Gearboxe's

[Martinaston]

Does anyone know what other BMW gearboxes if any will bolt onto an M20 engine ?

[jibbers]

I hear that with the carefull use of a dremel can ensure that the box from a Reliant Robin will slot right on ! ! !




You might want to let people know if you have a 320 or a 325
Both are M20 dude

Jibbers

[Andy_magic]

I've heard of people fitting E36 boxes, they have a 1:1 top gear though, but I'm guessing that wouldn't bother you.

I don't know what's involved in doing it, I would like to know though..

[craigieeb]

You might want to let people know if you have a 320 or a 325
Both are M20 dude

Jibbers

dont both the 320i and the 325i have the same bolt patterns on the bell housing anyway??

[Jhonno]

yes

[Andy335Touring]

You might want to let people know if you have a 320 or a 325
Both are M20 dude

Jibbers

dont both the 320i and the 325i have the same bolt patterns on the bell housing anyway??

The 320 and 325 have differant gear ratios.

[Brianmoooore]

E36 box will fit, but it will be rotated a few degrees from how it was intended. This will give problems with the gearbox rear mount and the gear linkage. Probably need a different length prop as well, but might just be within the range of the sliding spline section.

[Andy_magic]

Cheers Brian, I knew there would be more to it than fitting it.

[Brianmoooore]

You get the same problems, the other way around, if you try to use an E30 gearbox with an M50 engine in an E30.
Don't think there's any benifit in running an E36 box in an E30 anyhow. You would also need to change the diff, as the E30 box has a direct 4th gear, and the E36 a direct 5th. i.e 5th gear would become 4th.

[Andy_magic]

Makes perfect sense..

The reason for my asking, was like pretty much all my 'will this do that' posts. I was offered a known good E36 325i box at a good price.

I've got to change the diff in my car when the 2.7 goes in as I don't think it's going to last long as it's a small case with nearly 200k miles on it, so the 1:1 5th gear wouldn't be a problem, everything else will.

I've also been offered an E30 sport box so will go that route I think.

Cheers for all the answers

[Martinaston]

Thanks for the informed answers
I guess i'll keep looking for a good e30 box. could take some time