can i use this gearbox on my m50 conversion?

Moderator: martauto

be11
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:00 pm

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:54 pm

hi guys.

picked up an m50 engine and box out of an e34 525 for my e30.

the gearbox that came with it has this numbering stamped on it:

Bellhousing: 1221 936.9
2.1 225

Gearbox: 2.1226
1221 8998

can i use this gearbox to do my conversion? its got a paddle clutch and lightened flywheel in it so id like to use it if poss.
I know i can use the m40 box thats on the old engine but its leaking and the clutch is nearly dead.

Does anyone have any idea what shifter and propshaft i will need if so? i have a medium case diff lying around if i need to use that too.

thanks
Jhonno
Homo Hair
Posts: 20362
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: FLAT, FLAT, FLAT!!

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:29 pm

Yes.
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

Arch roller for hire.

www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

Image
be11
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:00 pm

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:20 pm

cool thanks mate. any idea what prop il need? or is it gonna be custom jobby?
craigieeb
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4988
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: In my man cave modifying... something

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:58 pm

328i prop?
M50 Turbo!!! :o I shall say no more :D
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:26 pm

Your E30 diff will be no good with the E34 box, unless you are super spawny and it is a rare overdrive box from a very early M50 525.

I don't know the part number for those boxes, but fiddlers like Andyboy may know.

Paddle clutch will be a bit of a bitch to live with unless it's destined for track use only/mainly.
be11
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:00 pm

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:38 pm

Would you suggest using my m40 box then?

What would be the problem? Too low/high ratio?
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:08 pm

i have a good m40 box here if your going down this route, [as yours is Kaput]

then you need a 320i prop and gear selector all bolts to a medium case or small case e30 diff.
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:08 pm

The final drive in the M50 boxes are 1:1 direct drive, so the same output you'd get in 4th gear on an E30 box, so it would be revving it's tits off if you use the E30 diff with the M50 gearbox.

I'm using the 318is (M42) gearbox with my M52 setup and it gets plenty of grief and hasn't shat itself yet. The M40 box I believe has the same guts, just a slightly different casing. Daimlerman has been using an M40 box on his M50 touring for years without bother.
be11
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:00 pm

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:20 pm

Sound ok looks like i'l use the m40 box. New clutch time then. Do I use the e30 flywheel and starter motor too?
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Post Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:45 pm

i used an m20 fly wheel/starter and clutch
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
shanehaward
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 532
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: medway kent

Post Sun May 20, 2012 10:28 pm

is it ok to use a 320i starter motor and flywheel? are there any differences to a 325i
User avatar
Andeep
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 228
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Post Mon May 21, 2012 11:31 pm

Also are E36 323, 325, 328 props all the same?