my trannys going out!!!

[kaotek323i]

so my trannys on its way out.. its slipping real bad.. now if i can get together about 3-4k what would you guys think i should do?? i have a vf kit on my car..
rebuild my stock tranny(regular non-step)
get a used step tranny
do a 5speed conversion(i dont know if i have enough for this)

[bernstem]

so my trannys on its way out.. its slipping real bad.. now if i can get together about 3-4k what would you guys think i should do?? i have a vf kit on my car..
rebuild my stock tranny(regular non-step)
get a used step tranny
do a 5speed conversion(i dont know if i have enough for this)

If you replace or rebuild your current transmission you will simply have the same problem somewhere down the road.

For that reason, I would suggest a manual conversion if you want to keep this car and you can swing the extra cost. If you do opt for a manual conversion, why 5-speed and not a 6-speed or M3 transmission? Both will bolt up and aside from the slightly higher cost of a 6-speed (M3 is a lot more), labor is the same so the cost difference isn't much.

Now for my shameless plug. If you are interested I have a 5-speed I can sell you. Send me a PM if you want.

[mr.325i]

i dont mean to thread jack but what do you mean wen the transmission slips?

[SaaDiesel]

How many miles are on your car? Get it inspected so you can be sure.
Def. do not rebuild your existing tranny, & since you have the opportunity to swap in a manual why the hell not?? Especially since you have F/I! Unless you have some odd bias or preference against it. Plenty of members including Navin have completed the swap successfully. Bernstem couldnt be more right in saying you could face the same problems down the road, so why take the risk?
Sick car btw:)

[JK1150]

i dont mean to thread jack but what do you mean wen the transmission slips?

when you push on the gas pedal, the rpms go up but the car doesn't accelerate even though you are in gear or in drive.

[mr.325i]

when you push on the gas pedal, the rpms go up but the car doesn't accelerate even though you are in gear or in drive.

oh ok much appreciated jk1150:thanks:

[RACEMX-M3]

when you push on the gas pedal, the rpms go up but the car doesn't accelerate even though you are in gear or in drive.

This could also be a clutch slipping.

[SaaDiesel]

This could also be a clutch slipping.

Its an auto.

[simsima325]

5spd, ur just gonna blow another auto if you repair or buy a used auto.

[whoami]

thats a shame, gl on ur rebuild

do you have a gm tranny or zf?

[boosted323]

thats a shame, gl on ur rebuild

do you have a gm tranny or zf?

99-00 323 came with gm tranny. I went through the same **** about a year ago. Swapped for a 5 speed e36 m3 trans.\.

[BimmerDude18]

99-00 323 came with gm tranny. I went through the same **** about a year ago. Swapped for a 5 speed e36 m3 trans.\.E36 M3 5 speed is also the same transmission that is in the E36 328's just FYI to the OP.

You should be able to find one for a pretty decent price if you look for E36 328, M3, and E46 323 and 328 parts. All are pretty solid ZF 5-speeds, and can be had for $1,000 or less (depending on included parts). A clutch and flywheel can be had for $600 or less, depending on new or used, and grade, don't turn down used flywheels if you can buy new wear surfaces. Shifter linkage you can live with stock for a while (find someone who installed a short shift kit) or find a cheap SSK with the carrier (most good kits include it). The rest of the parts are pretty specific and relatively minor in cost.

Good luck, I agree with manual swap, unless you get a seriously put together rebuild on the auto it will fail again. GM has a lot of solid auto's, but the ones they sold BMW need more than minor tweaking to hold the power.

[kaotek323i]

how complicated is it to go auto to stick? do the clutch pedal and clutch fluid resevoir have to be drilled and stuff to bolt up? or are all the holes already there.. shoot id love to go 5speed (i think 6 is out of my budget).. anyone got any links to this?

[BimmerDude18]

how complicated is it to go auto to stick? do the clutch pedal and clutch fluid resevoir have to be drilled and stuff to bolt up? or are all the holes already there.. shoot id love to go 5speed (i think 6 is out of my budget).. anyone got any links to this?
I'd PM everyone I've seen post about having the swap done. I honestly don't know the nitty gritty for the E46, there was a "bible" thread of sorts for this swap in E36's, and it got passed around anytime someone had this issue, I'm sure the information is there for the E46, just ask around.

[bernstem]

I'd PM everyone I've seen post about having the swap done. I honestly don't know the nitty gritty for the E46, there was a "bible" thread of sorts for this swap in E36's, and it got passed around anytime someone had this issue, I'm sure the information is there for the E46, just ask around.

These threads should help you.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=396320 - this one looks quite thorough with step by step pics and a nearly complete parts list.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=594112 - this one is less complete, but seems to have some good info.

If you do want to move ahead with this and are looking for a transmission and flywheel, send me a PM. I know I still have a 5MT sitting around and am pretty sure I have the stock flywheel.

[BimmerDude18]

That first link is an incredible resource.

[kaotek323i]

great info bro... i called around and the 5speed would be way over my budget.. if i rebuild the tranny is there anything special that i can have them do to it while its out?

