335 annoying question

[e30Alex]

hey everyone, just trying to get sum advice regarding my conversion.Should i go with the m10 gbox and 320i prop(much cheaper for me, but confused as to how the gear linkage will work, and the strength of the rubber flex disc and gear ratios!)or the conventional but way more expensive m30 box and customish prop-also i take it the gear linkage is a direct fit this way?I currently have a m10 1.8 setup!211bhp-bring it on!Sorry 4 being a pain,cheers Alex

[Milko]

It wont actually be much cheaper (if at all) with M10 box as a suitable clutch is 300 quid+.

You use the M20 gear linkage on the M10 box.

Not sure about the rubber flex disc standing up to it, but they are cheap enougn to change out every now and then if needed.

Using the M30 box, you have to shorten the gear linkage to suit I believe, although I have read the M20 one fits straight on aswell....?

[DRIFTBOY]

I can't answer the M10 related question but I've read it on here being done a while ago.

But yes, my E30 325i gear linkages fitted on to my 535i gearbox and brought the gear lever out in the correct place.

Martin.

[e30Alex]

Right thats cool, but shurly you could use the standard clutch,although it wouldnt last too long?The reson is if i can do it this way all i would have to get is the engine, as i have most other bits already.But i want reliability so may use the m30 box and custom prop.decisions decisions......

[gareth]

i reckon the M10 clutch wouldn't put up much of a fight against the torque of the M30. it may hold out for a short while if you're careful but pushing it will cook the clutch very quickly. lets face it, if you're fitting a M30, you won't be driving slowly!

could the M10 flywheel be modified to take a slightly larger clutch? do you have any pics of the flywheel?

the M30 clutch is 240mm
the M20 clutch is 228mm
the M10 clutch is 215mm

maybe a M20 clutch could be fitted as a compromise? some drilling and skimming and you could be there?

[DRIFTBOY]

Sorry bud, I really don't know !

The M10 gearbox and clutch could be fine for all I know (I would be surprised though!), hopefully someone who knows will see this and advise.

I'd like to know myself, out of interest.

You should be able to find an M30 gearbox (Getrag 260) very cheap from a breaker. A new M30 clutch is around £150 - £200 but should last a long time unless you are a drag strip heeeero or something!

[gareth]

i got a gearbox and E28 single mass flywheel from an expensive bmw breaker for £200

the clutch cost me about £100 from a local motor factors, though it's not a new one but a reconditioned Sachs one, done by Ferodo so should be ok for a while at least. there have been no problems so far and it'll hold well enough to 3rd gear donots / burnouts in the dry with sticky tyres and a LSD.

[Milko]

The standard clutch may last, BUT if it dosent its gonna be a real pain to change it straight after the swap, I've read on U.S forums that the standard m10 clutch will take around 250bhp on turbo'd m10's, how the torque of these engines compares to the M30 I'm not sure.

The m10 flywheel has a big step in it, so I cant see a bigger clutch going in it, but I'm no expert!

Best bet would be to search the U.S forums, to see what the m10 turbo boys, have/are using and at what power things go wrong....

[e30Alex]

I think being a cheapskate i mite risk the standard clutch - money is tight - and also this car wont be my daily driver so if it fails, i wont be to bothered. If it did fail, i would get a m30 box,clutch and a custom prop, but in theory i should be able to do the conversion for bout £350 (engine, prop and e30de mounts - already got box).Taking engine out tomorrow, need to weld a plate where the battery once lived due to rust, then buy mounts, engine and prop and its happy days.I cant wait!Cheers guys Alex

[gareth]

like you say, if it does cause problems, it can be rectified with the M30 bits at a later date.

i still think the M20 clutch could be used though... i am an engineer and don't like taking "it won't fit" for an answer!

[e30Alex]

I cant wait!220bhp!

[Milko]

like you say, if it does cause problems, it can be rectified with the M30 bits at a later date.

i still think the M20 clutch could be used though... i am an engineer and don't like taking "it won't fit" for an answer!

I may well fit mate, I'm a milkman so aint in the best position to say!

e30alex - If you do the conversion for 350 I'll be well impressed, I've spent 1070 on bits to do it and am using my exsisting gear linkage and prop.

[Gunni]

a stock M10 clutch will not even handle the torque of a M20B28,
so it should not handle a B35.