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donor transmissions....not for an o2


esty

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ummm.... how about an E30 transmission???

I don't know what you got but the M2 guys need a different tranny than the M20 guys so I assume they are a different pattern. Remember geometry & congruence? if A=B and B=C than A=C If you have a M20 you prolly need an E21 323i or E30 M20 gearbox... if you got an M10-4banger in there you prolly can get away with the E21 5-spd, various 2002 trannys and the E30 trannys

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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but not to any 6 cylinder e30's. Don't know about any difference in length between 4 cylinder trannies from the e21 and e30.

Also, just a thought; before you blame the transmission, make sure the shifter platform and bushing are in good condition. A real loose shifter platform may keep you from getting the car into certain gears. My e28 after long trips will be hard to get into reverse, but seems all right after sitting over night. Also, FWIW, Redline MTL seems to help boarderline syncros.

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esty there are millions (maybe not quiet millions but lots) of 6-cyl M20 motor E30's Look for anything out of a 325i,e,es or is. All 5-speeds from any of those will work. Also a 323i 6-cyl M20 5-spd will also work but as others mention I'm not so sure about the length.

Boneyards should be able to sell you a transmission in good order for a fair price (maybe $300). Depends on where you live. Pull yourself and probably save some cash. Also bet you someone here has one they can sell you for a fair price. Personally I'd look for a gearbox out of a clean car or look for an e, es or i car. The 325is cars tend to get driven a little harder. Not always but I drove mine harder!

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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The easy way to save yourself some grief is just get another E30 325i trans. I've found that later model BMWs (post E21s) seem to have a lot of variations which aren't compatible with each other. If you buy a 325e trans for your 325i, you may well need the 325e driveshaft, or shifter, or whatever, too.

BMWCCA #2762
72 2002/71 2002ti, 67 2000CS, 2x 72 3.0CS
86 635, 2x 05 330Ci ZHP, 
'11 Corvette Grand Sport

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Ohh, Esty,

Bill is 100% correct. There are a couple of different size flex joints ("Guibos") used on various E30 trannies. It's not a huge problem if you get a tranny with a different size output flange- you can just swap the flange from the old tranny to the new one. Driveshaft length should not be an issue as long as you stick with 5 speed 325/325e/325es/325i/325is cars as the donor.

Bret

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