m40 318i manual swap

[Racer75]

Hi all

Asked about swaps many times before (sorry about that!) this is just a quick one.

Can a manual gearbox swap be carried out without dropping the engine from the car?

Cheers

[Grrrmachine]

I each of your fingers has six knuckles, and you're used to bench-pressing 60kg, then go for it

It's a bloody awkward job, but it's doable.

[Racer75]

I each of your fingers has six knuckles, and you're used to bench-pressing 60kg, then go for it

Should be fine small hands

[Grrrmachine]

Just be safe with jackstands and trolley jacks.

A good tip is to use threaded bar (10 and 12mm) cut into 4-6" lengths. As you remove a gearbox nut, replace it with a bit of threaded bar. Go around the bellhousing, and once you've got everything on bars instead of bolts, you can wiggle out of the way and yank the gearbox off without risk of it dropping to the ground. The same bars will help you line the new gearbox up without fear of crushing your ribcage.

[jimbom30cab]

I've not done this without taking the engine out, but would it make things easier to lower the front subframe a few inches?

[mark_i]

2-man job, but fully doable.
make sure radiator, airbox, power steering hoses and wiring are free to move as you lower the engine...

[Racer75]

A good tip is to use threaded bar (10 and 12mm) cut into 4-6" lengths. As you remove a gearbox nut, replace it with a bit of threaded bar. Go around the bellhousing, and once you've got everything on bars instead of bolts, you can wiggle out of the way and yank the gearbox off without risk of it dropping to the ground. The same bars will help you line the new gearbox up without fear of crushing your ribcage.

yeah, wouldn't want that