5-speed swap beginning tomorrow - any hot tips?

[MattL]

On 4/26/2020 at 4:01 PM, jgerock said:

Please put the throw out bearing, cross bar and retaining spring inside the bell housing before going any further- and extend the stock reverse light wiring harness.  

I’m glad you mentioned this. I have a new 320i throw out bearing, but hadn’t even thought about the clutch fork. It didn’t come with the transmission, so I’ll be ordering a fork and retaining spring. Thanks for the nudge. 

[M3M3]

since you are using one of those craptastic horse's ass rear mounts, make sure to keep checking it regularly after install to watch for when it starts bending the stock tunnel mounts down causing the guibo alignment to go out.  that is assuming you can get the back of the trans aligned correctly with that mount.

 

or you could just do it correctly now with trans out and put real mounts in the tunnel.

 

just sayin'.....BTDT.

[jgerock]

On 4/26/2020 at 3:08 PM, MattL said:

I had actually JUST put my carpet back in after putting in new sound deadening mat and rubber insulation when I saw this cracked but repaired transmission from Resra. Couldn’t pass up the deal, but I do NOT want to take out the carpet again unless I’m forced to. So, I opted for the horseshoe bracket that uses the existing mounts. 

Stop.  You bought Blunts ultimate mounting kit but you’re going to use the u shaped mount attached to the stock 4 speed mounts in the tunnel?  Not advisable.  Strongest method is bolt on brackets that are supplied in the kit.  Also BTDT.

[MattL]

3 hours ago, mlytle said:

since you are using one of those craptastic horse's ass rear mounts, make sure to keep checking it regularly after install to watch for when it starts bending the stock tunnel mounts down causing the guibo alignment to go out.  that is assuming you can get the back of the trans aligned correctly with that mount.

 

or you could just do it correctly now with trans out and put real mounts in the tunnel.

 

just sayin'.....BTDT.

  
But how do you guys REALLY feel? ? Seriously, though, thank you for the emphatic input. The Blunttech kit actually arrived without a bracket, and the use-of-existing-mounts aspect of the Jackass bracket appealed to my sense of efficiency *cough* LAZINESS * cough*.  So, I asked Blunt to send one of those instead. I’ll go ahead and order the Gallant bracket and see if I can foist the Goofus model off on someone less susceptible to peer pressure than I. 

[Stevenola]

I have the same tranny jack and am about to do a 245 intall also.  I don't think the jack will extend high enough into the tunnel with the side strap mounts on, I'm going to cut mine off, the strap gets in the way anyway.

 

It's easy to line up the tranny output flange/guibo to the driveshaft if you bolt up but not tighten them all the way.  Leave about 1/8" gap and rotate the d/s, the wobble will be easy to see and correct by CSB manipulating - up/down side to side.

 

I also have the Blunt Ultimate kit, is there a thread on how to install said mounting brackets?  I couldn't find one. TIA.

[Henning]

6 hours ago, mlytle said:

since you are using one of those craptastic horse's ass rear mounts, make sure to keep checking it regularly after install to watch for when it starts bending the stock tunnel mounts down causing the guibo alignment to go out.  that is assuming you can get the back of the trans aligned correctly with that mount.

 

or you could just do it correctly now with trans out and put real mounts in the tunnel.

 

just sayin'.....BTDT.

 

Thank you indeed for that point, Marshal.

In my opinion the transmission has a certain weight and if not supported as close as possible to its rear end, the U-shaped bracket will work like a lever to the factory mounts.

What about getting an angle drill, setting carefully 8 holes and inserting threaded rivets M6? 2nd hand mounts should be available, I took them out of parts cars for 20 years now.

 

hen

(has also been there)

 

[MattL]

Just a quick update: I emailed Blunt this morning, and he already has all the parts on their way to me, at what seem like wholesale prices. That guy doesn't mess around. 

[Vicleonardo1]

Concerning the U shaped brackets. I have used that for my install.  I understand that it can act like a lever,  so I can see the concern about the stress placed on the standard mounts.

What I cannot find doing a quick search here is that if the bracket actually does does that.

 

I felt this was a decent option because it was an easier install, (less money for me) plus, what happens if/when my 5 speed gives out and I wish to re-install my 4 speed? 

 

Is there a way to add support to the U bracket, or is it actually necessary? 

[iinca]

make doubly sure that you measure the drive shaft length! I made the mistake of 'trusting' them to send the right length. WRONG....The one I got from Ireland was SHORT and was pulling/distorting my Guibo badly'backwards'....!!!!  I spent a full day wrestling the gearbox and diff (and center bearing) forward on their mounts. It took every bit of the available slots to shorten that distance 

 

ps: def' sh*tcan that horse sh*t rear mount. My first 5 speed car I bought came with one of those flimsy mounts. The gearbox blew off it's mount doing 75 on the freeway. I lost control and rolled the car 3 times and landed in a lake upside down....................................

 

 If you have to weld I'd weld...or take the time to pull

that one section of carpet and 'deadening and drill holes (with slots)

Edited April 29, 2020 by iinca

[jimk]

2 hours ago, Vicleonardo1 said:

 I understand that it can act like a lever,  so I can see the concern about the stress placed on the standard mounts.

What I cannot find doing a quick search here is that if the bracket actually does does that.

Of course it does, it has a torsional load iand it is approximately (in ft.lbs torque) the downward force of the transmission at the rubber mount / (3.15 / 12) .  Whether it bends the tunnel brackets, it would depend how much of a bump the car might go over.

 

Edited April 28, 2020 by jimk
Fixed the math

[M3M3]

2 hours ago, Vicleonardo1 said:

Concerning the U shaped brackets. I have used that for my install.  I understand that it can act like a lever,  so I can see the concern about the stress placed on the standard mounts.

What I cannot find doing a quick search here is that if the bracket actually does does that.

 

I felt this was a decent option because it was an easier install, (less money for me) plus, what happens if/when my 5 speed gives out and I wish to re-install my 4 speed? 

 

Is there a way to add support to the U bracket, or is it actually necessary? 

yes, it will most definitely bend down.  it is not just theory.  mine did in pretty short order.   the other issue with those u brackets is that they assume the factory installed the tunnel mounts perfectly level....which is a poor assumption given manufacturing 50 years ago.  if the tunnel mounts are not perfect, the u bracket will not be the correct height at the transmission mount.

 

while the u bracket looks cheap and easy, it is just a bad engineering solution.  doing it the right way is just not that hard.  install trans, align driveshaft, install support bar, mark where holes for new mounts need to be drilled, install.  done...the right way.

 

bonus..without the old tunnel brackets in the way, it is a lot easier to install the trans.

 

LOL! why would anyone ever want to reinstall a 4spd after doing the conversion? 

Edited April 28, 2020 by mlytle

[jimk]

44 minutes ago, mlytle said:

bonus..without the old tunnel brackets in the way, it is a lot easier to install the trans.

+1 on that.

[MattL]

I am really glad I started this post. 

[jgerock]

1 hour ago, MattL said:

I am really glad I started this post. 

I have to say there is a HUGE amount of information on this swap on this site.

[MattL]

47 minutes ago, jgerock said:

I have to say there is a HUGE amount of information on this swap on this site.

No doubt about it. But the argument against the cantilever bracket here is more compelling than I’ve seen elsewhere. I sure feel I’ve been saved from a very poor decision.