How much will E46 tranny hold?

[Detox]

Hey I am new to bimmers and just window shopping at this point looking at 01-03 330 or 325 with a manual. I am from the world of wrx’s and glass trannies though I understand there are lots of differences between these cars I have searched and searched for how good the 01-03 E46 manual trannies are but all I have gotten is that their good for a lot. How much power can they hold? Will it be fine with a ESS TS2? Will the clutch and gears hold 300whp and 300tq? 350? 400?

Thanks for the help you guys have a sweet community here.

[stang65]

I know mine only took one mishift at 80mph. I said goodbye to secound gear

[zeshon]

The standard trannys seem quite powerful, and I have a supercharger on my 328 on the original clutch, and mine is rock solid.

[HighBoostin330]

BMW manual transmission are know to be very strong. With the ESS TS, you do not need to worry about your transmission going out on you. You will be very happy with your TS2. :thumbsup:

[Detox]

So a stock manual tranny is good for 300whp/tq then. Is it good for 400whp/tq or is that pushing it? I am just trying to get an estimate to help me understand more. But 300whp/tq is good for a stock tranny. WRX***8217;s are blowing trannies after 50,000 miles with that power.

[HighBoostin330]

So a stock manual tranny is good for 300whp/tq then. Is it good for 400whp/tq or is that pushing it? I am just trying to get an estimate to help me understand more. But 300whp/tq is good for a stock tranny. WRX's are blowing trannies after 50,000 miles with that power.

I'll tell you when I get my dyno done. I am more than confident it will hold beyond 400rwhp.

[bobm3]

but i think it depends how you drive her if you beat on the tranny it will go faster ....
bobm3 :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[HighBoostin330]

but i think it depends how you drive her if you beat on the tranny it will go faster ....
bobm3 :thumbsup::thumbsup:

From what I have heard the 5-speed transmission from the E46 is similar to the 5-speed inside the E36 M3 that hold over 1000bhp. The 6-speed transmission is a two piece compared to the three piece like the M3 transmission. Supposedly it is strong which was one of the reasons the Z4M uses that same transmission. Regardless, the weak link in the engine and drive train is definitely not the transmission.

[Detox]

Regardless, the weak link in the engine and drive train is definitely not the transmission.

What is the weakest link as you increase power then?

[gen247]

Now, if you take this subject to automatic step then maybe the weakiest link will be the tranny. Haha

[LagunaBlau///M3]

What is the weakest link as you increase power then?


I think the weakest link is the Diff? and the axles.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

[HighBoostin330]

What is the weakest link as you increase power then?

My guess would be the subframe and then the clutch. :dunno:

[TxZHP04]

What is the weakest link as you increase power then?

With any luck, the flex disc (aka, the guibo).

[SimonM]

I've got a 1999 E46 323i manual. It's had an Infinitas SK1 (ASA s/c) on it for the last 3 years. I regularly redline it, dyno showed 184rwkw after conversion (was 96rwkw before). It had about 90,000km when the kit went in, about 138,000 now (damn, not enough km's!). I've blown 2nd gear (after 2 years of s/c). The rear subframe pulled out of the floor early in the piece. I also replaced the clutch with an M3 dual mass one when the kit went in (the original clutch had just died right when I was booked in for the upgrade). I've also done the guibo.

I've been told that the 'big' gearbox out of the M3 might be the go if the current 'small' one should die. Which is a fair chance since I picked up the car today after fitting a smaller pulley (rough guess 7.2lbs boost at 6500rpm - old one was 6lbs at 6500. Engine is stock, no decompressed).

[LagunaBlau///M3]

My guess would be the subframe and then the clutch. :dunno:


+1

[Detox]

Thanks for the info guys. LagunaBlau///M3 what rims are you rolling on in your sig?

[LagunaBlau///M3]

Thanks for the info guys. LagunaBlau///M3 what rims are you rolling on in your sig?


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