Bmw E90 Manual Transmission Conversion - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

gordonc1991 · 01-04-2009, 01:53 AM

I was wondering if it was possible for me to swap my automatic transmission for a manual transmission. I have a 06 325i. And i was also wondering how much it would cost to get the transmission and install it and all.. thanks

wj4 · 01-04-2009, 01:56 AM

Possible? Yes, anything is possible if your pocket is deep enough. However this will severely kill your resale value and big issues may arise (if everything isn't properly installed the first time around).

I'm willing to bet that you will spend the same amount of money after all the smoke clears as if you were to sell or trade in your 325i for a new stick shift 335i.

Jz · 01-04-2009, 02:08 AM

i agree with ^, something as big as a transmission swap is just too much money and trouble, might as well get a new ride altogether

cbad335 · 01-04-2009, 02:16 AM

Big, big dollars.

Bimmer Nerd · 01-04-2009, 03:10 AM

a LOT OF money.

AJ@ECSMotorsports · 01-04-2009, 12:48 PM

Def not worth it.

mmm def · 01-04-2009, 10:58 PM

trade it up.

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 01-05-2009, 12:41 AM

Fully agree with everybody.. Get a new car

Mike

Sal@AUTOcouture · 01-05-2009, 11:50 AM

new trans and ecu, plus lots of hours hehe

ksfrogman · 01-05-2009, 11:57 AM

This would be much easier on older cars without all the ECU control. You also know that the rear axle ratios are different, right?

smellthebeans · 01-10-2009, 10:54 PM

That's a possible advantage....3.61 gears vs 3.15

Head tech at my shop told me that the swap is possible because the fitting (connector) for the ECU connector to transmission are the same for manual and automatics.

I don't understand how the dynamic traction control would be affected if at all?

Off the top of my head you would need
Getrag 6MT
Bell housing
Drive shaft (?) U joints?
Crossmember mount
clutch assy. (pressure plate, disc, & throwout bearing)
tubing
master cylinder
pedal assembly
shift linkage assy
plugs for the transmission cooling in the radiator.

Possibly you would need the DME from a loaner?

Considering a rebuilt installation of a automatic can run around 6K. An industrious and technically savy person can locate a donor vehicle and conduct most of the work himself.

flux221 · 09-29-2010, 06:34 PM

Its not as hard as people are making it out to be, i spoke with markD about the electronics and covered the parts needed:

http://www.rtsauto.com/parts-require...bers-included/

ska325xi · 09-29-2010, 07:17 PM

Lol....this is like adding a penis to a woman

LemonIce · 09-29-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska325xi

Lol....this is like adding a penis to a woman

LMFAOOOOOO!!!

flux221 · 09-29-2010, 07:54 PM

I find it surprising how many people are against this. I think partially it might be because the cost of parts is still relativity high for e90's but if this was a topic of e30 or e36 everyone would be for it. The main difference between the e30 and e90 is the rather minimal electronic work involved: ECU swap and aligning EWS and eliminating the DC/DC torque converter

ska325xi · 09-29-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flux221

I find it surprising how many people are against this. I think partially it might be because the cost of parts is still relativity high for e90's but if this was a topic of e30 or e36 everyone would be for it. The main difference between the e30 and e90 is the rather minimal electronic work involved: ECU swap and aligning EWS and eliminating the DC/DC torque converter

This conversion for the e9x will cost well over $5000 P&L.
Not against it...just not worth it

flux221 · 09-29-2010, 08:11 PM

Well thats assuming your not able to offset the cost by selling your automatic parts. Most e90 owners arent in the class of people who are willing to work on their still expensive cars in fear of messing it up (unlike the e30 crowd), but an indy BMW shop shouldnt charge more then 8-9 hours labor to swap a transmission (800-900 dollars assuming $100/hr rate).

Assuming you can offset the cost by selling your automatic transmission parts, it might actually be something good because say you replace it at 100,000km, all the wear parts can be easily replaced, and thus you will have a fresher manual after a swap then just buying a manual. Also most automatic equiped engines take alot less beating then manual cars, not to mention the demographic of people that own automatics vs manuals.

