S52 6sp box onto M52 engine

[Toby_Unna]

anyone know for sure if the six speed box from an e36 m3 evo will fit an m52 2.8 engine?

if so will m3 clutch/flywheel components be needed or will the m52 bits fit?

[dan_emaps]

I'm 99% sure it does but can't say for definate

My reasoning being that the m52 2.8 uses the same gearbox as the 3.0 M3, and i know that the 3.0 M3 box fits onto an S52 evo lump ok.. plus i'm sure i've seen a 6 speed evo box on a 2.8 before!

Hope this is of some help.. and i'd imagine you could use the stock flywheel, not sure about clutch though...

[jaistanley]

A friend fitted the 6 speed from an E46 (same) to his M50 engined E36 325i recently.

We had to machine the clutch plate from the M3 to fit the flywheel from the M50 because thats what we had.. No doubt you could use an M3 flywheel and full clutch. You'll also need a custom prop and trans mount which I'm sure you know; and possibly gear selector system, talk to Ian about that.

Works OK but the 325i but deosn't suit it at all, The M52 would probably be worse. They both have a large flat torque curve, not suiting the small stacked ratios of the 6 speed. We have the diff from an E36 M3 evo in there though so the engine is totally stifled. Probably be fine with the right diff choice.

So I'm 99.99999999999999% sure it'll fit. But not sure it's worth it unless you get the box for a reasonable price... If so do it!

Jai

[dan_emaps]

Yea thats a good point. i've also heard the 6 speed is not as nice to use as the 5 speeder too, alot more notchy

[DanThe]

Ive been considering doing this myself,

Anyone know what the differences are with the gear ratios?

[Aico]

Exactly the same, but the 6th gear is an overdrive. Around 0.82something I believe.

[stevetigger]

Ive been considering doing this myself,

Anyone know what the differences are with the gear ratios?

Here too!

[DanThe]

If the 1st to 5th ratio's are the same then how can it not suit the 2.5?

[stevetigger]

Project for us Dan!

[GermanGorilla]

Hi,

The gearbox ratio's in the 5 speed are totally different to the 6 speed
box.
Simple checking would confirm such.

The Getrag 280 6/6 speed box has the common ratios as found in
the E34 540i / E34 M5 6 Speed/ E36 M3 3.2 / E39 M5/ E46 M3.

1 - 4.23
2 - 2.53
3 - 1.67
4 - 1.23
5 - 1.0
6 - 0.83

On the Getrag 280 5 speed found in the E34 M5 5 Speed/
E36 M3 5 Speed/ MZ3 Coupe they are-

1 -3.51
2 - 2.08
3 -1.35
4 - 1.0
5 - 0.81

Mis-information can cause people lots of problems, so please guys, if you do not know then please do not pass comment.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[Aico]

That can not be right. The 5th gear from the E36 is 1:1. I don't know about the E34.

[GermanGorilla]

Hi Aico,

1.0 means direct drive ie - 1 to 1.

The Ratio's are all per BMW.

As stated, the ratios for the Gearboxes are completely different.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[DanThe]

Hi,

The gearbox ratio's in the 5 speed are totally different to the 6 speed
box.
Simple checking would confirm such.

The Getrag 280 6/6 speed box has the common ratios as found in
the E34 540i / E34 M5 6 Speed/ E36 M3 3.2 / E39 M5/ E46 M3.

1 - 4.23
2 - 2.53
3 - 1.67
4 - 1.23
5 - 1.0
6 - 0.83

On the Getrag 280 5 speed found in the E34 M5 5 Speed/
E36 M3 5 Speed/ MZ3 Coupe they are-

1 -3.51
2 - 2.08
3 -1.35
4 - 1.0
5 - 0.81

Mis-information can cause people lots of problems, so please guys, if you do not know then please do not pass comment.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

But I was trying to compare the 6 speed with an M50/52 5 speed which is direct drive in 5th,

Are these the same?

[stevetigger]

M50 Getrag

1- 4.23
2- 2.52
3- 1.66
4- 1.22
5- 1

reverse- 4.04

M50 ZF

1- 4.20
2- 2.49
3- 1.66
4- 1.24
5- 1

reverse- 3.89

[stevetigger]

Looks like a good match Dan!