6 speed box

[jimbom30cab]

I have seen a 1998 m3 6 speed gearbox which is for sale

Quite fancy getting it, ismit a straight fit onto the m52

I guess I need the prop also to make up a hybrid prop

Could I keep my existing fly, clutch and starter?

Thanks

[jimbom30cab]

This is the one

Ebay
161294498001

[leeparkes]

Check Dans thread Jim, im sure his 6 speed is from an E46 diesel.

Internet folk law says those M3 6 speeds are weak.

[Jibberingloon]

Chocolate Tea Pot.......

Or made of Cheese

Cant remember which

[DanThe]

You will need a custom made prop and box mount, but everything else will work, your M20 clutch/fly setup will be fine, but be aware lots of these are shagged old shite now

[TSM3]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I'm also thinking of getting a more modern gearbox to go with my M52.
Was just going to get a standard 5 speed from an e36 328i.
But would these also be shagged and not worth it? What's the alternatives?

Thanks

[DanThe]

They are stronger than the 6 speed getrags but yes there is also a lot of scrap about

[ejoeyward]

if i was you id get one with a crate of beer and padlock. lock your self in your shed for a week end and rebuild it or just clean it and do a really through service on it and check for metal fragments

[jimbom30cab]

Thanks for the advice guys

[Simon13]

the 6 speed box isn't as bad as people make out theres some internet hype going on! The e46 6 speed box is the same fit i believe but much nice shift action almost identical ratios

[DanThe]

E46 is a different spline on the input

[Simon13]

There will be a flywheel clutch setup to suit though i bet?

[jimbom30cab]

right I got a 6 speed set up sorted and a e36 328 auto prop to go on it

will get it all fitted next week along with the M3 E30 3.25 LSD and report back chaps

thanks

[Simon13]

does the auto prop just bolt on?!

MY question would be will it bolt to an M20 all ok? i guess it would

[jimbom30cab]

dunno mate, will find out this week, it's the stubbiest one i know of so if not i guess it will need a custom prop.

[jimbom30cab]

sorry Si, i missed the bit about the M20 - I wouldn't have a clue mate if all this would fit an M20 to be honest.

[DanThe]

It will bolt onto an M20 but at the wrong angle, will involve bending/twisting/abusing the shifter linkages and bodging up a new mount, be careful with the auto prop Jim I seem to remember them being too short for proper engagement on the centre prop joint

[heathy325]

Just to jump in what is the best box to use with the m52 set up I'm running the standard 260 box but it is noisey as always and want to get a better one in but don't know which one?

[jimbom30cab]

thanks Dan, if it's too short i'll try a e36 328i manual prop, should be a bit longer

[DanThe]

The 328i box is best, much stronger than any getrag.

The manual prop is too long Jim

[heathy325]

If you use the 328i box what prop do you use then, will the m20 325i one be ok

[DanThe]

328i with an E30 centre bearing/mount

[heathy325]

But is it the auto prop from the m52 then as you say the manual one is too long dan?

[jimbom30cab]

mmmmmm

so it sounds like the 328i auto prop is too short and the manual too long.

I guess this means get a manual prop and have it shortened and balanced then ??

[appletree]

I had a e36 m3 flange welded on a spare IS prop I had and the job lot balanced and powder coated at Bailey Morris cost about £85 iirc and has been very good I just did them a drawing with all the measurements on.

The guy even took me for a tourvof the workshops as I said I was interested in engineering and how they balanced the shafts, they had some huge props in there off earth movers, must have been 8" dia easy.

http://www.baileymorris.co.uk/

[heathy325]

So what have people been using then when fitting the 328i box there has to be a way of a home mechanic to get a prop to fit??

[Motorhole]

If using the 328i box, the manual e36 328i prop fits just fine with the E30 centre bearing - as DanThe has said. I've done this myself with no issues at all.

You'll find that the centre bearing sits the opposite side of the join in the propshaft and therefore has to be fitted the 'wrong' way round. It sounds confusing, but when you line it all up, it makes sense.

[heathy325]

Makes sense now cheers it got a bit confusing then

[DanThe]

The 6 speed box's are longer, so need a shorter prop than the 5 speed

[jimbom30cab]

Hope this will resolve the great prop shaft debate.

So the m52 with the e30 m3 prop fits perfectly, nice and tight

The e36 m3 3.2 6 speed box is exactly 7cm longer

Here are the measurements


Length of e30 m3 prop is 146cm flange to flange

Length of e36 328i auto prop is 128.5cm flange to flange

So basically the 328i auto prop is too short, even extended fully it was too short, like Dan said

Interesting the e36 m3 3.2 prop is 131cm , again too short and of course has the wrong flange on the diff

So basically we need a 139cm prop (maximum) in lengh, lets say 138cm to give us a fighting chance of fitting it easy.

So the only answer is a custom prop

Hope that helps

Anyone recommend a good place I can get my e30 m3 prop shortened and balanced?

[jimbom30cab]

For completeness, Dan has previously said the e36 328i 5 speed manual prop is too long

[DanThe]

Jim, you would be better off selling the M3 prop, as it will pay for the shortening of a standard prop

[jimbom30cab]

ok but what standard prop would I need mate?

[jimbom30cab]

e36 328i auto prop on the right

e36 M3 3.2 prop on the left

[DanThe]

You are better off getting an E30 prop front half shortened and an E36 large flange welded on the front end of it