Soo the wife wants auto to manual...Q's

[328 Power 04]

So the inevitable has come up: The wife would rather like a manual transmission on her amazing AW Z3, instead of the very tragic GM 4 speed auto they supplied it with. She already learned manual well in Europe (there many months out of the year for school), and she enjoys coming to the track/autoX with me. It's her daily driver (for now).

***I would hate to sell this Z3, as it has many mods already that I've put hours and hours to it.***

It includes:
-Rear suspension carrier refresh with urethane
-Camber and toe correction weld on tabs/bolts
-H&R Sport Springs/Bilstein Sports
-Sway bars + Sway bar mount reinforcement in rear (probably getting full body reinforcement on next carrier drop)
-Hard Dog roll bar
-minor power mods, many more coming this summer (exhaust work, M54 manifold, etc).

Here's the car at MSR Houston:












OK enough history...


I already sourced a good ZF 5-speed transmission with very good stock E36 328 flywheel, and nearly new clutch kit. It came with most accessories. It was a good deal, thanks to those involved .



I need:
-Differential (LSD only) most likely E28 3.25 ratio (Q = GOOD?? Opinions?)
-Driveshaft, 1240-1244 mm probably? Any input anyone?
-The 2 pedals + clutch master cyl.
-Shifter (which one?)


I will probably do the Pin service on the transmission before bolting it up.

How exactly do I deal with the auto tranny computer, and the reverse light switch?



Anything else I'm missing? I know this will be involved, but I've done harder things on this car and mine, so I look forward to a challenge.




I am SURE I don't want to sell the car and get one in manual.

I will only get an additional M Coupe soon... (she fell in love with them) Probably need to get 2, one to keep, and one to drive.




I've searched much of this, and usually the results come from E36 answers, which are similar. I apologize if there's repeating, and thank you for your time.

[amancuso]

No Comment.

[IgotBMW]

You got more pics with the Contours on?

I kinda like the wheels on the Z3.

[328 Power 04]

Most recent pics, I have some older ones, but without the suspension.








Yes I think the contours work excellent with the car.

[BlackjackM]

You got more pics with the Contours on?

I kinda like the wheels on the Z3.

Agreed, the contours look great. The M3 DS II wheels also look great on Z3s IMO.

[PbFut]

OP ask questions about a tranny swap and the thread quickly degrades to how pretty his wheels are.
How much is the ECU affected by this swap?
Leave the rear end alone until you get the tranny sorted out.
Swapping those peddles is going to be a bitch of a job. Cover the carpet real well.

[328 Power 04]

OP ask questions about a tranny swap and the thread quickly degrades to how pretty his wheels are.
How much is the ECU affected by this swap?
Leave the rear end alone until you get the tranny sorted out.
Swapping those peddles is going to be a bitch of a job. Cover the carpet real well.

hahah, I'll take what I can get... I just hope it holds on till the Z3 greats (Randy, etc...we're all great, but really) come and post. I know sometimes I get too lengthy with the post, so we'll have some raise-my-post-count type posts. But I do believe in a good quality presentation. I do appreciate any input, constructive criticism, advice, well wishes, etc.

Apparently the ECU is separate from the auto transmission computer, so it shouldn't affect it, but I am curious how cruise control will act...

About the rear end... the stock is supposedly a 4.27 Torsen LSD... 4.27!! that would cause near 5000 rpm at 80mph on a manual.

Thanks for the warning on the pedals, I know it's quite cramped in there.

[hexagone]

Yeah, we're going to have to see pics of the wife to be able to help out sufficiently.

[BimmerBreaker]

No Comment.

No Reply.

[LAWLence]

Yeah, we're going to have to see pics of the wife to be able to help out sufficiently.

Yes, this is needed before applicable advice can be given.

[PbFut]

hahah, I'll take what I can get... I just hope it holds on till the Z3 greats (Randy, etc...we're all great, but really) come and post. I know sometimes I get too lengthy with the post, so we'll have some raise-my-post-count type posts. But I do believe in a good quality presentation. I do appreciate any input, constructive criticism, advice, well wishes, etc.

Apparently the ECU is separate from the auto transmission computer, so it shouldn't affect it, but I am curious how cruise control will act...

