trans swap - manual

[stx133]

"Heed this warning...swap cars and/or get your defective auto trans rebuilt for $2K. Tranny swaps only make sense in rare occasions.

The swap takes too much time, too much money and the resale value of the car will drop from any long-term collectability standpoint. This type of swap is not often done on older cars even when it's a cakewalk (with the spare tranny & pedals sitting in the garage), because resale value suffers too much."


Just picked this up from Bimmerforums. Any thoughts, comments. i had entertained the ides of a swap on my 540. now looking at the dinnan tranny chip (also discussed on BF). anyone else had experience? have been on Bimmer info for a while and feel that you guys are more balanced and have more reasoned opinions (in general)

[Jeff N.]

Do it because it makes you happy... I don't think it will pay for itself in resale. Your job will likely cost more than most as that 6 speed is a rare puppy.

[Kalevera]

Do it because it makes you happy... I don't think it will pay for itself in resale. Your job will likely cost more than most as that 6 speed is a rare puppy.

This man speaks hot fire.

It doesn't make sense, unless the parts can be had on a shoestring budget, such as Craig in Davis has recently done.

You might want to contact Drew Zacharda, Drew Z on the board. Long before my time at KMS, Brett did his swap. Mind you, at that point, everything was done with jackstands and the like in Brett's garage. Legend has it that Drew showed up with the remnants of a 50,000 mile 540i/6 and his 530iT, then picked up a 540iT/6 a few months later.

best, whit

[Jeff N.]

The M-sport brakes of legend lore live today on my 535i.

Drew of course did more than 6 speed conversion; he also gained a liter or so in displacement at the same time. Brett weighed in as yoda on the project.

"Hot fire" huh? lol..better go tell the wifey about that one!

This man speaks hot fire.

It doesn't make sense, unless the parts can be had on a shoestring budget, such as Craig in Davis has recently done.

You might want to contact Drew Zacharda, Drew Z on the board. Long before my time at KMS, Brett did his swap. Mind you, at that point, everything was done with jackstands and the like in Brett's garage. Legend has it that Drew showed up with the remnants of a 50,000 mile 540i/6 and his 530iT, then picked up a 540iT/6 a few months later.

best, whit

[liquidtiger720]

Does anybody want to confirm the accuracy of this list.

21 52 1 159 350 fluid hose ( $37.50 )
11 14 1 729 836 gasket ( $5.90 )
11 14 1 710 247 crankshaft seal ($52.25 )
25 11 1 221 822 (2) shift bushing ( $12.40 )
23 70 1 092 201 cross member ( $37.11 )
23 70 1 141 614 (2) trans mount ( $34.20 )
11 21 1 720 310 pilot bearing ( $18.06 )
18 21 1 178 340 (2) exhaust hanger ( $17.00 )
26 12 1 226 657 center support ( $100.20)
25 11 1 222 651 mounting ( $19.37 )
25 11 1 222 365 shift a ( $23.26 )
MTL redline ynth mtl ( $18 )


6-speed transmission (msrp ~$5k)
clutch master and slave cylinders
flywheel ( msrp ~700 )
driveshaft ( msrp ~$700-800 )
pedal cluster
shifter and linkage

[JoeS]

I did my swap in a weekend. It is a remove and replace affair. If you have done your homework, planned it out, and have all the required parts it is a snap. I did some extras along the way, but i would say I did it under $1200, which from what i can determine is about have of a rebuilt job.

Do it , you will not regret it.

"Heed this warning...swap cars and/or get your defective auto trans rebuilt for $2K. Tranny swaps only make sense in rare occasions.

The swap takes too much time, too much money and the resale value of the car will drop from any long-term collectability standpoint. This type of swap is not often done on older cars even when it's a cakewalk (with the spare tranny & pedals sitting in the garage), because resale value suffers too much."


Just picked this up from Bimmerforums. Any thoughts, comments. i had entertained the ides of a swap on my 540. now looking at the dinnan tranny chip (also discussed on BF). anyone else had experience? have been on Bimmer info for a while and feel that you guys are more balanced and have more reasoned opinions (in general)

[Jeff N.]

Need to catchup with you - have some cam questions I'd like to run by ya!

Jeff

I did my swap in a weekend. It is a remove and replace affair. If you have done your homework, planned it out, and have all the required parts parts it is a snap. I did some extras along the way, but i would say I did it under $1200, which from what i can determine is about have of a rebuilt job.

Do it , you will not regret it.

[stx133]

increased displcement... was contemplating supercharging but if there is a stroker kit that does the buisness lets hear about it.. what gains in HP & torque????

[Jeff N.]

Took a stock 530 auto wagon and mated it with a 540 sport drivetrain salvaged from a totaled 540 Sport. End result is a 4 liter, 6 speed E34 wagon.

Can you say "sleeper"?

I knew you could.

increased displcement... was contemplating supercharging but if there is a stroker kit that does the buisness lets hear about it.. what gains in HP & torque????

[Craig in Davis]

Does anybody want to confirm the accuracy of this list.

21 52 1 159 350 fluid hose ( $37.50 )
11 14 1 729 836 gasket ( $5.90 )
11 14 1 710 247 crankshaft seal ($52.25 )
25 11 1 221 822 (2) shift bushing ( $12.40 )
23 70 1 092 201 cross member ( $37.11 )
23 70 1 141 614 (2) trans mount ( $34.20 )
11 21 1 720 310 pilot bearing ( $18.06 )
18 21 1 178 340 (2) exhaust hanger ( $17.00 )
26 12 1 226 657 center support ( $100.20)
25 11 1 222 651 mounting ( $19.37 )
25 11 1 222 365 shift a ( $23.26 )
MTL redline ynth mtl ( $18 )


6-speed transmission (msrp ~$5k)
clutch master and slave cylinders
flywheel ( msrp ~700 )
driveshaft ( msrp ~$700-800 )
pedal cluster
shifter and linkage

If memory serves me, which it doesn't always do correctly, Vines and Eurodepot had 5 speed swap packages for ~1200 plus shipping. If I hadn't already commited to purchasing misc parts from Bruno I would have gone with the swap package. Mine came in around 800 including rebuilding the driveshaft which was the single most expensive part. I certainly hope I don't need to ever replace the tranny again but at least for now the 265 tranny is readily available at Pick N Pull for <$100 but I've yet to see a e34 or e32 stick (is it a 260 trans?) at a Pick N Pull.

Not sure how much more a 6 speed would be. I did find a M 6 speed for 1800 when I was looking for parts.