Tranny help

[Flynn318ti]

So I have a 97 Ti 5spd and a 96 328is automatic that has had an m50 2.5l(with vanos) and manual getrag trans in it (there is no ews so I'm assuming it has a full obd1 harness) it also has 413 maroon dme in it (more evidence that its obd1)
But I want to put an obd2 m52 motor in my ti keeping it manual I found a guy selling a 96 328is automatic all original but the head is bad
My plan was to pick that up, use the engine harness from that(manual and automatic engine harness are the same right?) but put the single vanos head from my m50 on it and drop it into my Ti
What I want to know:
-Is the getrag trans in my 97 Ti the same as the one out of a 94 325i(that's where I think the m50 motor/trans came from)
-what will I have to do to the motor(out of auto car) for it to work with manual trans
-will the motor harness(out of auto car) plug into the chassis harness of my Ti(manual)
-I know ill need to get a dme from a manual 6cyl but ill find 1 in a scrap yard with matching ews and key chip
-ill use gauge cluster from one of the 328's and diff from the 328 with m50 swap
-also are accessories like pwr steering pump,AC compressor, alternator the same for m44 m50 and m52 motors
-I already did research and found out that the m50 vanos head will bolt on to the m52b28 block

I know this thread belongs in the swap section and it is but I just thought you guys would be able to help me as well
Any and all help is appreciated If you know different please correct me

[teetime4one]

I'll bet if you copy and paste this again in another section of the form...help will come quicker.

[Mini M3]

Flynn,
-yes on the getrag, bolts right up to M50
-you will need a flywheel, clutch and pressure plate to go with new motor. Also the radiator w/bottle & hoses: larger engine = more cooling capacity, custom exhaust system (Ti is shorter than any E36)
-your better off with a manual harness (i'm unsure if the auto trans wiring goes along with motor or separate harnesses) -328 diff will not work on 318ti...bolt patterns dont match up, just keep what you already have in the Ti
-yes the m50 head will fit the m52, the heads have identical stamps...i know i have 3

IMO: get both motors side by side see the difference, swap necessaries over, drop in, fire up and have fun! Best of luck!

[Flynn318ti]

I have a 97 Ti 5spd and want to put a 2.8 m52 (all obd2) in it it's not hard to find that motor but I'm debating whether or not to use my getrag 250 or get a ZF that comes with the m52b28 out of the factory I know ill be changing the diff no matter what but how will my getrag hold up under very spirited driving
Any and all help/advice is greatly appreciated

[Flynn318ti]

Thanks I'm looking forward to it

[Flynn318ti]

I have a 97 Ti 5spd and want to put a 2.8 m52 (all obd2) in it it's not hard to find that motor but I'm debating whether or not to use my getrag 250 or get a ZF that comes with the m52b28 out of the factory I know ill be changing the diff no matter what but how will my getrag hold up under very spirited driving Any and all help/advice is greatly appreciated

[1996 328ti]

<Merged various posts.>

[Mini M3]

If you have it apart, i highly recommend the ZF trans, but you will also need the drive shaft, shift linkage (as i've read). The ZF rear half is shorter than the getrag. You need the front off ZF DS and rear from the Ti (guibo is larger for ZF and doesn't match up with output shaft on Getrag Trans). Grab new trans mounts, guibo and center DS bearing while out.

My getrag has held up for over 130k but its been difficult to get into gears for some time now, i got used to it... I have the getrag out and am waiting on seals (selector rod & output shaft) for the ZF i'm swapping in.

So ZF -> 328/M3 guibo, linkage & front DS -> Getrag rear DS -> differential