About the rear end... the stock is supposedly a 4.27 Torsen LSD... 4.27!! that would cause near 5000 rpm at 80mph on a manual.

Thanks for the warning on the pedals, I know it's quite cramped in there.

I had a quick look at the '99 ETM and the tranny module has 3 leads to the ECU and an additional 2 to the slip control unit. ECU may need a flash or more. Your rear end is very valuable. Don't turn lose of it without checking pricing. Many racers will be all over it. Have your diff ready to swap, but hold off changing until after the tranny bugs are sorted out. Though not a lot can go wrong with a diff swap, why add another variable to the “what's wrong equation” if the swap does not go smooth.

[BlackjackM]

At least one other forum member has recently done this swap. If it were me, I would do my best to get in touch with him to pick his brain.

[328 Power 04]

At least one other forum member has recently done this swap. If it were me, I would do my best to get in touch with him to pick his brain.

Sounds like a great idea, actually. What's their forum name? Thanks

I had a quick look at the '99 ETM and the tranny module has 3 leads to the ECU and an additional 2 to the slip control unit. ECU may need a flash or more. Your rear end is very valuable. Don't turn lose of it without checking pricing. Many racers will be all over it. Have your diff ready to swap, but hold off changing until after the tranny bugs are sorted out. Though not a lot can go wrong with a diff swap, why add another variable to the “what's wrong equation” if the swap does not go smooth.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

[Racer MXM]

Good luck my friend...I love determination

[BlackjackM]

Sounds like a great idea, actually. What's their forum name? Thanks



Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

Posts 7 and 17 may be helpful


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...t=5+speed+swap

[328 Power 04]

Thanks, I had seen that, I'm just hoping that DSC and cruise control won't be affected in any way. I don't think his 98 had DSC.

[z3540i]

I just did the swap in my z3...its a 98 1.9l...I bought a e36 318 parts car so i could get the pedels, trans, and driveshaft. the trans was a Getrag not a zf..Here were my findings.......

things you need While swapping

Shift linkage from a z3... e36 is different length
The front half of the manual driveshaft will fit perfect with the back half of the auto driveshaft in the car.
The pedals are no big deal just take the time to remove the seat, and plastic/metal parts around the steering colum.to make it easy...
DO NOT INSTALL A USED CLUTCH, USED SLAVE CYLINDER,USED MASTER CYLINDER, OR USED GUIBO (YOU WILL THANK YOURSELF LATER)
The swap was pretty much plug and play....I installed the pedal set...with new parts and lines
Then the transmision with a new clutch
fit the driveshaft and your ready...

NOTES....
the plug has to be wired so that the car will start...the plug i am refering to is the one that plugs into the shifter assembly on the auto.
i can provide better details on this if you need...
My reverse lights never worked before so i dunno about that
the cruise control doesnt work since you are tricking the car into thinking its in park or neutral so it will start...
the only light that lights on the dash is the trans fail idicator....I removed the bulb...
UMMM im sure im missing alot but i have tons of pics and things...

Honestly i had my parts ready and i drove it in, swapped it and drove it out in 6hrs.

Any questions just pm me or whateve...

i just reread your post...i dunno if yours is a 4 or 6 but the swap is the same ... the Traction controll works perfect still but the cruise does not...

dont be dishearted by ppl telling you its not worth it or just to sell it... it was actually a super easy swap and for the money i have invested im super happy...

More notes.. i am still using the auto diff which is a 4.10 or 4.11...
Yes it runs the revs up on the hwy i am not perfect on this but its something like 4k at 65 mph....

It pulls like a mofo down low tho and gave the 4 banger some spunk....
Yes i run 265-35s-18 on the back so a 3.5k launch is rather violent and beats most cars off the line lol

I enjoy the diff in the mtns. just because the gears are short and tight and it keeps the engine in the power band better.

[BimmerBreaker]

Thanks, I had seen that, I'm just hoping that DSC and cruise control won't be affected in any way. I don't think his 98 had DSC.

Psh, DSC, who needs it

[328 Power 04]

Psh, DSC, who needs it

Well I am trying to make it as unnoticeable as possible. So far it looks like the snags will be the cruise control, start switch, and reverse lights. I will have access to a BMW dealer's programming tools (at a cousin's convenience) so I will try to see if we can trick the ECU into thinking it's a real car. If not I'll look into how to modify the harness, or replace it with a manual's.




