Special considerations? E30 + M30 + Getrag 265 (M3)

[brent_strong]

I just wanted to check before buying everything that the Getrag 265 from an E30 M3 would work fine for my M30 conversion. What driveshaft would work with this combo? I'd like to think the front section from the E30 and rear from the 535i would still work...

Thanks for any help!

[gareth]

most M30 conversions use the manual M30 box. mine cost me twice what i paid for the (really nice) 735i donor car!

i guess if the M3 box can fit onto the M30 then you'll be fine (with a M3 prop). i have no idea if the M3 box will work though...

[jaistanley]

Doesn't it depend on which engine position you use (1,2,2.5 or 3)? You may need to shorten the prop...

Jai

[brent_strong]

Yeah, the engine position will determine the length of the shaft that I need. I guess that question was a bit preemptive. I've heard now that I may need a different bell housing to mount the transmission to the M30. I think I will wait until I receive both and see what I need to make them fit together.

[jmc330i]

It will depend on the bolt pattern between the M30 engine and S14 box.

Didnt some E28 M5s and M535is come with a dogleg box? They would fit an M30 engine for sure, although I dont know if they would be the same as the E30 box.

[nickso]

It will depend on the bolt pattern between the M30 engine and S14 box.

Didnt some E28 M5s and M535is come with a dogleg box? They would fit an M30 engine for sure, although I dont know if they would be the same as the E30 box.

they were an option on e28 m535's and some alpinas i think....but i also dunno if they are the same

[Yaninnya]

I've heard now that I may need a different bell housing to mount the transmission to the M30.

S14 (and of course M10) is basically M30 without two cyllinders so most probably it will fit together but I'm only guessing.
Jan

[brent_strong]

I sure hope so. It seemed from the writeups that I read that the transmission would work without modification. If I have to get an M30 265 bellhousing, it's not the end of the world, just more time and money.

Thanks for the responses guys!

[jmc330i]

Lets us know how it goes. Would be good to know if the E30 M3 box will fit the M30 engine and what flywheel/clutch combination is needed.

As said above, the prop will depend on the final position of the engine. If youre custom making the engine mounts, your position 2 could be a little out from someone elses position 2 for example.

Would be best to wait until the engine/box and diff are all fitted and in the final positions before sorting the prop.

[brent_strong]

Yeah, since the M5 prop is available to me, I'll wait to buy anything else until I determine if it will work.

I will definitely be keeping you updated with anything I find. I may even do a small writeup of what I find during my swap.

[jmc330i]

I will definitely be keeping you updated with anything I find. I may even do a small writeup of what I find during my swap.

Start a thread about your conversion and lots of pics as well

[gareth]

Doesn't it depend on which engine position you use (1,2,2.5 or 3)? You may need to shorten the prop...

Jai

it does but unless you're bashing the living daylight ot of the bulkhead, the M3 prop will be fine. mine has about 20mm left and the bellhousing bolts are only a few mm from the bulkhead. (P2.5 on e30.de mounts)

[brent_strong]

I will definitely be keeping you updated with anything I find. I may even do a small writeup of what I find during my swap.

Start a thread about your conversion and lots of pics as well

Definitely will be! I should really start getting photos now...

Maybe I'll have an update later today.

[Simon13]

yes the getrag 265 was the box from the e28 535's and 635's and can handle the power. i think u will need an M30 bellhousing to make it work

[Toby_Unna]

yes the getrag 265 was the box from the e28 535's and 635's and can handle the power.

don't know where you picked up that impression simon

that box is fine in an m3, not in an m535i. i wouldn't touch one, they don't last long with much torque going through them.

use a 260 from an e34 535i or non-dogleg e28 535i manual. these are much stronger.

[brent_strong]

It seems that every person who chimes in on the subject of transmission strength and durability has a different opinion on the 280, 265 and 260. I got a great deal on a 265 and I've heard it is a very strong box. We shall see what my experiences find.

[gareth]

a lot will be down to how hard you drive it. power doesn't kill gearboxes, torque and driving like a twat both do!

[stevetigger]

Pm "ant2"

He has an M3 box on his 335i, I went in it.......First was no good, Pulled of every junction in 2nd but that was because he had a 3.64 diff!

[ant2]

i do indeed, got this setup in my 335 i used,

e30 m3 box and bell housing
e30 m3 prop and had to take 3 inches out of the front section
e28 m535 flywheel and clutch
custom gear linkage
and a 3.25 or taller diff is reccomended or you will be forever changing gear


i have a 3.91 diff in it at the moment and it does 120mph in the top of 5th

[gareth]

is the M3 box longer thhen? seems a lot to take out of the prop unless the engine is sitting well back into the bulkhead.

[ant2]

mine is in position 3 and abit slotted the holes abit more and theres about 5mm clearence on the cylinder head, i think the box is longer aswell, as the m3 prop didnt even fit when i tried,

[DRIFTBOY]

[quote= I'd like to think the front section from the E30 and rear from the 535i would still work...[/quote]

The rear half of an E34 (is that the donor?) prop won't fit an E30 diff!
Must use rear half of an E30 prop. The rear half of E30 prop is also the correct length from the centre bearing to diff - that does not change with an engine conversion.
If you use an E34 or E28 M30 gearbox it bolts straight on and you just need to shorten the front half of the prop. Hope that helps!

And yes, it is torque that kills gearboxes - I was only reading today in this weeks Autocar magazine that Brabus electronically limited torque on one of their cars as they couldn't make a gearbox to cope with the torque the engine was producing!

[brent_strong]

Ah, yes. It would be the front half of the driveshaft that would need to be a different length. If the M5 prop doesn't work, I'll likely have a local shop fabricate one for me.

I received the M3 box today and compared it to the 280 and the 260 (M20 version) that we had around. It has the same bolt pattern as the 280, so it *will* bolt up to an M30. It is very very similar in size to the 280 and is smaller but longer than the 260. I will have comparison photos up soon, but I have a track day to attend tomorrow.

As for a differential to pair with the 265, I'll probably like the shorter ratios. I'm coming off of driving an S2000, so shifting frequently is nothing new to me. If/when I add significant power (turbo), I'll lengthen the gears and probably go with a high 2.xx ratio in the rear.

[Toby_Unna]

Brent, you're about right with that diff ratio, should go well. from memory my last dogleg m535i had a 3.08 diff and would do about 140ish on the limiter in top.

I hope the box does well for you. the reason 'everyone chimes in with a different opinion' re transmission strength is that some people are guessing.

The comment I made above is from experience. I've never seen an M3 with a noisy box, but every single M535i dogleg box I've owned has had the same problem: terminally knackered bearings and a lot of noise in lower gears. and unfortunately for me, I've owned quite a few

on the other hand, the three E34 260 boxes I have are all absolutely silent.

[brent_strong]

Fair enough. I've definitely found that it is tough to find good information on BMWs in general. This board has been great though, the people here are great!

Well, worst case, I'll end up putting in a 260 or that 280 box I have around if this 265(262) goes out. Trial by fire!