the 328i bolts.

and this
The e36 325is one works too , i had to slide it apart on the spline a little if i remember.
'Unquote'

I have'nt heard of anyone else in the UK using the E36 328 or 325 prop as opposed to the M3, but they have got to be easier to get hold of (& consequently cheaper).
I got my 328 prop by mistake & just tried it out of frustration.
One thing to note though....you've got to get the centre bearing the right way round or the prop sits at an angle (I found out the hard way).

I'll try & get some pics of my setup when it's in.

Iain S

[DanThe]

That would be for the large output shaft flange gearbox.

Ive got a gearbox with the smaller sized flange (same as E30) and im using an M20 prop

[Sooty]

Sorry Dan - thought it was explained in the body of the text.

To clarify - If you're using the E36, large case, ZF g/box (328i & M3 only), you can use the 328i prop as well as the usually favoured M3 prop.

Of course, the E36, small case, Getrag box (325, etc) can use the E30 prop as the donuts are similar.

Whereas the M3 prop is just a straight bolt-in for the centre bearing (hence it's popularity), the 328 prop requires the centre bearing to be changed as the carrier is too big to bolt in.

As there are more 328's than M3's, this means you no longer have to spend months of searching & hundreds of pounds for an M3 item.

HTH

Iain S

[EOS]

Hi I think i've got a 328prop on mine, when i was looking for a prop all we was looking for was a prop 59 inches long with 12mm holes in the gearbox end and 10mm holes at the diff end. Down the breakers it was marked up as a E36 328i, did the job fine. With the E30 centre bearing. Fittment was spot on.

[Sooty]

Mind if I ask how much it cost you EOS?
Bear in mind that I've heard of M3 props going for over Ԛ£100.

Iain S

[EOS]

Well i got it at the same time as some 328 front legs and Z3 rears with calipers disk pads etc...and a few other bits for Ԛ£200 so can't imagine it cost much. Think they threw it in for free cause they quoted me Ԛ£100 for the front legs and Ԛ£100 for the rear?

[DanThe]

There is a place in Worcestershire I got a quote from for a custom prop.
If I supplied the (correct) parts they would cut the prop, weld a different end on and reballance the lot for Ԛ£50-Ԛ£60

Not bad considering the local place want nearly double that