Thanks for the info z3540i, I will definitely keep in touch.

[328 Power 04]

I just did the swap in my z3...its a 98 1.9l...I bought a e36 318 parts car so i could get the pedels, trans, and driveshaft. the trans was a Getrag not a zf..Here were my findings.......

things you need While swapping

Shift linkage from a z3... e36 is different length
The front half of the manual driveshaft will fit perfect with the back half of the auto driveshaft in the car.
The pedals are no big deal just take the time to remove the seat, and plastic/metal parts around the steering colum.to make it easy...
DO NOT INSTALL A USED CLUTCH, USED SLAVE CYLINDER,USED MASTER CYLINDER, OR USED GUIBO (YOU WILL THANK YOURSELF LATER)
The swap was pretty much plug and play....I installed the pedal set...with new parts and lines
Then the transmision with a new clutch
fit the driveshaft and your ready...

NOTES....
the plug has to be wired so that the car will start...the plug i am refering to is the one that plugs into the shifter assembly on the auto.
i can provide better details on this if you need...
My reverse lights never worked before so i dunno about that
the cruise control doesnt work since you are tricking the car into thinking its in park or neutral so it will start...
the only light that lights on the dash is the trans fail idicator....I removed the bulb...
UMMM im sure im missing alot but i have tons of pics and things...

Honestly i had my parts ready and i drove it in, swapped it and drove it out in 6hrs.

Any questions just pm me or whateve...

i just reread your post...i dunno if yours is a 4 or 6 but the swap is the same ... the Traction controll works perfect still but the cruise does not...

dont be dishearted by ppl telling you its not worth it or just to sell it... it was actually a super easy swap and for the money i have invested im super happy...

More notes.. i am still using the auto diff which is a 4.10 or 4.11...
Yes it runs the revs up on the hwy i am not perfect on this but its something like 4k at 65 mph....

It pulls like a mofo down low tho and gave the 4 banger some spunk....
Yes i run 265-35s-18 on the back so a 3.5k launch is rather violent and beats most cars off the line lol

I enjoy the diff in the mtns. just because the gears are short and tight and it keeps the engine in the power band better.

Soo what if you wire the car's auto shifter wiring to the clutch switch?


I mean like this:

The wires that give the signal that the transmission is in Neutral to receive signal when clutch switch is PRESSED. (allows car to be started when clutch is pressed)

and

The wires that give the signal that the transmission is in Drive to be wired when the clutch switch is DE-Pressed. (allows cruise control to think it's in Drive when the car has the clutch released) Besides cruise is speedo dependent as well no?

Yeah, we're going to have to see pics of the wife to be able to help out sufficiently.

Oh and that's her in the car in all of those pics... lol


She'll pass on other pics for now, sorry.

The front half of the manual driveshaft will fit perfect with the back half of the auto driveshaft in the car.

Does this mean that I can use the front part of the E36 328i Manual driveshaft and put it into the Z3 driveshaft and the length will be what I need?

If so, that would be a good money saver, I can source an E36 front halfshaft easy.

I know I can find this out if I measure the length from engine to the driveshaft support bearing on my 328is. But I'm not anywhere near it at the moment, until summer.

[mpire]

Personally, I would pick up another car, swap the interior if your interior is better and then sell the slushbox.

Its a boat load of work to make the electronics happy.

The mechanical stuff is pretty straight forward though.

I would think the time/money would get you into a lower mileage manual transmission alternative pretty easy.

My spare driveshaft measures in right at 46.5 inches in length. There is a slip joint in the middle that gives you about a quarter inch of play.

[328 Power 04]

Thanks for the advice and for the measurement, that helps. How much are one of those shafts new these days?

[ryeland]

I have a Rogue shift kit if your interested.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...1#post23514181

[z3540i]

I Think your idea should work about the clutch switch....I just wanted it to run to i wired it without a clutch switch as i dont care about the cruise control but what your saying would work...and for my situation i mated the E36 318 front shaft to the z3 back shaft and it fit/worked great

[paul4223]

"Soo the wife wants auto to manual..."

Just curious. Does "the wife" refer to you as "the husband"?