StealYourFace · 09-29-2010, 09:51 PM

It's not like swapping and auto for a manny tranny in an old 5.0 Mustang...

msrothwell · 09-30-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska325xi

Lol....this is like adding a penis to a woman

I disagree. Its like removing a penis from a woman. Women shouldn't have penises, and BMWs should not have automatics.

Digitalinkartist · 09-30-2010, 11:14 AM

Trade the car in for a similar equipped/mileaged/year manual. You should get better residual for the auto and get a manual transmission for considerably less when all said and done. Or you could just wait for your slushbox to fail and do the swap at that time.

I am uncertain as to the electronics hurdles. The only known issue I know about tranny swaps is the possible loss of the requirement to hold down the clutch on startup. Which could cause a lurch accident if you park it in gear.

pope335i · 12-09-2010, 06:38 AM

Let me know if you go through with the swap. I've been wanting to see how this goes.

alpine135i · 09-02-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope335i

Let me know if you go through with the swap. I've been wanting to see how this goes.

I recently did the conversion to a 08 535xi.. Worked great. Kept the original ecus with the original vin. Just a sex transplant with phycological reprograing too. Lol.
MNC performance

01-04-2009, 01:53 AM	#1
gordonc1991 New Member Drives: 2006 Black BMW 325i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 28 iTrader: (0)	Bmw E90 Manual Transmission Conversion I was wondering if it was possible for me to swap my automatic transmission for a manual transmission. I have a 06 325i. And i was also wondering how much it would cost to get the transmission and install it and all.. thanks
	Tweet

01-04-2009, 02:08 AM	#3
Jz Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Socal Posts: 1,769 iTrader: (17)	i agree with ^, something as big as a transmission swap is just too much money and trouble, might as well get a new ride altogether __________________ F12 M-Sport Conversion \| BBS LM \| Advan RS + Remus Race \| BBS CH + Vanguard GIAC Stg. 2 Race \| Injen DCI \| Tial Q BOV \| ER Chargepipe \| ER FMIC \| ER Race Oil Coolers \| BMS OCC \| Wavetrac LSD \| AR Downpipes \| Akrapovic Evo \|

01-05-2009, 12:41 AM	#8
Mike@N54Tuning.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: 07335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 12,247 iTrader: (78)	Fully agree with everybody.. Get a new car Mike __________________ Lowest Price GUARANTEED on ALL PRODUCTS!! JB4 G5 On Sale - FREE Shipping Click Me - NEW JB4(N55) & DCI's $95.00 NEW F30-328 N20 Tune(Stage1) BMS Oil Catch Can (On Sale)

01-05-2009, 11:50 AM	#9
Sal@AUTOcouture BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Techno Violet ESS M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 8,835 iTrader: (28)	new trans and ecu, plus lots of hours hehe __________________ ACM Testpipes \| ESS Superchargers \| Aquamist Meth Kits \| P: 201.666.3500 \| Sal@autocouturemotoring.com \| Facebook \| youTube

01-05-2009, 11:57 AM	#10
ksfrogman Major General Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 6,749 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	This would be much easier on older cars without all the ECU control. You also know that the rear axle ratios are different, right? __________________

01-04-2009, 01:56 AM	#2
wj4 Major General Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 7,723 iTrader: (8)	Possible? Yes, anything is possible if your pocket is deep enough. However this will severely kill your resale value and big issues may arise (if everything isn't properly installed the first time around). I'm willing to bet that you will spend the same amount of money after all the smoke clears as if you were to sell or trade in your 325i for a new stick shift 335i.

01-04-2009, 02:16 AM	#4
cbad335 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA Posts: 1,733 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Coupe [5.00]	Big, big dollars.

01-04-2009, 03:10 AM	#5
Bimmer Nerd I \| L Photography Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los angeles, ~818~ Posts: 7,420 iTrader: (11)	a LOT OF money.

01-04-2009, 12:48 PM	#6
AJ@ECSMotorsports First Lieutenant Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 354 iTrader: (13)	Def not worth it.

01-04-2009, 10:58 PM	#7
mmm def Colonel Drives: 07 Accord 6-6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,535 iTrader: (0)	trade it up.

