Manual trans swap help
 

I have a 02 325i (AUTO).. need to do a manual swap to get this car going sideways. A person I know says that he has a trans but its a 95 325i 5 speed, will it work? If not can someone give me a complete list of usable trans. I am on a budget since I am starting to pay $14000 in student loans this december, so cant upright buy a complete swap for $1000-1200. PLEASE HELP


UPDATE: (2/22/13)
I HAVE EVERYTHING NOW FOR THE SWAP EXCEPT need to resurface the flywheel, new clutch, pads for the clutch assembly, and new bearings and bushings where there needed.

BTW I have 2 trans and 2 drivesahfts, I got the second from a 323i partout and wanted everything from 1 car instead of using the parts from the person I got from on here since I dont know if they came off 1 car or he collected them piece by piece.

Um... Get your flamesuit on OP

I'm not even sure where to start with telling you what a bad series of ideas you're about to embark upon.

1. How's your cooling system?
2. How's your suspension?
3. How's your subframe?
4. How's the rest of your maintenance?
5. If a grand is more than you can afford to spend on a transmission swap from auto to manual right now because of upcoming student loan repayments, you may want to swap cars fr something less maintenance intensive.

I dont have enough money to buy a cheap 240, so going manual to save money and have a better car than most

:facepalm: no e36 trans will not fit ! i have low mileage manual trans that i can sell you.

I'll help.

Get your priorities straight.

/help

how much for the trans, also whats included. Lastley do you also have parts for the swap

sell car
buy honda
get a job
buy M3

located a 323i manual trans at a auto salvage location, only $400. So picking that up this week since they are only opened Monday-Friday. So will need the clutch assembly and random other parts

A manual transmission swap is pricey, it's not cheap. That's why they're telling you to forget it. You'll need the clutch master cylinder, flywheel, clutch, pilot bushing, clutch lines, pressure plate, clutch slave assembly, release bearing, manual trans mounts 'I'm not sure if you need better mounts since they'll take more abuse--and all the bolts that go with it. Seeing you have school to pay it may not be the best route, you'll be stressed. I'm not telling you, you can't do it, it's just not financially smart at your point in life. Heck, as well as for me. I take it you want to have fun, so why not do smaller mods? Work on the exhaust, intake, or whatever. The best mod you can do if they offer it is a accessport or tuner program...something of that sort. I'm not sure if anyone offers it for your car, but hey it's worth a shot.

Let me guess, this is your only car?

Terrible idea is terrible.

OP's degree? English.

This was on my shopping list a few days ago. Obviously you are not going with a 6 speed or an upgraded flywheel and clutch. But this should give you an idea of what to expect. Also, you might find some items for cheaper or more expensive.

6 speed tranny from a 330 ZHP(1300), 6 bolt driveshaft (200), 6 bolt 3.07differential (400), UUC Short shifter,New (325), UUC DSSR,New (150), steel clutch line, New (25), clutch slave and master cylinder (70) shifter assembly and linkage (50) clutch pedal assembly (45), UUC lightweight flywheel and clutch setup, New (1150), transmission mounts and brackets (25) I still need a few small things that I need to buy before I can do the swap

You will have to spend more on flywheel and clutch, master and slave cylinder, etc. than on the used transmission. Moreover, all of these should not be taken from a junk yard.
I wouldn't say a manual stransmission swap is a bad idea since your automatic may go south anytime. The whole 325i-drifting-on-a-budget thing is highly questionable though.

Pay your debt. Maintain your car. Do stupid things if you can afford them.

Take if from someone who has done this and gone through the trials and tribulations, it's not trivial.

Beyond that, given your apparent self-admitted, financial situation take the advice given.

As an aside you're only part way there with a manual. You still have an open diff. If this is you're daily driver welding the diff isn't an option and any of the available LSD's are beyond your financial means, currently.

I agree with everyone else, It's not gonna be cheap. But Is it gonna be worth it? Probably. Atleast to me it is, I'm not sure about you.

reason why i wanna drift instead of just time attack is because that got boring and with hard times the only thing keeping me up is my car, so not stopping the mods and if I do that will be when the car is totaled. so a 323 trans will bolt right up to my motor? and need a 323 drivshaft, or will I need a custom size?

The other problem here is that you've got a 325i. Not exactly the best drift car in the world. I wouldn't even think of it on the top 25. Or even top 50.

Also, what makes you think drifting is a cheap sport?

trial and error

I agree. I have a couple of friends here in houston that drift, with very good jobs and even then, it's freaking expensive. Take in mind they drift one of the most common and near perfect choice for drifting, the 240sx. You drive a Bimmer, it can't be any cheaper than that ^ They're always going to O'reilly to buy more and more parts for the cars. They probably refresh the suspension more often that you replace your oil. I know you want to have fun.