318ti Automatic to manual Conversion.

[DustenT]

I don't think you need to change the computer out. The computer just won't see the transmission anymore. Check out the bimmerforum thread. The only issues on an OBD2 car are: cruise control, reverse light and clutch pedal sensor. Please post if you know otherwise.

[sikbrik]

From what I've seen on the other thread, the cruise control situation isn't altogether "fixed" but there is a "patch" to make it work. No biggie.
There is a lot of talk about OBDII cars setting an engine code which WILL happen if the engine computer no longer "sees" the automatic trans. There's at least 4 posts about the problem and I've verified it with the dealer. The car will run fine, just won't pass inspection in some places because of the CEL and associated tranny codes.

[carloselloconyc]

I checked out that zionzville link but it only has kits for 6 cylinder bmws where can I check out some stuff for the ti.

[sikbrik]

The six cylinder swap kit will work. You just need to let Zionsville know it's going into a ti. All the E36 trannies bolt to all the E36 engines.
www.bmrparts.com sells kits, too.
So does theeurodepot.com/

[s0ulz]

hello, i've found a 97' ti for a great price ($6300) but the only problem on it is that its auto transmission... i'm wondering if anyone has finished converting theirs to manual trans? if so, roughly how much would it cost for parts and labor? thanks.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by s0ulz

hello, i've found a 97' ti for a great price ($6300) but the only problem on it is that its auto transmission... i'm wondering if anyone has finished converting theirs to manual trans? if so, roughly how much would it cost for parts and labor? thanks.

You are better off finding a ti with a manual.

[DustenT]

I haven't started my conversion yet, but the cost of my parts is well over $2k. But then again I got a LSD too. I bought as much new stuff as I could. I suppose you could probably do the swap for less then $1000 if you got used parts. The swap itself is pretty straight forward. If you have a manual tranny you end up dropping the tranny to replace the clutch, so it's all meant to come apart easily. The wiring and pedal/clutch setup is really easy too. Go for it if you can do it yourself. If you have a shop do it you will probably pay through the ass.

[sikbrik]

I have to agree, after all of my research, with 328ti...far better off finding one with a manual trans already. That's what I did...sold my auto and it's got a great home. Found a nice 5-spd Cali top. I mean, I'm glad I didn't sink $2500 into my auto ti since I'm ending up with a different car anyway. Even if you could do it for $1500, imagine how much nicer the car you buy would be if you spent $7500 - $8000 instead of $6000. Or you could just buy my '97 ti that's for sale in the "For Sale" forum ;}

[myavus318ti]

i've also been going back and forth with the idea of replacing my auto trans with a manual. I love my car, and I am only the second owner, and I know everything that has been replaced/fixed...etc. This weekend, I'm going to do a compression/leakdown test and see how good of a shape my engine is in, to determine if I should keep the engine and supercharge, or do a motor swap.

[myblueTI]

I think that getting a new Ti with a manual is the best idea because it would be a lot of time and effort into a project that really has no need for it. Just wait till you find a ti with a manual

[DustenT]

It's not that much work to swap the transmission. Selling a car is a lot of work, finding a good car that isn't beat to hell is even harder. I did the tranny swap in under 20 hours. How much time would you have to put into selling your car and finding a new one, and how much is your time worth. I guess some people look at it differently...

[CirrusSR22]

In the process of researching this project, I created a parts (check)list. I thought it might be helpful to some of you. It's kind of a work in progress, so there maybe many errors.

http://www.geocities.com/threeiswee/swap.htm

[sikbrik]

I've got a nice set of pedals if anyone needs them. $25 plus shipping. Bought them for the conversion I had planned but then bought a 5-spd ti instead.

Also, check out my 5-spd ti for sale in PA listed under the "For Sale" section. Thanks!

[1995bmw318ti]

i have a 1995 318ti... eurodepot quoted me 1500 for everything cuz they dont have kits ready and theyd have to make one for me, and zionsville quoted me 1800, however it comes with absolutely everything. my uncle works for bmw and can do the swap so labors not a problem... anyone recommend which one i should get? im thinking about just buying the zionsville one cuz it seems like they were more educated about it. eurodepot said itd take a month to put together and zionsville could do it in a week. please let me know what you guys think. thanks- marc

[1995bmw318ti]

Originally Posted by carloselloconyc

I checked out that zionzville link but it only has kits for 6 cylinder bmws where can I check out some stuff for the ti.

if you call them up and tell them what kind of car you have they will tell you if they have the kit. if not they will make one for you.