Now I've Done It...

#1

I picked up a 1989 325is this weekend. Idles like crap, needs an auto-to-manual tranny swap, has few redeeming parts to strip and sell. But I love it.

Dunno if I am a genius or a dumbass, but it feels like the best $1,000 I’ve spent in a while. I am looking forward to getting on track with you guys - this time NOT in one of those pesky spec miatas.:laugh:

I don’t know how long the build will take. At this point, the big show at Mid Ohio is still a possibility.

I hope you guys don’t mind dumb questions…
:unsure:

Steve D.

PS - Thanks to Carter for the warm e-mail welcome when I signed up a few days ago.

#2

Steve, where in the SE are you?

#3

I am in Atlanta, GA. Buckhead, to be specific. Home of too many BMWs, too few BMW racecars.:woohoo:

#4

Welcome…It’ll be a decision you never regret.

I just happen to have been offered a set of parts for the auto to manual swap “kit” this morning. If you’d like, send me an e-mail and I’ll put you in touch with the guy who has the parts. Parts are located in Chicago and came out of a 325es. Obviously the diff is wrong but the rest should work fine.

Don
p911sc44@hotmail.com

#5

Don -

Thanks for the offer. I think I have a line on the swap parts from a friend in Memphis.

Unless I’m mistaken, the LSD that comes in the ‘is’ is the one I need, right?

Anybody out there with good/bad experience with remanufactured or alternate driveshafts? Do you all get rid of the vibration damper/flex disk/guibo thingie?

Thanks for entertaining my noob questions.

Steve

#6

Welcome Stever.

The LSD jhhas a metal tag, upper right side looking from the back, will have a 373 and an “S” This is the diff you need.

Stock drive shafts should be readily available in salvage yards. Not sure about getting one made; haven’t heard of anyone going that route.

You can lose the vibration damper, but the flex disk/guibo needs to stay, as it is an essential component of the drive train.

Ed

#7

Steve, for a really off-beat suggestion, you could call Robert Patton (ace SpecE30 builder and racer here in Cumming) and work a tradein/trade for his ready-to-run 87 SpecE30 car. He has two and one is for sale. By the time you’re done, you’ll have spent about as much money or more, and put in a ton of work.

I’m sure he’d entertain taking your car as a street-car project for himself. Give him a call at 770.886.2500

#8

Steve D wrote:

[quote]Unless I’m mistaken, the LSD that comes in the ‘is’ is the one I need, right?
[/quote] Ed is correct on checking your diff, but I believe some 89 is automatics were built with 4.10 LSD units. Not good for us, but that diff does have market value if you need to sell it. The driveshafts, I believe, are different between auto and manual, so you’ll need to source a manual driveshaft.

Also, to avoid a typical noob mistake, the driveshaft has a splined joint (and bearing) in the middle. The halves are matched during balancing, so if you have to separate the sections, mark them well.

#9

Steve D wrote:

I have the other BMW racecar in Buckhead. Let me know if you ever want to grab a bite to eat and talk SpecE30.

:slight_smile:

#10

Steve,let’s see:10K to build one

Professionally built cost more 'cause labor is not free: figure 18-20K

I’ve got a race-proven car that is essentially brand-new. I’ve built 3 of them. Price is 15K. Yes, we can discuuss a trade, or for that matter, anything e30 related as I’ve been around the block a time or two.

Welcome to Spec E30. Call if you have questions 770-886-2500

Regards, Robert Patton

#11

Robert -

Thanks for your time on the phone today. I’ve still got some head scratching to do. I know it makes better $ sense to buy a built car, but I really enjoyed the build process last time.

I’ll give you a ring next time I am up near your shop so I can see the car.

Ed -

I looked at my diff and have the 4.10. :frowning: I guess I’ll put that sucker on fleabay.

Chuck, Bill -

Thanks for the warm welcome. I look forward to meeting you guys sometime!

Everyone -

It sounds like the easiest way to swap the transmission is to drop the motor/trans/front suspension out the bottom in one piece. Is that y’all’s experience?

Steve D.

#12

You don’t need to drop the motor. Just need the right tools and a bit o’ luck.

Female Torx socket set and some realllly long socket extensions and a wobbly to get at the bellhousing bolts from above/behind the transmission.
Also, loosening the motor mounts so you can tilt the motor back will give you a bit more access.

A lift and a transmission jack are much more civilized.

Starter bolts? The famous starter bolts. You can get lucky and zing them off with a battery or air impact wrench, with nothing more than a fingertip keeping the nuts on the frontside from turning…or spend hours cursing Hans and Franz and the German beancounters for not casting the nuts into the starter housing. The manual says to remove the intake manifold to remove the starter. Don’t believe it, at least not unless you run out of German curse words for Hans and …

Also, install the new pedal box while the tranny is out. Will give you better access to run the hardline from the clutch M/C down to where it meets the softline for the slave cylinder.

Also, rumor has it that Robert will bring two of his cars up to the NASA display at the Mitty this weekend, so if you’re going, you can check his cars out there.

One option for the 4.10 you could try (if it’s a LSD model) is to call Bobby Thrash at Strictly German in Braselton, be nice and ask if he would swap it for a 3.73 LSD. They seem to be roughly equal in market value. If you’re buying some bits at the same time, all the better.

#13

I agree wth everything Chuck mentioned. The swap is very straight forward and depending on your expertise can be done in half a day or so. I would suggest getting everything you need out of one car. It makes it alot easier to make sure you got everything and it assures that all parts match.

Karl

#14

If your diff is a 4.10 lsd, I will swap you the 3.73lsd out of my DD

#15

…depending on your expertise…

:laugh:

I am completely unencumbered by expertise, but I try to do stuff anyway.

Thanks for all the sage advice!

87isMan - I have a 3.73 LSD on its way from Memphis with the transmission. But I will check the 4.10 to see if it is an LSD and let you know.

Right now I am trying to figure out why the automatic transmission won’t shift from first gear. I took her for the first illegal, no-plates drive around the neighborhood last night. I’d love to get the car to pass emissions so I can have a beater to drive around…

I’d love to see you guys and Robert’s cars at the Mitty, but I will be in Daytona with that other sanctioning body.:wink:

Steve D.

#16

I have a 90 auto trans one that won’t shift up from first until it warms up…in Feb. that took about 1/2 mile or so in the early AM…