5 Speed Vs. 6 Speed

[E30Ad]

Just looking for some feedback on what might be best for an M60B40 conversion in to my E30 cab, I had planned to go with the 5 speed due to it not requiring any modification to the tunnel but a 6 speed box has become available so I am considering this.

Has anyone gone with the 6 speed on here? Did you find any complications in fitting?

Guessing that there wont be anyone who has driven with both to give a comparison of the two?

I am looking to finish up with something with a good bit of go for when required as well as the ability to slide but mostly just as a roof down chilled car with a nice noise!

Cheers,

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[Phill172]

I have a 5 speed box.

I have a custom billet flywheel from 2020 vision with a helix clutch,

I wish I had a 6 speed box as parts are bolt on bolt off rather then having to figure out what works with a 530 5 speed box.

I am aware that a E39 530d and some M3 clutches (not sure on flywheel) will work but not seen it happen, I have only read it.

[E30Ad]

Aggh I see so the benefit would really be that I could just use the present flywheel on my M60B40 and stick with a standard M60B40 clutch...

This could be a strong contender then, I hadn't thought of that angle. I have read briefly in to the M3 stuff as mentioned above and was fairly happy with that idea given that the power output of the S50B32 is higher than the M60 and the weight of the E36 is probably more than the E30 cab it should hold up nicely.

[Phill172]

If you have the chance of getting a motor and box complete out of a manual 540 id personally just stick with that.

Of course if you are having to source a box, then you will still need to buy clutch/flywheel items but boils down to cost etc.

By the sounds of your build a stock 6speed setup would work fine. Any info on clutches/flywheels with the 5 speed box would be interesting if you go that route

[PiLLLe]

It all comes down to what purpose you're using your car. If it's a dailydriver then you should consider 6 speed and longer diff, for more ride comfort.
But if it's a driftcar then 6 speed isn't the best option since it is prone to defects and if you have inappropriate diff you might end up with unfortunate situations when you'll have to shift 2nd and 3rd gear more oftenly, and 4th gear would be almost useless.

[E30Ad]

The car turned out to be a 3L 6pot in the end anyway so no good, so the search continues!

Cheers for your input people!

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[AndyZippy]

Just wondered what the defects are with the 6-speed box PiLLLe? I'm planning mating one with M62B44 in the new year, hadn't come across any bad press on it yetttt... Is it not as strong? Mine will see some long journeys, so i figured on the 6 speed being somewhat essential.

[PiLLLe]

The problems I've heard of are second and third gear synchronous and we've had a one gearbox that locked up in third gear during drift run.

Also I've heard that some had problems with Reverse gear.

[AndyZippy]

Hmm.. Good to know what to look out for - Cheers for that

[FormerMember]

Just to clarify;

6-speeder does NOT require any additinal modifications to the gearbox tunnel. It fits straight in. Of course mounts, linkage and driveshaft need to be modified. No big deal.

S6S420G gearbox has its problems, mainly the second gear syncros that tend to break. The worst part is that there are no replacement parts available.
On the other hand, the same gearbox has been used in E34 540, E39 540 and E39 M5. There are plenty of those around with good-condition gearboxes so it's not a major show-stopper after all..

[Phill172]

Still, need someone to come up with a adapter plate to run say a M5* box, that make it nice and cheap!

[E30Ad]

The gearbox is the same on the E39 v8's as the E34???

[FormerMember]

The gearbox is the same on the E39 v8's as the E34???

Yes, though if I remember correctly the gear-ratio for first gear might differ slightly.