01-10-2009, 10:54 PM	#11
smellthebeans Major Drives: LPCs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 1,368 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 328i Coupe [0.00] 1990 325i [0.00]	That's a possible advantage....3.61 gears vs 3.15 Head tech at my shop told me that the swap is possible because the fitting (connector) for the ECU connector to transmission are the same for manual and automatics. I don't understand how the dynamic traction control would be affected if at all? Off the top of my head you would need Getrag 6MT Bell housing Drive shaft (?) U joints? Crossmember mount clutch assy. (pressure plate, disc, & throwout bearing) tubing master cylinder pedal assembly shift linkage assy plugs for the transmission cooling in the radiator. Possibly you would need the DME from a loaner? Considering a rebuilt installation of a automatic can run around 6K. An industrious and technically savy person can locate a donor vehicle and conduct most of the work himself. __________________ Last edited by smellthebeans; 01-20-2009 at 07:32 PM.

09-29-2010, 06:34 PM	#12
flux221 New Member Drives: e53 x5 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Its not as hard as people are making it out to be, i spoke with markD about the electronics and covered the parts needed: http://www.rtsauto.com/parts-require...bers-included/

09-29-2010, 07:17 PM	#13
ska325xi Major General Drives: 325XI Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 6,852 iTrader: (27) Garage List 2006 333 [0.00] 2006 325xi [0.00]	Lol....this is like adding a penis to a woman __________________ RPI Scoops, BMW Perf. Intake + Carbon Filter Removal, BMW Perf. Exhaust, PBX, CF Cowl Covers & Lower Snorkel, Matte Black Grills, Rep Hartge Lip, ///M Spoiler, BBS 219m + RE960pp, CF Wrapped Headlights, LUX 5.0 + Solaris Silvers, Vista DRL, Blacklines, Lic. Plate LED, 3M CF Di-Noc Trims, BMW Perf. Alcantara Steering Wheel + Alcantara Trim, ///M DCT Paddles, BMW Perf. Shift Knob + Boot, ///M Novillo Ebrake Handle + BMW Perf. Boot, ACS Pedals

09-29-2010, 07:54 PM	#15
flux221 New Member Drives: e53 x5 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	I find it surprising how many people are against this. I think partially it might be because the cost of parts is still relativity high for e90's but if this was a topic of e30 or e36 everyone would be for it. The main difference between the e30 and e90 is the rather minimal electronic work involved: ECU swap and aligning EWS and eliminating the DC/DC torque converter

09-29-2010, 08:11 PM	#17
flux221 New Member Drives: e53 x5 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Well thats assuming your not able to offset the cost by selling your automatic parts. Most e90 owners arent in the class of people who are willing to work on their still expensive cars in fear of messing it up (unlike the e30 crowd), but an indy BMW shop shouldnt charge more then 8-9 hours labor to swap a transmission (800-900 dollars assuming $100/hr rate). Assuming you can offset the cost by selling your automatic transmission parts, it might actually be something good because say you replace it at 100,000km, all the wear parts can be easily replaced, and thus you will have a fresher manual after a swap then just buying a manual. Also most automatic equiped engines take alot less beating then manual cars, not to mention the demographic of people that own automatics vs manuals.

09-29-2010, 09:51 PM	#18
StealYourFace Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY Posts: 479 iTrader: (1)	It's not like swapping and auto for a manny tranny in an old 5.0 Mustang...

09-30-2010, 11:14 AM	#20
Digitalinkartist Team Eurowerkz Drives: e92 Garage Queen Join Date: May 2007 Location: ATL Posts: 758 iTrader: (4)	Trade the car in for a similar equipped/mileaged/year manual. You should get better residual for the auto and get a manual transmission for considerably less when all said and done. Or you could just wait for your slushbox to fail and do the swap at that time. I am uncertain as to the electronics hurdles. The only known issue I know about tranny swaps is the possible loss of the requirement to hold down the clutch on startup. Which could cause a lurch accident if you park it in gear.

12-09-2010, 06:38 AM	#21
pope335i Enlisted Member Drives: Alpine White e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South San Francisco, CA Posts: 48 iTrader: (1)	Let me know if you go through with the swap. I've been wanting to see how this goes.

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