worthwile to put a 5 speed in a 540/6?

[jbraswell]

I've been looking around for a 6 speed for my 540i. The only ones that I've found have been $1500+.. Thats what I have in the entire car. How bad off would I be with a 530i 5 speed, and what modifications would I have to make? I'm sure the gears are probably taller, but with a 3.64 LSD would the performance difference be enough to spend twice as much for the 6 speed?

There are 3 5 speeds within 200 miles of me with less than 120k all for less that $800... For that price I'd almost assume take the risk on a used 5 speed. What, if any, modifications would I have to make, or better yet, has anyone on here done this swap?

I did search, and found that it was plausible, but not much info other than that

[Jehu]

I'm gonna drop $2,000.00 on a new Kevlar clutch and new dual mass flywheel. if you wanna play you gotta pay. Break out the plastic!

[Johntee540]

You can pick up a six speed from an e39 as well and they are pretty available if you need the six speed. As far as putting in the 5 speed - Why? - JT

[jbraswell]

Your car doesn't look like a $1500 540 though either. When you have as much work to do as I do with this one, saving several hundred dollars here or there doesn't hurt

6 speeds run from ~1300+
5 speeds from ~500+

[Jehu]

Ahh, well i appreciate the compliment and hope you can find the resources and an affordably priced 6 speed transmission. I always get a kick out of slamming that stick back into sixth and launching her .. and with this Kevlar clutch I'll be able to do that with reckless abandon, at least for a little while.

[brosher]

It's actually pretty common to come across 94 540's that have been converted using a 5spd.

[jbraswell]

Where at? I saw a couple posts on roadfly saying that the 530i 5 sp would work, but most people over there probably dropped there AT car off at a shop and picked it up 3 weeks later with a 5 speed.

I need some real world experience here. I'm going to assume you need the 530i driveshaft at least, I really doubt these trans have the exact same dimensions.