what is the best upgrade for a automatic transmission

[BarneyT]

I purchased a 75 shell with an auto trans and no engine, I'm reworking the car and installing a known good engine I have no information if the automatic transmission is any good and I'm thinking of trying to find an upgrade automatic if I'm going this far down the road to "restore" this one owner...what would be the best year/model to look far in an automatic?   thanks Barney

 

this is what I have now...

[adawil2002]

Automatic cars are great candidates for 5-speed conversions because of the larger transmission tunnel.

 

As far as an upgrade for the automatic transmission, not sure there is one. If all the gears work it should last for years to come. I had an automatic that first gear was shot so I was starting out in second, that car was a blast to drive.

[FunkyLaneO]

There was a single year transmission that was an upgrade I believe, I think it was PatAllen that detailed his conversion.

 

You may want to search for 4HP-22, it was a 4 speed auto from a first year e30 318i before they switched to electronic, I believe it is pretty difficult to find one but if you do the conversion is pretty straightforward.

Edited December 12, 2016 by FunkyLaneO

[williamggruff]

To quote C.D. Diesel, "throw it in the neighbor's pool."

[mmichalik]

I have an automatic that has lasted forever.  I've personally put on 100k miles on this car in the last 10 years and it's just now giving me trouble.  Ironically, it's in the shop right now getting analyzed so we can fix it.  My mechanic as talking about the 4HP as an upgrade as well.  They are a bit shorter the stock 2002 automatic though so, there's driveline considerations to be made there.

 

5-speed is a good way to go as well but, I personally love driving mine as an automatic.  I can drink my coffee in the morning while going down the road with out much difficulty.  (and my 914 has a 5 speed so, I've got that when I need it)

[mmichalik]

I have an automatic that has lasted forever.  I've personally put on 100k miles on this car in the last 10 years and it's just now giving me trouble.  Ironically, it's in the shop right now getting analyzed so we can fix it.  My mechanic as talking about the 4HP as an upgrade as well.  They are a bit shorter the stock 2002 automatic though so, there's driveline considerations to be made there.

 

5-speed is a good way to go as well but, I personally love driving mine as an automatic.  I can drink my coffee in the morning while going down the road with out much difficulty.  (and my 914 has a 5 speed so, I've got that when I need it)

[BarneyT]

My desire is to keep it an automatic...thanks for the information FunkyLaneO...does anyone know the year range for the 318i automatic I should look for?
 

[FunkyLaneO]

Something for you to chew on:

Unfortunately not as straightforward as seem to recall thinking it was.

 

 

[Henning]

A pic to compare:

 

 

hen

 

[Son of Marty]

Hey Barney love the nails an old hot rod trick for filling holes, works good.

[dorwoon]

Murray Fowler kept the transmissions automatics in both his 2002 and e9 because his bad knee made it hard for him to shift. After a while he realized that the "Automatic" logos on the trunk made his cars rather unique because so many had been removed by other owners.

 

[TobyB]

The nails work with a slide hammer to pull dents out of panels, and also ironically, shrink them as well.  A nail welder is really useful.  I have a cheapo...

 

Personally I'd upgrade an automatic with an S54 and 6- speed, but I have an abject dislike of slushboxes...

 

no help here,

 

t

 

[Neildo11]

If you have any interest in an engine swap Jake at classic daily did an M42 with an e36 auto

[NickVyse]

as those linked threads show you need the 4hp22 from an early 318 m10 engined e30 that doesn't have any electronics - no switchable sport mode. Probably easier to find in the US than Europe - just managed to score one myself for my 2000CA. If you find one try to get the gear lever linkage - you may need elements to make it work with the original (my box hasn't arrived yet so I have no more detail). I also grabbed the oil cooler and lines. 

 

Good luck

 

Cheers, Nick

[BarneyT]

Thanks Nick and all others this has been very helpful and pointed my search in the right direction...its all up to bmw karma now.