Automatic To Manual Trans Swap

just curious how hard and how much will cost to swap my 2003 325ci automatic transmission to a manual...anyone done this b4???

not worth it

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i have done it, was around 5800 or so with parts and labor a lot of aftermarket parts and programming that may have been cheaper for you so figure 5000+ to do it at a reputable shop.

I talked to a friend of mine who is into e30's. He seems to think that an e30 tranny will bolt up with some small modifications. So... Im planning on just buying an old e30 which... you can get all day long for 1 or 2 grand... then you have all the parts you need... just steal them off that car, put them in yours... and voila... you have stick. When my auto goes out, i'll be doing it.

Originally Posted by dirtbiker245

then you have all the parts you need... just steal them off that car, put them in yours... and voila... you have stick.

you really dont ..

check this thread for the ultimate e46 tranny swap DIY
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=396320

Originally Posted by dirtbiker245

I talked to a friend of mine who is into e30's. He seems to think that an e30 tranny will bolt up with some small modifications. So... Im planning on just buying an old e30 which... you can get all day long for 1 or 2 grand... then you have all the parts you need... just steal them off that car, put them in yours... and voila... you have stick. When my auto goes out, i'll be doing it.

There are differences between The E30 and E46 setups, some E30's came with single mass flywheels for one thing while others had Dual mass.

Also there are driveshaft differences, some of the E30's had larger tripod flanges while others had smaller, and the end of the driveshaft where the driveshaft meets the rear differential flange the E30 has studs and nuts that go through the flange as opposed to the E46 that is threaded on the diff side and torx bolts go through the driveshaft.

Also I'm not too sure of fitment to the but the E30 transmissions are slightly longer I beleive if I remember correctly. I've had quite a few out before just never thought to measure and compare them. If you look on www.realoem.com the driveshaft length for a E30 5 speed L=1498MM as oppsed to a longer shaft for an E46 323 of L=1585MM

The way the starter is bolted through the bellhousing s different as well using 2 17mm bolts and nuts on the E30 as opposed to the E46 which is threaded and uses torx style

These are just some of the differences I can think of off the top of my head, of course there are work arounds to some of them.

Jared

Thanks for correcting me on that then. I wasnt really sure about it, cause a friend had told me. But now I know. Im still learning about these cars. (Just got mine 2 weeks ago) Ive been mainly a JDM guy, but im starting to like this whole euro thing. haha.