E30 Zone

Hi
Could someone please adivse if the M42 (Getag 240) gearbox is a close ratio (i.e. a sport gearbox) or does it have the same ratios as the standard M40 gearbox?

I am looking for a sport gearbox for an M40 engine does one exist?

talking about E30 gearboxes they are all the same ratio for M40 and M42, but gearboxes from E36 are what you called "close ratio" as they have 5th gear with a 1:1 ratio (E30 ones have 1:1 ratio in 4th and 5th overdrive)

so an e36 gearbox on your M40 or M42 powerded E30 is a good improvement, I'm actually planning on fitting an E36 gearbox with a 3.45 diff, it will be more or less like having the stock gearbox with a 4,27 diff, but with longer 1st gear

There is a slight difference but its very small IIRC.

I have an E36 M44 gearbox available for anyone looking

I replaced an E30 318is gearbox with an E36 box.
I found that the car was more refined on the motorway however overtaking (over 80MPH) required a change from 5th to 4th.
Around town there was not much difference.
Slight gains in economy.
Slight loss in in-gear flexibility.

It was running a 4.1 LSD

If anyone wants the old E30 M42 box (it jumps out of 4th occasionally when changing down from 5th at 80 mph)
£5 Collection Only SE24 London. (p.m please)
I have no use for it except for an autopsy

rix313 wrote:There is a slight difference but its very small IIRC.

slight difference? no so light

if you put an E36 gearbox keeping the same diff ratio it's like using only the 4 first speed of the E36 gearbox...

one of the best setup is M40/2/4 with E36 gearbox and 3,45 it's what i'm about to do on my 318is e30 and it's the setup on most 318is/TI E36

I can also supply a 3.38 diff to go with the m44 box if needed