5 Speed Conversion--Any Shops in the MKE area?

[jimmyv65]

Gents,

 

I've been lurking here for a while and having fun reading your posts. I am an old guy(47), but a car guy. The enthusiasm you guys have for your car is great and you clearly like to have a laugh along the way. Some of your posts are down right hilarious. You guys all are on drugs right?

 

My son is 16 and we got him an 88 325. It's a well maintained car in nice shape, but an automatic. I'd like to start looking at the 5 speed swap.

 

He and I are working on a restore of a 1966 Ford Bronco. I kinda have a rule that I try not to have more than one big project running at a time. 

 

With that, are there any shops in town that specialize in e30's and would be good for a 5 speed swap?

 

TIA

 

 

[B C]

I have done a 5spd swap on an E30. 

it is quite easy actually. I would be happy to give you guys any tips and pointers along the way if you choose to do it yourself. I haven't really heard of a particular shop that does swaps but Kummrow automotive specializes in German car repair and might be more apt to that kind of project. 

[GunMetalGrey]

Easy job, have done It before as well.

Sent from the future. Or my phone, who knows.

[jimmyv65]

I have done a 5spd swap on an E30. 

it is quite easy actually. I would be happy to give you guys any tips and pointers along the way if you choose to do it yourself. I haven't really heard of a particular shop that does swaps but Kummrow automotive specializes in German car repair and might be more apt to that kind of project. 

 

I'd ask a basic question that I don't seem to find the answer in the swap threads on other sites:

 

What years/models are acceptable for the swap? Can the M/T come from an E36, E46, etc?

[B C]

You can use any year of 2wd E30 with an M20 whether its an 86 325es, 92 325ic, 91 325i  etc. The 325e stuff is less desirable since it has the sheetmetal shift console.  The E36 trans can be used but would require a custom trans. crossmember due to the M50 sitting at a steeper angle than the M20. A 6spd trans from an E46 can also be fitted to an M20 with custom crossmember. There is a member named "Wanganstyle" on r3vlimited who is running an M20 with 6spd and claims there is an OE crossmember which is a direct fit for this. 

Is there any plan to swap engines in the future? That decision will determine which trans to use. 

 

[GunMetalGrey]

Go M50, it seems to be cheaper now. I was running an m50TU (Vanos motor) in my e30 last year with the e30 five speed transmission and it was a blast and super reliable, also a bit higher gas mileage.

All kinds of options though!

[damnboy037]

Kummrow is the place to go around here, avoid Milwaukee Motorwerks, the owner is a snake (he tried to charge me 20hrs for a HG job that he created all because he thought he knew how to supercharge my car).

[Brian.]

A 5speed swap on an E30 is easy, just find a manual out of an "i" E30, and swap it in, and jump the neutral safety switch.

 

Not sure if E30's are the same as E28's but you MIGHT need the manual Driveshaft that goes to the CSB.

[B C]

Yes, auto driveshafts are shorter than manual driveshafts on e30s 

[Brian.]

Thanks for clarifying!

[jimmyv65]

Agreed that the swap doesn't look too terrible. I was hoping to avoid taking it on with another project in flight, but that doesn't look to be the

 

case.

 

I think I will begin collecting up the parts. When I get the parts all together, it looks like it can be done in a day. 

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

[gopherbrain]

I have everything needed for the 5-speed swap sitting in my garage.  I decided to go another way.  $625 picked up in Rochester, MN.

[need4speed1299]

Theflywheel is also different, btw.