M50 transmission options PLEASE HELP

Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:01 am

Hello to all you E30 fans, I have a '90 325i and for the M50 donor I have a '94 525i E34. From what I've gathered my transmission options are from the E30 or an E36. The E34 has a tiptronic tranny, so my question is, Is there any possibility I'd be able to swap over the tranny with the M50? Does anybody know of this ever being attempted? I cant seem to find any resources on this topic. Thank you in advance to anyone who can point me in the right direction or has any advice

Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:18 am

I would imagine it is doable. Would have to make sure you use all the auto loom and ECU's and have to get clever with mounting the shifting mechanism.

Got to ask why? Surely if you are going to the hassle of an engine swap, you want to make the most of it, not dull it with an auto box?

Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:44 am

I should have specified, my E30 is unfortunately an automatic

So before I started looking for another tranny from a E30 or E36 I just wanted to see if any enthusiasts out there could confirm whether its possible to use what I have and if not maybe give me an idea of why its not compatible

Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:06 am

No e34's got "tiptronic". E39's were Steptronic. All e34's ever got was a switchable option with a sport, economy or manual mode.

Why not convert the car to manual or do you have to have Auto? I don't know of any M50 / M52 conversions done that have kept an auto tansmission.

Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:04 am

The electric side of it would be easy, but why go from a M20B25 to an M50B25? With a great lump of autobox on the back of it you would hardly notice the difference..
Buy an M52B28 and use your E34 sump/intake

Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:06 am

TritonR wrote:I should have specified, my E30 is unfortunately an automatic
So before I started looking for another tranny from a E30 or E36 I just wanted to see if any enthusiasts out there could confirm whether its possible to use what I have and if not maybe give me an idea of why its not compatible

Just convert it to a manual. All you will need is a manual pedal box (or just the clutch section really), flywheel, clutch, clutch slave and line and obviously the box and shifter which you have several options on.

Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:09 pm

Okay I think my best option would be to convert the M20 transmission to manual then.
Do you guys know roughly how much I could be looking to spend on that conversion alone?

and to DanThe, I get mixed reviews on whether or not its worth swapping the M20 for the M50. But Ive already got the M50 so I am just gonna run with it, but Im sure I will notice the difference in the end, my M20 is so tired so Ive really never been able to get the full experience of a solid M20 as it is.
My plan is to keep this car as a daily driver but rebuild the engine solid and be able to take it out to have some fun on a road course track. Im looking through old forums trying to get an idea of an ideal turbo setup, I would love to here if you guys have any advice or thoughts for the most beneficial turbo setup for this M50 with all your experience and knowledge. thanks again for any tips, I really appreciate it