Manual trans swap help

Im getting ready to do a swap in my 325i.. only because my 328ci was totalled and I have a complete donor car (minus driveshaft) to do the swap.. And Im still on the fence about it. Only reason I would do the swap is because the 325 is my dd and I want it to be more reliable.. Id never consider tracking it, especially on a limited budget.. drift is terrible abuse on any vehicle, especially BMW. Just my 2 cents

The e36 transmission will bolt up, but can't confirm or deny the shifter or driveshaft will work.

You will spend over $2,000 on the swap if nothing goes wrong and you do EVERYTHING yourself.

Transmission: ~$600
Driveshaft: ~$250
Flywheel/clutch: ~$400
Other parts, fluids, tools: ~$750+


Here is one of my parts lists. It is probably missing stuff and has some extra things you don't need, but it gives you an idea.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3q...0p5eE1jMS1NRG8

$14K in debt and you want to spend money on a depreciating asset? I thought us Americans were starting to get smarter with our money. I guess not. I hate to give people financial/life advice on these forums. I know that's not waht you want, but damn it man, you're going to **** yourself. If you think spending money on your car while in debt is going to make you happy...I really don't know what to say.

Turning a E46 into a drift car thats not an M is a waste of time and money

1.Find dsc button.
2.Turn it off.
3.Go sideways.
4.Crash into tree.
5.New thread about crashing into tree.

Kids these days.....

Most people here do a 5 spd swap because their auto died and they rather put in a manual then an auto.

If your auto is fine just sell the car and get a 5 spd. Generally an auto sells easier and for more than a manual. With the extra money you get, I highly recommend a safety helmet so when you go drifting you don't break your neck while you lose control

buy an e30

I have plenty of friends that drift, a drift shop (G-Werx) hooking me up with trans swap for $400, and guarantee swap correct, 2 day swap and test for problems. Have a friend who will do it for $300 but have helped him work on cars and I promised myself I wont let him touch my baby. I know its not cheap but parents dont want me 2 get a thrasher so this will BECOME the thrasher and daily. Have about 3/4 of the swap parts already, just need a shift boot, knob, clutch pedal assembly since the 1 I bought is broken, resurface the flywheel, and buy another clutch cuz screw installing a used clutch

my auto acts up sometimes but should be fine for a few more months the way Im on it... every time it rains I find a nice open parking lot and mess around

traction control is perminetley disabled so hitting the button as well as holding it for a while doesnt do anything, Ive been driving the car for 2 years like that, and only broke a control arm so thanks. And that was in the rain going drifting in the rain pretty fast and like a dip in parking lot snagged the wheel somehow and forced it to brake. Im 20, 21 in 3 months a kid maybe, but a man behind the BMW lol

Originally Posted by Krystian_E46

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

Yes it will...

E36 328, E46 328, and E46 330 use the same transmission. Which itself is a slightly updated version of the E36 325 transmission (same physical dimensions if I recall).

That 325 transmission with a 328 slave cylinder and driveshaft should do the trick

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

Yes it will...

E36 328, E46 328, and E46 330 use the same transmission. Which itself is a slightly updated version of the E36 325 transmission (same physical dimensions if I recall).

That 325 transmission with a 328 slave cylinder and driveshaft should do the trick

Doesn't the e36 m3 have the same manual trans as the e46 328?

OP just by the things you are saying we can tell you don't know anything about drifting, let alone Motorsport. Do you even know what an LSD is? No. Not a drug.
What do you plan to do when something expensive on your car lets go during an event? Can you afford a $200 tow home with a $2000 repair bill and to go without a car for a month?

The rule in Motorsport is be prepared financially to take a total loss on the car you're driving at all times.
It's pretty apparent that you're nowhere close to that.

Originally Posted by peytonracer4

Doesn't the e36 m3 have the same manual trans as the e46 328?

US M3, yes. E36 328 has the same transmission as well

Originally Posted by driftingSOCALE46

Im 20, 21 in 3 months a kid maybe, but a man behind the BMW lol

At least your financial priorities are in order.

Originally Posted by peytonracer4

Doesn't the e36 m3 have the same manual trans as the e46 328?

OP just by the things you are saying we can tell you don't know anything about drifting, let alone Motorsport. Do you even know what an LSD is? No. Not a drug.
What do you plan to do when something expensive on your car lets go during an event? Can you afford a $200 tow home with a $2000 repair bill and to go without a car for a month?

The rule in Motorsport is be prepared financially to take a total loss on the car you're driving at all times.
It's pretty apparent that you're nowhere close to that.

That's a good rule. The only form of racing where I'd say you can get away with not following that is autocross in a very open lot.

Originally Posted by WDE46

That's a good rule. The only form of racing where I'd say you can get away with not following that is autocross in a very open lot.

Which is exactly why I autocross. Lol. I can't afford to loose my car either.

Originally Posted by 3coupe

You will spend over $2,000 on the swap if nothing goes wrong and you do EVERYTHING yourself.

Transmission: ~$600
Driveshaft: ~$250
Flywheel/clutch: ~$400
Other parts, fluids, tools: ~$750+


Here is one of my parts lists. It is probably missing stuff and has some extra things you don't need, but it gives you an idea.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3q...0p5eE1jMS1NRG8

How about the differential? Wouldn't the ratio be too high with the auto diff?
3.15 vs. 3.46

Damn son, I be turning 21 around the same time as you. Fvck I wanna go drifting in the rain, badass sh!t there. Tearin yo subframe, replacing them struts er month, new tires er month. But sh!t dog drifta lyfe 4 evr, don't crash! But seriously sell your 325i and buy a 240sx or something, also why would your parents even support you drifting?

Originally Posted by peytonracer4

Doesn't the e36 m3 have the same manual trans as the e46 328?

OP just by the things you are saying we can tell you don't know anything about drifting, let alone Motorsport. Do you even know what an LSD is? No. Not a drug.
What do you plan to do when something expensive on your car lets go during an event? Can you afford a $200 tow home with a $2000 repair bill and to go without a car for a month?

The rule in Motorsport is be prepared financially to take a total loss on the car you're driving at all times.
It's pretty apparent that you're nowhere close to that.

yes I know what a LSD is, god that is pretty dumb to ask. a open diff is fine for a amateur at the track but not competitions, and cant even get a sick angle cuz the stupid grip. and diff is not the only thing needed for drifting also a good suspension is.. and if a vehicle has a ton hp then the front needs to have chamber to grip better in turns. I know more about drifting than probably anyone who commented on the thread. BTW my trans ****ed up but the reverse is still good just shifts bad on its own (it likes slams itself into 4th from 3rd rough when flooring it). **** people talk about me like I dont know **** about what Im doing, but now pretty damn well. Im better off than the dumb ****s spending money on drugs (i use to smoke bud but outgrew that ****)... today some dumb ****s were smoking crystal meth in the parking lot of the track, bud isnt bad but who the **** is that dumb 2 be doing that ****