Manual Transmission Swap

[SAS325i]

Hi Guys,

I am in the process of transplanting a 325i M20 engine to replace my worn out 318i M40 engine.

I was told that it was possible (but not preferd) to use my origional 240 gearbox and was hoping someone might be able to help me with any information on the mods that I need to do to make it work.

At present I have to engine and gearbox in the car but the first thi noticed is that the gearbox mounting bracket is not level !!

Any suggestions

Cheer's

SAS325i

[daimlerman]

Although the gearbox internals are pretty much the same between the M40 type gearbox and the 320i M20 'box,the engines sit at different angles as you seem to have discovered!

Source a 'box from a 320i,the ratio's are almost the same as the fabled 325i 'sport' 'box,it's plenty strong enough for a 325i engine,I've been using one for years behind my 2.7!
Whilst you are liberating the 'box,also take the front half of the propshaft,both halfs should have a white spot to aid correct alignment,but you need the yokes on each end in the same plane.

[Duke137]

I thought props were balanced as a unit not mix matched with any other prop you can find?

[B7]

Not sure where you are based but I have 3 325i boxes, one of which is still in it's wrapping after a rebuild. Located near Gatwick.

[daimlerman]

I thought props were balanced as a unit not mix matched with any other prop you can find?

Not true;
All E30 rear sections are the same length,the difference is in the length of the front section.If you are very lucky,the alignment white dots can still be found,if not,as I posted above,the yokes need to be in the same plane on both bits.This gives a choice of just two positions for the two halves.

Remember,we play with properly engineered cars,not some sorry scrap that carries an oval blue badge...

[magpie]

pull the 4-pot box out attached to the engine and re-do it with a 6-pot box and bolt on suited prop...ie 320i prop for 320i box job jobbed .don't forget the suited gear selector on your shopping list .

[magpie]

or you could bosh it...



and the gear linkage ....

[Grrrmachine]

Have a thorough read of this:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Swap_-_M20

[SAS325i]

or you could bosh it...



and the gear linkage ....

Mate thanks for these pic's, given my budget and the availability of 325i or 320i boxes looks like my only option at present is to do the botch job....

I feel like a dummy asking this question (after all you have sent a photo) but if I look at your mod to the g/box mounting it looks like it would add to my current problem.

To try and explain I will refer to passenger side and drivers side of my right hand drive E30

Look up at the gearbox from the rear of the car the g//box is tilted slightly of center to the passenger side of the car. ( I read somewhere it is 3 degrees to the left of center)

So when I bolt the mount to the box the drivers side of the mount is touching the floor of the car while the passenger side has a massive gap between it and the floor.

Are there any other mods or brackets I need to make it all line up.

On the gear linkage side of thing I do have both linkages from an original 325 manuel so the lenght is correct but do I still need to bend them to allow for the tilt to the passenger side ??

Cheer's