Early New Years Resolution, m52 swap

[aznlonewolf135]

It's a very long story that I will get into later...

I blew the head gasket on my ti and going to attempt an m52 swap...I am going to try my very best to document my entire process for future projects...

I'm picking up a wrecked '96 328 automatic tomorrow and starting the swap on Thursday after finals...hopefully Jim's manual will have come by then but I have a good understanding of the process...

I am an avid DIY but with the whole lot of help from communities like this but I've never taken pictures or documented my experience for others to reference...anyways going to start this one...

I'll make a public album on my facebook, "TheSecret Asianman"

[aznlonewolf135]

First question

My car- 98 318ti 5 speed
Donor car- 98 328i automatic

It is my understanding that I can just keep my getrag (?) 5 speed for now but probably want look for a beefier transmission soonish...

and if I can't get keep the ti getrag (?) tranny I should look for a ZF tranny over a getrag

I've searched through many forums and this is my current understanding...

[cooljess76]

Getrag will hold up just fine. People often exaggerate how much "beefier" the ZF trannys are. You will need to upgrade the clutch and flywheel though. Also, keeping the Getrag will allow you to use your stock driveshaft.

[trikzta]

how long would the stock clutch and flywheel last, are also able to mate an m50/52 to a auto tranny? if so how long would the flywheel and clutch for that one hold up if it does?

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by trikzta

how long would the stock clutch and flywheel last, are also able to mate an m50/52 to a auto tranny? if so how long would the flywheel and clutch for that one hold up if it does?

I honestly don't know how to answer that. It's like asking how long a stock clutch will last on any motor, it totally depends on your driving habits. Just like one M44 might last 150k miles while another one might last 300k miles. How worn is your stock clutch? Is it the original? Most people would replace a clutch while the tranny is removed just so they won't have to remove it again later down the road. Automatic transmissions don't use a clutch, they use a torque converter. And automatics use a different type of flywheel.

[trikzta]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

. Automatic transmissions don't use a clutch, they use a torque converter. And automatics use a different type of flywheel.

okay so you learn something new everyday . either way are u able to mate a auto tranny to a 6cyl? my engine is giving me a few issues and might swap a m52 into it but only have the money for that going to do the tranny later down the road

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by trikzta

okay so you learn something new everyday . either way are u able to mate a auto tranny to a 6cyl? my engine is giving me a few issues and might swap a m52 into it but only have the money for that going to do the tranny later down the road

Yes, any e36 transmission will mate up to any e36 engine.


BTW, don't even attempt to do a swap unless you have enough money. There's always little things that people overlook and you're more than likely going to need some reserve cash when things don't go as planned. You don't want to get halfway through your swap, find out something is broken or not compatible and then not have the funds to cover it.

[trikzta]

i know i have the funds for unplanned things thats the reason im doing the tranny later

[aznlonewolf135]

the swap is 33.33% complete, meaning I've pulled all parts from the donor car...

currently shopping around for a clutch...I feel that a 328 fly wheel (or an m5) is a given...but what kind of clutch should I get since I am keeping the ti Getrag tranny

[aznlonewolf135]

in case any future swappers are curious I took a leap of faith and got an m52 (328) clutch and flywheel...everything seemed to fit perfectly