What's involved in swapping a 95 325i auto to manual?

[johnson60455]

I searched a bit, but haven't come up with a all inclusive swap how to...anyone want o help a lazy dude.

I just came across a nice deal on a clean 95 325i - auto with a engine problem. I have a shop to do all the work, and the time, just never worker with BMW's. (I can't have an auto tranny either). Worth the work to do, how involved?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jllphan]

hey john, yeah it's been done. jrhaile on this board did it in his e36. i think he said the shop that did took about 10hours.

most of the parts needed:
tranny
flywheel/assembly
clutch/assembly
clutch
master cylinder
clutch fork
tranny mounts
pedal set
drive shaft
shifter assembly
drive shaft
Shifter linkage
rear diferential

zionsville autosport sells an install kit w/ and without the tranny itself.

[shadowpuck]

Originally Posted by johnson60455

I searched a bit, but haven't come up with a all inclusive swap how to...anyone want o help a lazy dude.

I just came across a nice deal on a clean 95 325i - auto with a engine problem. I have a shop to do all the work, and the time, just never worker with BMW's. (I can't have an auto tranny either). Worth the work to do, how involved?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Absolutely doable - depending upon your interest in the level of "integration," it's quite easy. there's a few minor steps, but it is really not all that difficult.

I just completed this on my '95 325is. Here's a link (from my project) you may find helpful:
E36 Transmission Conversion

[bimmerfreak87]

id just sell it and buy a manual.... sounds easier

[johnson60455]

Yeah I found the thread. Just much easier to look for a manual.

Thanks a lot for the responses though - appreciate it.

[shadowpuck]

I thought the same thing myself - then I started looking for cars. I'm pretty picky as to what vehicle I'll buy, as I suspect most folks are. I definitely could not find an e36 in the condition of my current vehicle for the amount of money I invested in my swap.

On the pre-96 cars it's very doable, and very easy. This is absolutely possible in a weekend - especially if you have access to a shop and much more general mechanical knowledge than I could ever dream of having - I was amazed at the simplicity of the swap.

Now that the car is up and running again, I'm very happy I went through the swap. I'll respectfully disagree that finding another car is easier than the swap.

Good luck!

[saltshaker185]

Originally Posted by shadowpuck

I thought the same thing myself - then I started looking for cars. I'm pretty picky as to what vehicle I'll buy, as I suspect most folks are. I definitely could not find an e36 in the condition of my current vehicle for the amount of money I invested in my swap.

On the pre-96 cars it's very doable, and very easy. This is absolutely possible in a weekend - especially if you have access to a shop and much more general mechanical knowledge than I could ever dream of having - I was amazed at the simplicity of the swap.

Now that the car is up and running again, I'm very happy I went through the swap. I'll respectfully disagree that finding another car is easier than the swap.

Good luck!

what was the point of the water wetter when you did the swap?? thought that was for coolant and such???

[94BMW325i]

Yeah dont you use water wetter when you switch to an electric fan?