6 (six) speed manual transmission....Can it be done?
 

Can anyone tell me which 6 speed transmission would (definitively) mate with the M44 block?

I'm hoping that any 6 speed transmission from the e36/e46 will work.

Please advise,
Chris

This has been discussed before in other threads. I don't know if part numbers were supplied, but I think we determined that it's entirely possible to do the swap but that you also need to change the diff to get back to usable ratios. IIRC, the first gear ends up being very short and the 6th drops you too far down from the car's powerband.

6 speed transmission
 

I recall having a discussion that (ironically) I started...However, I could not find it in the archives. To your point about part numbers: I never saw those either.

It was suggested that the 6 speed box from the euro e36 M3 would work. I'm hoping that that wouldn't be the only transmission.

Any idea on what ration differential would work?

My impetus for doing this is that in 5th gear I'm at 4,000 rpm...At redline, I have a lot of power left that's (seemingly) unusable because of my current differential.

I feel the EXACT same way and every time im on the freeway i say the same thing ...Where is my 6th gear? If it is possible and if someone knows what parts to buy i would LOVE to swap trannys

M42/6 speed
 

All I care about is the transmission mating to the M44. Anything beyond that (linkage, shifter, driveshaft, trans mounts) can be made to work.

I don't know anyone on this board that has done it, but I'll be right on top of this if someone can confirm the block to trans mating.

I can't confirm anything, but I've always heard that just about any BMW manual will bolt up. You might want to check with someone like Korman or Metric Mechanic. Cost is probably going to be a big hurdle to making this work. I think the only E36 that came with a 6 speed was the Euro M3.
Here's some info. These prices are a little scary.

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/s...gory_Code=6SPC

Only the e36 transmission?
 

I find it hard to believe the only 6 speed box that will work is from the e36...The e46 6 speeds won't work?

I don't know. I would call Zionsville and ask them. They seem to have a good handle on the subject.

Check with Alex Lipowich, he's a member here too.

http://abloriginalparts.com/

Why wouldn't it? The ti uses the exact same transmission (Getrag 250) as the 318/323/325 motor'd cars. Find one from one of those and it will be a simple bolt on.

I also understand that the larger ZF from the M3's will bolt up too. A E36 is a E36 basicly. The only real differences would be the linkage and flanges to bolt up the drive shaft.

S

I think almost any 6 speed will work. The 6-speed kit for the E36 that Zionville sells uses the 6 speed out of the Z4, E46, and E60 apparently. So, it should bolt into the M44 just fine.