Manual Trans Conversion?

iaknown · 12-01-2015, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

I thought i would give this thread a kick in the pants. Iaknown, did you get any traction on this?

Yes and no

I know there has been some talk about auto options here but as long as that project isn't dead in the other thread I am sticking with discussing the manual options. As stated, getting an auto to communicate with our car is opening another can of worms.....

As Tiago mentioned, there are manual gearboxes from other models that should bolt up to our cars, but I wouldn't consider them a direct fit. Most BMW trans bellhousings are supposedly the same pattern, but the issue would be the flywheel/clutch. From what I have found the 330D crank bolt pattern is definitely different than our cars. Not sure about the starter gear/diameter on top of that. So that means a simple solution is out and a custom flywheel/clutch is in order. I kind of like that idea because we can configure any clutch we want but it makes things more complicated (below).

I think I've been able to gather all the dimensions up to make a bellhousing adapter. There are a few custom racing BMW bellhousing adapters out there for different Tremecs but not the TR6060 (T56 Magnum). So that would mean buying a more expensive custom BMW bellhousing and then machining it, kind of defeats the purpose. Instead I would opt to just make an adapter to a Ford Mustang or Camaro pattern (with factory TR6060). The next question is which of the 2? I wanted to get approximate locations of the shifters and mounts on both and see if one would be closer than the other. There are TR6060 shifter relocation kits out there so if either wasn't feasible, they could be relocated to fit. Or just find a steal on either of these transmissions and take a chance.

I also was after some important measurements from our cars. Like crank flange face in relation to bellhousing face. Also bellhousing face in relation to manual shifter location and driveshaft. And of course crank flange bolt pattern. These are all necessary to layout the spacing in CAD and draw up a flywheel/clutch assembly (and not rip apart my car and have it sitting for months). The banned one may be able to help on his next trans pull, I would love to get my hands on one of our flywheels. If done right, all of this would allow parts to be designed and machined ahead of time without disassembly. I have a few other projects I'm trying to wrap up (intercooler and cold air intake) so that's as far as I got.

rspring · 01-26-2016, 10:48 AM

Dave,

Any updates on this? I have begun pestering Bob at BPC about it too. I'll try to get the autobox working right first, but definitely interested in a BMW six speed manual.

TIA!

iaknown · 01-26-2016, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rspring

Dave,

Any updates on this? I have begun pestering Bob at BPC about it too. I'll try to get the autobox working right first, but definitely interested in a BMW six speed manual.

TIA!

Nah, nothing at the moment. Too many projects going on

I am hoping our coding gurus figure out our auto soon, looks like they are getting close. If we can get access to modify that it should suffice for me. BPC may be able to help in the meantime if you absolutely want a manual in your D.....

Tiago · 06-03-2016, 04:42 AM

[u2b]https://youtu.be/YzLeabzZIpk[/u2b]

video link

Its done and even has launch control.

I found a shop at my country that supports racing teams and makes from scratch custom gear sets for gearboxes and diffs.

After seing the vid, i'm now really considering the 530d 6mt gearbox and parts retrofit with a custom gearing to match the current AT ratio.

For the 530d, sachs racing has a clutch kit for +780nm and even has a dmf with a special multiple rated springs design to provide smoother take offs with organic compounds.

RDA3440 · 06-04-2016, 10:47 AM

^^^ OH MAN That is great news! I want this.

I hope someone can complete this and put a price tag on a swap kit soon!

dominican · 06-05-2016, 07:57 PM

Color me interested.

shnaggs · 06-12-2016, 05:15 AM

I might, it depends on how poor this swap would make me.

kydiesel35 · 06-12-2016, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnaggs

I might, it depends on how poor this swap would make me.

Hahahaha.

tek4tex · 06-12-2016, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supernoob

For reals here. If a price gets worked out and a time frame of say 18 months to save up were worked out would people sign on?

I would jump on board for sure if it works

Bob@BPC · 06-12-2016, 09:09 PM

How many would be interested in this swap? We've done a manual swap already in a E90 N52 and at our cost it was around $1500 - $1700 in parts.

Bob@BPC · 06-12-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supernoob

It's a long drive to the east coast. But I would come.

Likely do an alphabet too

PM'd

SouthDiesel190 · 06-12-2016, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob@BPC

How many would be interested in this swap? We've done a manual swap already in a E90 N52 and at our cost it was around $1500 - $1700 in parts.

For real? If I don't have to row 3 gears before my tires roll out of a stop light I could be interested for sure but it'd have to be after I'm out of my CPO

natefank · 06-12-2016, 10:56 PM

Hey Bob, how bad is the install on one of those kits? I'm all the way on the west coast, but I am very interested in the swap

335duff · 06-13-2016, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob@BPC

How many would be interested in this swap? We've done a manual swap already in a E90 N52 and at our cost it was around $1500 - $1700 in parts.

I'm in! I want to keep as much as possible stock otherwise, including fuel mapping and stability control etc.

sukutash · 06-13-2016, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob@BPC

How many would be interested in this swap? We've done a manual swap already in a E90 N52 and at our cost it was around $1500 - $1700 in parts.

I'm interested. Do you have any details?

Bob@BPC · 06-13-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukutash

I'm interested. Do you have any details?

It was really straight forward on the N52, got parts from a wreaked 328i 6 speed, swapped over, cut a few wires to make the starter work and re-coded the car.