[MachRc]

you can try level ten like kywong chi(i forget his exact username)

a local fanatic Tony nygen here has done his 5-speed mod and cost him 1700$ all DIY.

[kaotek323i]

whats level ten?

[//ModMaster]

so my trannys on its way out.. its slipping real bad.. now if i can get together about 3-4k what would you guys think i should do?? i have a vf kit on my car..
rebuild my stock tranny(regular non-step)
get a used step tranny
do a 5speed conversion(i dont know if i have enough for this)


How many miles did u put on the car since supercharged till the tranny started slipping?

Oh and Level10 is a company that makes performance transmission systems,Torque converters,etc... to make the Auto tranny withstand more torque .

[kaotek323i]

about 5k miles.. but my tranny has about 150k.. so it was just a matter of time..

how can i figure out the make/number on my tranny?

[//ModMaster]

about 5k miles.. but my tranny has about 150k.. so it was just a matter of time..

how can i figure out the make/number on my tranny?

You can find out here:

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

It should be the ZF tranny (A5S325Z).

[D-Ge46]

is the car car automatic or manual might have a tranny

[//ModMaster]

is the car car automatic or manual might have a tranny


Autotragic

[kaotek323i]

i called the dealer and i have the gm model a5s360r

[kaotek323i]

is the car car automatic or manual might have a tranny

its auto bro

[bluejeansonfire]

i have a 5 speed, that though working, has seen better days. It's the e46 330 tranny. I can sell you this tranny for $250+ship. I could also include the crossmember, which I'm fairly certain is different. If you would like I also have a 330ci driveshaft, which is a potentially solvable complication (i think sedan is different length, and I know 330s have unique diff connection, but it can be changed, on either the diff or the driveshaft). I can't say I have a full good shifter (rogue octane), i have everything minus the shifter selector rod. If you want to buy my clutch/flywheel setup it's a uuc setup, it's got about 30k miles, the clutch is still grabbing super strong, but it may be kinda sold already. Let me know what you want, if anything.
You'd further need a new brake/clutch pedalbox with a the clutch master cylinder, and a selector rod.

[bernstem]

great info bro... i called around and the 5speed would be way over my budget.. if i rebuild the tranny is there anything special that i can have them do to it while its out?

In what way too expensive? I'm kind of surprised since the parts cost should be less than the cost of a new auto transmission. Labor will be more, but I wouldn't think it would be that much more - especially if you factor in the possibility of ruining your new or rebuilt transmission.

[simsima325]

so you can afford the supercharger, but not a new tranny now that you have destroyed it?

maybe sell the SC and straighten out priorities?

[330i ZHP]

i have a step you can buy

[boosted323]

great info bro... i called around and the 5speed would be way over my budget.. if i rebuild the tranny is there anything special that i can have them do to it while its out?

Bro you realize you can get a used 5 speed for like $700 you just gotta seach around call a couple different Racing shops. Ex. evosport, vac, korman just to name a few. I got everything from VAC trans, driveshaft, ssk, clutch, flywheel, and conversion kit for a very reasonable price.

[kaotek323i]

yea im still trying to find out what all i need and who i can get it from here locally..

[mav909]

is labour alot on a tranny?

[SlumminE46]

Auto tranny rebuilds are very expensive. Valve bodies, torque converters, and so on. If youre trying to go inexpensive, look for a low milage used auto and bolt it in. Its problably not too much cheaper to rebuild the auto compared to a 5sp swap imho.

Also try this website: Car-part.com you'll find everything you'd ever need there

~Adam

[kaotek323i]

i got quoted for 2700 to rebuild my auto tranny with a bit better internals.. sooo my 5speed swap is looking better already

[kaotek323i]

dropped the car off at the shop to get a 5speed installed.. already purchased uuc stage 2 clutch/flywheel kit and a stainless clutch line

[330i ZHP]

with the low cost of 6spd's, why did you do a 5spd?

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

OP, I actually have a 2000 323i (DD) with 142K miles. How many miles do you have being boosted? I ask bc Im considering on some FI kit for my 323i. Its an auto (non-step) too. OT: But, Im so glad I joined this forum.

EDIT: I see where you said 5k!

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

Sorry, I forgot to ask how much power is the car making??

[BimmerDude18]

Sorry, I forgot to ask how much power is the car making??
I wouldn't boost the 323 and keep the auto. The failure is inevitable.

[bcs325ci]

So how much would a auto-step to 6 speed stick roughly be at best with labor? Just curious.

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

I wouldn't boost the 323 and keep the auto. The failure is inevitable.

Yea, I know.... i was just wondering about how long it would last. I think if I kept the boost low it would do pretty good.

[kaotek323i]

with the low cost of 6spd's, why did you do a 5spd?

i couldnt find a good 6speed locally..

[richyboycaldo]

Just rebuit your tranny with IPT performance parts for your step. 800 for the rebuilt parts, and 700 for a a new valve bodies and lines. With those mods your step is probabaly gonna shift as fast an SMG or manual!