M20 swap question..no luck on site search

[Gbare02tii]

looking to fing a tranny for my M20 swap other than a 323i euro trans.

Looking for smallest trans that bolts to M20...your thoughts?

If not, Do you have a 323i trans for sale?

[LarsAlpina]

Use tranny from E30 325i - not smaller but maybe easier to find in US. Will have to mod speedo to electronic though.

Regards, Lars.

[Guest]

The late E30 318i, 90-91, fits and is about the same size as the standard E21 5spd. I haven't had one in front of me bolted to a block but what I've heard is it has a 10 degree tilt(rotational I assume) compared to the M20's Getrag 260 so the shifter may be leaning a bit towards the passenger(or driver, IDK). S99 on this board is using that tranny in his swap.

The other option is the M20's standard Getrag 260 which does require some tunnel modifications, a hammer and a cut-off disc to make some slits in the tunnel so it can stretch. The advantage of using that transmission is(with the mount I make) you can use the stock E30 driveshaft with out modifying it(according to tinkwithanr). I'm going to be doing two of these swaps starting the week after next so hopefully I'll be able to confirm that.

As for the guibo which I've had a lot of confusion over. All of the 3-bolt driveshafts for the 5spd E21 320i, E30 318i, E30 325i(occasionally on "eta" cars too), and auto E30's are the same pattern 6 10mm bolts on a 90something mm spacing.

[Gbare02tii]

Thanks for your help guys..I am picking up an M20 and 5spd on Tuesday...Minimal, What would you charge me for all the mounts I need?

I think I will try to use the 325i tranny..Speedo doesn't matter much, It will be mostly a track car so I can Use GPS when on the street. Cutis and I are doing the swap at his house so I am in good hands. We are going to use the VW radiator too. So I should grab the driveshaft out of the 325is and use it without cutting?

[TobyB]

he late E30 318i, 90-91

Is that the same as the e36 318 diff?

It has no overdrive (5th is 1:1) so it'd be good for a track car.

Someone was selling adaptors to hook them to an M10, as a

'closer- ratio' trans than what we have.

It's a perfectly servicable box, and it's not that big.

fwiw.

t

[allbim]

Thanks for your help guys..I am picking up an M20 and 5spd on Tuesday...Minimal, What would you charge me for all the mounts I need?

I think I will try to use the 325i tranny..Speedo doesn't matter much, It will be mostly a track car so I can Use GPS when on the street. Cutis and I are doing the swap at his house so I am in good hands. We are going to use the VW radiator too. So I should grab the driveshaft out of the 325is and use it without cutting?

There are several manufacturers that make GPS based speedometers. The link takes you to one of them.

http://www.speedhut.com/custom_gauge_description-gauge_type-Speedometer_GPS-auto_number-861.htm

[-=Charley]

If you mount the motor really low (like an inch off the crossmember), you can use the 260 trans w/out cutting the tunnel. You might have to bang a little in the clutch slave area, but minimal. also, don't run 3.91 gearing in back unless you want to turn the car back into a 4spd.. because 1st will be un-useable.

North Hollywood speedo can sell you a vdo speedometer with a hall-effect sensor that you can fit into a standard '02 cluster. just ask for Kevin.

[allbim]

If you mount the motor really low (like an inch off the crossmember), you can use the 260 trans w/out cutting the tunnel. You might have to bang a little in the clutch slave area, but minimal. also, don't run 3.91 gearing in back unless you want to turn the car back into a 4spd.. because 1st will be un-useable.

North Hollywood speedo can sell you a vdo speedometer with a hall-effect sensor that you can fit into a standard '02 cluster. just ask for Kevin.

I think drive-shaft and guibo allignment would be a problem with the engine low in the car.

[-=Charley]

nope. space the center bearing

[allbim]

nope. space the center bearing

You will then end up with a small angle at the diff. Probably will work fine.

[-=Charley]

that's what the joint at the end of the shaft is for.

[Guest]

he late E30 318i, 90-91

Is that the same as the e36 318 diff?

It has no overdrive (5th is 1:1) so it'd be good for a track car.

Someone was selling adaptors to hook them to an M10, as a

'closer- ratio' trans than what we have.

It's a perfectly servicable box, and it's not that big.

fwiw.

t

I'm not entirely sure about the diff. The internals are the same size and I'm pretty sure the rear diff cover has the same bolt pattern(the medium case E36 and E30 diffs have the same diff cover bolt pattern) but I don't think the mounts are the same.

Interesting on the gearbox, I didn't know that. Who makes that adapter plate? That would mean a G260 could be fitted behind an M10 which would be awesome!

Gbare, email me with the button above, mounts are $125 shipped for the motor mounts. Haven't made a tranny mount but I will very soon. I'm also going to be making a strut brace with integrate engine torque brace.