As stated above, this worked great on a N52, im not sure if it will be as smooth on the M57. We would need a car here at the shop to build and test a kit on before we could even think about releasing to the masses.

335duff · 06-13-2016, 10:15 AM

For an otherwise stock engine system, would clutch or internals need to be upgraded? Also, where do we get the transmissions from? 330d was never sold in usa unless I am mistaken.

iaknown · 06-13-2016, 05:01 PM

Does anyone know if the 535D flywheel will fit our engines? Clutch/flywheel options were one of the main reasons I stopped pursuing this. Sure a trans can be bolted up and I understand there's a few clutch options now. But to get a clutch that doesn't chatter and/or make a bunch of noise is another story. I'm wondering what that dmf can handle....

BB_cuda · 06-13-2016, 06:50 PM

I bet the bodacious guy knows. Perhaps you might be able to talk him into borrowing a flywheel for measurements. Recall he had bought 2 M57 engines.

natefank · 07-02-2016, 11:33 AM

I just wanna bump this back up and see if Bob at BPC has made any progress on this for us

Grazy_87 · 07-03-2016, 10:52 AM

Will be starting my build this september, will be using 330d manual trans for the conversion.

335duff · 07-03-2016, 12:49 PM

Please do keep us in the loop! I think there are lots here that would go for the conversion tomorrow if we had some bread crumbs to follow.

01-26-2016, 10:48 AM	#68
rspring Private 20 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335d Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Dave, Any updates on this? I have begun pestering Bob at BPC about it too. I'll try to get the autobox working right first, but definitely interested in a BMW six speed manual. TIA!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-03-2016, 04:42 AM	#70
Tiago Private First Class 25 Rep 153 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	[u2b]https://youtu.be/YzLeabzZIpk[/u2b] video link Its done and even has launch control. I found a shop at my country that supports racing teams and makes from scratch custom gear sets for gearboxes and diffs. After seing the vid, i'm now really considering the 530d 6mt gearbox and parts retrofit with a custom gearing to match the current AT ratio. For the 530d, sachs racing has a clutch kit for +780nm and even has a dmf with a special multiple rated springs design to provide smoother take offs with organic compounds. Last edited by Tiago; 06-03-2016 at 04:50 AM..
	Appreciate 1 Quote

06-04-2016, 10:47 AM	#71
RDA3440 Private First Class 37 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 335D Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lakefield, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 335d [0.00]	^^^ OH MAN That is great news! I want this. I hope someone can complete this and put a price tag on a swap kit soon! __________________ 2010 BMW 335D: INPA & K+DCAN Cable, BMWhat BT Adapter, JBD, M3 Suspension Components, ECS Tuning Trailing Arms, 193M Gloss Black Staggered w/Michelin Pilot Super Sport, LUX V5 Color-changing LED Angel Eyes, KUDA Mount, SolarGard 23/17 Charcoal Tint, Plasti-Dipped Grill - Many more mods coming!
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06-05-2016, 07:57 PM	#72
dominican Private 12 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 1997 Prelude Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New York Metro iTrader: (0)	Color me interested.
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06-12-2016, 05:15 AM	#73
shnaggs Lieutenant 73 Rep 462 Posts Drives: TDi Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NE, Pa iTrader: (1)	I might, it depends on how poor this swap would make me.
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06-12-2016, 09:09 PM	#76
Bob@BPC 867 Rep 642 Posts Drives: F30 328i Sport Line Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Raleigh iTrader: (0)	How many would be interested in this swap? We've done a manual swap already in a E90 N52 and at our cost it was around $1500 - $1700 in parts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2016, 10:56 PM	#79
natefank Private First Class 8 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0)	Hey Bob, how bad is the install on one of those kits? I'm all the way on the west coast, but I am very interested in the swap
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2016, 10:15 AM	#83
335duff Private First Class 25 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2011 335d E90 Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	For an otherwise stock engine system, would clutch or internals need to be upgraded? Also, where do we get the transmissions from? 330d was never sold in usa unless I am mistaken.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2016, 05:01 PM	#84
iaknown Banned 425 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: 335D Join Date: May 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Does anyone know if the 535D flywheel will fit our engines? Clutch/flywheel options were one of the main reasons I stopped pursuing this. Sure a trans can be bolted up and I understand there's a few clutch options now. But to get a clutch that doesn't chatter and/or make a bunch of noise is another story. I'm wondering what that dmf can handle....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2016, 06:50 PM	#85
BB_cuda Brigadier General 765 Rep 3,557 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	I bet the bodacious guy knows. Perhaps you might be able to talk him into borrowing a flywheel for measurements. Recall he had bought 2 M57 engines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-02-2016, 11:33 AM	#86
natefank Private First Class 8 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0)	I just wanna bump this back up and see if Bob at BPC has made any progress on this for us
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2016, 10:52 AM	#87
Grazy_87 Private First Class 122 Rep 148 Posts Drives: E91 335d Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Cheltenham iTrader: (0)	Will be starting my build this september, will be using 330d manual trans for the conversion.
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07-03-2016, 12:49 PM	#88
335duff Private First Class 25 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2011 335d E90 Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Please do keep us in the loop! I think there are lots here that would go for the conversion tomorrow if we had some bread crumbs to follow.
	Appreciate 0 Quote