auto to manual conversion

[muzz]

hi all i want to convert my 325i convertible from automatic transmision to manual cause the auto is starting to play up and lets face it 2.5 engins are more fun in manual,anyway ive got my hands on a 320i convertible that i picked up for a song cause it was hit in the rear it has a lot of good parts i can on sell but it has a getrag 260 box and mechanicaly its in really good nic.
ive got the basics all worked out as when the box is out im going to take the engine out and replace the head sump gaskets timing belt water pump ect ect.
my question is as my auto is the switchable type with a ecu in the boot will this cause me problems with starting and running the car and what do i do with the conections after the conversion

[daimlerman]

Pull your glovebox liner out and look for that black/yellow wire you see above,just under the main harness bundle.
On an auto,it changes to plain black,trace the plain black and remove it and all it's attached gubbins,it will eventualy lead you back to a second connector where the black changes back to black/yellow.You should be left with a male and a female black/yellow,join them together.
What you will have done is to remove the auto start inhibit circuit from the starter signal wire(black/yellow)
Trace the harness back in the same way for the autobox ECU and remove that as well,I've not dealt with a switchable auto myself,but I understand it is not to complicated.
In the area of the gearlever,you will need to plug in the reverse light switch into the harness,this unplugs from the inhibit circuit that you have just traced and removed.

[muzz]

that sounds verry straightforward,i havent been under the auto 325 for some time are all the mountings there for the conection of the gear shifter or will i have to frag it from the donner car

[daimlerman]

If you have the room,hang on to your donor until you have your's running!
You are going to need odd bits like the support bracket for the back of the gear lever thingy,most likely the prop shaft as well.
Your donor will also be stuffed with other goodies that will sell on to other zoner's to make you a bit of pocket money!

[mrLEE30]

a 320 should have a Getrag 240 box? in this case swap is the same but you will need to prop too. 240 box with a 2.5 is similar to the sort after sport box - i.e. gear one to three ratios are different but able to handle the power of a 2.5

also small weld to fit braket that holds the clutch/brake fluid reserviour.

[muzz]

thanks mr lee crawled under the donner car and you are right it is a 240 box i just asumed because it was a 6 cyl it was a 260,never mind.and yes i will be holding onto it as long as posible or untill the wife starts to tell me how untidy things are getting but if any zoner needs anything drop me a pm the car is red with a full mtec i kit on chrome bumpers 88 mod with a black leather trim.to be honest with you its in better nic than my 325 except for the kicked in rear end.
one last question is the flywheel clutch configuration the same as the 325s or should i swap the starter motor for the 320's

[mrLEE30]

keep the ,320 240 box, flywheel clutch (its a lighter spring and easier to push in!) and stick it on the back of the 2.5 lump. you then use the 320 prop and 325 diff, joint the wires as above, fit the clutch and hydraulics and off you go.

for info 240 box is rated at 240Nm as opposed to 260Nm accepted by the 260. the ratios of the 240 are close to thoser of the sought after 260 sport i.e ratios 1 -3 are slightly lower 4 is same direct and 5th same overdrive.

you can then remove the wring loom and autobox ECU from the boot, no need to remove the kickdown switch

[daimlerman]

240 'box and 320 clutch is plenty strong enough,I use this setup on my 2.7!

[mad4amanda]

dont forget to fit a spigot bearing !!!

[muzz]

excelent love driving the car in auto form but i really miss my old 325 sport in manual i sold it 3 years ago and have regreted it since,looking forward to doing this conversion but i will have to wait till our summer comes in the weather is a bit unpredictable here at the moment and the donner car is on a hoist outside thanks for all the good advise

[trevski]

a 320 should have a Getrag 240 box? in this case swap is the same but you will need to prop too. 240 box with a 2.5 is similar to the sort after sport box - i.e. gear one to three ratios are different but able to handle the power of a 2.5

also small weld to fit braket that holds the clutch/brake fluid reserviour.

My auto has this bracket welded and ready to bolt on to, did some earlier cars not have this?

[muzz]

my 325 has the braket in place looks like a straight forward fit but as with most conversions i will reserve judgement untill its done