Update:

Today I went to a machineshop recommended by my indy. They said I can probably drop the crank and conrods right in. Depending on the pistons, they may have to rework them a bit to make sure TDC is still the same. They said that as far as they can remember, BMW used the same liner height in M60 and M62 engines (but they were not 100% sure). All Mahle liners they could order for M60 and M62 engines also had the same height.

So one way or another, drop-in or with slight reworking, I think I can get that B35 stroke.


In addition, I was planning to overhaul another 5HP18 box as I could then put my current M60B30+Overhauled 5HP18 on a pallet in stock. It could one day find its way to an E38 or another E34.
However, to ensure the 5HP18 will easily take that 320-340Nm this M60B35 will put out, I plan on strengthening the clutches. I will do so by adding 1 clutchplate and 1 steelplate per clutch pack. I will then use the thinnest snap ring ZF has to offer. After measuring end clearence, I will, if nessecary, machine the end plate and all steel plates a bit to compensate for the increased clutch pack height. I think I can get away with this.

This would lead to a 5HP18 (which already went from 3 or 4 to 4 or 5) that has 5 or 6 clutches per pack. Line pressure will stay the same as pressurework is risky. Since I will ensure the end clearance is still 100% within ZF factory limits, the valve body and AGS would still be able to correctly apply each pack.

Can anyone comment on this idea?