I can has 6speed manual transmission?

[Stück]

Yes I can

I'm converting my car from a 5spd GeTrag240 to a 6spd ZF GS6-37BZ. It is the same transmission specified by BMW for the E46 330i ZHP, the Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0Si.



Mine was removed from a 8/2003 Z4 3.0i with 13,000miles.

I needed a new flywheel, clutch and pressure plate to use with this transmission as my existing 228mm M20 based setup would not work.
I turned to UUC Motorwerks for the parts I needed. Thanks Rob!



I've gone as far as I can for the time being as I am waiting on some small parts to come in but all the major goods are here.

As BMW never intended something like this to be shoved into that tunnel there is no factory rear cross member, or shift linkage that will work.
All of that must be fabricated from scratch.

I spent this morning fabricating the rear transmission crossmember.

[BrokenBimmer533]

Everyone knows the slushbox is far superior.

[Bobby Bonko]

damn.. what is the gearing difference between the two?

[e24mpwr]

..and what is the diff. you're running?

Looks like it will be fun...

[SeattleBMW325i]

Now we're gonna get a bunch of people asking how they can convert there's to 6 speed...

[Stück]

damn.. what is the gearing difference between the two?

..and what is the diff. you're running?

Looks like it will be fun...

For now I will stick with the 3.73, but I suspect it will lead to serious rubber peeling action off the line in 1st and 2nd.

By my math I should be able to swap a 2.93 diff in to plunge top gear highway RPM's, but because of the shorter forward gearing of the 6spd my overall acceleration will hardly be affected at all.

I will most likely be on the look out for a 3.25LSD though.

FYI, also by my math, my wheel/tire rolling diameter taken into account, with a 7100RPM limiter and a 2.93:1 diff.. my *gear limited* top speed in 6th would be 207MPH. Now I just need a lot more HP to ever realize that top speed lol.

[FrantiC]

What driveshaft are you going to be using?

Looks like a auto e30 one might fit, Just by looking how much longer the 6spd is vs the 5spd. Or are you going custom / using half of a Z4 one?

[evolution3]

aweosme stuff dude...

[Bimmerista]

FYI, also by my math, my wheel/tire rolling diameter taken into account, with a 7100RPM limiter and a 2.93:1 diff.. my *gear limited* top speed in 6th would be 207MPH. Now I just need a lot more HP to ever realize that top speed lol.

Is that a goal you have in mind??

[Stück]

What driveshaft are you going to be using?

I need to take a couple more measurements at work tomorrow, but I think I can use the rear half of my e30 driveshaft, with the e30 CSB, and the front half of a E36 M3 driveshaft and come out in the ballpark of the right dimentions to allow the splined slip joint to take up the rest. I'm hoping this will work (it should by my rough measurements) because I have not been able to find any driveline shops in town that will shorten a driveshaft for me. They are all deathly scared of BMW driveshafts.

Is that a goal you have in mind??

Well I guess its kinda a bragging right.

"Yeah, if I had another 700HP I could hit 207MPH in this puppy"


The rear cross member is completed now, primed and painted.

[Ruffian]

You're a freak of nature Jordan...you got that...you hear what I'm saying? Can't wait to see the shift linkage fabrication. Are you having to do any modification to the tunnel itself or is it tucking in there fine. Are those channels you're using for the crossmember the tranny protector attachments points? Do they have the strength you need for the crossmember?

[Stück]

No modifications to the sheet metal of the car itself, no hammering, no drilling. The channels that the T bolts that hold the cross member rest in are a second set rearward of the ones e30's normally use. I'm not sure why BMW included a second, short set behind the front long channels.. but no complaints here. They are just the same as the fronts in terms of holding strength.

[kishg]

cool project.. although i really fail to see a practical application.. cool nonetheless..

[Stück]

Faster acceleration and lower highway cruising RPM's.

Whats not to see?

[e24mpwr]

cool project.. although i really fail to see a practical application.. cool nonetheless..

He got an extra gear and could spread out the power. Quicker off the line and still decent highway RPM.

It will get even better when he drops to the lower diff., though he'll give away a bit of the off-the-line perf. Guessing that will match the power band better anyway...

[FrantiC]

Yeah, Can't complain. Bragging rights, Quicker and more than likely this won't end up like those 2 Getrag 240's lol.

If it does then ........

[Stück]

Yeah.. If I manage to break this transmission I will kill myself. The bill for the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, transmission, and everything else related to what I'm doing here is about $2800 in parts cost alone!

I'm sure this transmission will hold up the power, and my driving style just fine. Also since I'm back to a traditional organic clutch material again I won't be able to brutally shock load the drivetrain like I could with the 6puck ceramic clutch.

[ZacCarr86]

I can has used manual swap?

[Stück]

I can has used manual swap?

You don't want the 240 I pulled out. Its full of chunks of what were gears.

[FrantiC]

Just looked in your gallery and noticed the pictures of the rear of your e30, What exactly have you done to your tail lights?

Did you spray them with tint spray stuff from a spray can, Or are they ones you bought?

[ZacCarr86]

You don't want the 240 I pulled out. Its full of chunks of what were gears.

[Stück]

Just looked in your gallery and noticed the pictures of the rear of your e30, What exactly have you done to your tail lights?

Did you spray them with tint spray stuff from a spray can, Or are they ones you bought?

No spray can crap, because that is what it always looks like.

I sanded the tails with 400grit to level the writing, then 600, 800, and finished with 1000. I then handed them to a friend of mine who works at a bodyshop. He mixed some black paint in with clear and sprayed it out until they reached the desired tint. After letting it flash off he hit it with a straight clear coat and it leveled out smooth as glass. No buffing required.

Automotive paints > Spray cans.

[genocide98]

No spray can crap, because that is what it always looks like.

I sanded the tails with 400grit to level the writing, then 600, 800, and finished with 1000. I then handed them to a friend of mine who works at a bodyshop. He mixed some black paint in with clear and sprayed it out until they reached the desired tint. After letting it flash off he hit it with a straight clear coat and it leveled out smooth as glass. No buffing required.

Automotive paints > Spray cans.

A good compromise is automotive paint in spray cans. Not everyone has a cup gun... and they'll put almost anything in an aerosol can.

[RickSloan]

when your ready to get rid of that 3.73 for a 2.93 let me know

maybe shipping to shipping???

I want to take advantage of the M30B34 with G260 and still have some high way

[84318i]

Here is another how-to on an e46 m3 6-speed into e30 -

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=120381