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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Bmw E90 Manual Transmission Conversion



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      01-04-2009, 12:53 AM   #1
gordonc1991
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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
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      01-04-2009, 12:56 AM   #2
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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.
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      01-04-2009, 01:08 AM   #3
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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
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      01-04-2009, 01:16 AM   #4
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Big, big dollars.
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      01-04-2009, 02:10 AM   #5
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a LOT OF money.
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      01-04-2009, 11:48 AM   #6
AJ@ECSMotorsports
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Def not worth it.
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      01-04-2009, 09:58 PM   #7
mmm def
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trade it up.
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      01-04-2009, 11:41 PM   #8
Mike@N54Tuning.com
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Fully agree with everybody.. Get a new car

Mike
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      01-05-2009, 10:50 AM   #9
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new trans and ecu, plus lots of hours hehe
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      01-05-2009, 10:57 AM   #10
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This would be much easier on older cars without all the ECU control. You also know that the rear axle ratios are different, right?
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      01-10-2009, 09:54 PM   #11
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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.
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      09-29-2010, 06:34 PM   #12
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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/
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      09-29-2010, 07:17 PM   #13
ska///235i
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Lol....this is like adding a penis to a woman
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      09-29-2010, 07:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ska325xi View Post
Lol....this is like adding a penis to a woman
LMFAOOOOOO!!!
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      09-29-2010, 07:54 PM   #15
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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
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      09-29-2010, 07:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flux221 View Post
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
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      09-29-2010, 08:11 PM   #17
flux221
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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.
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      09-29-2010, 09:51 PM   #18
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It's not like swapping and auto for a manny tranny in an old 5.0 Mustang...
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      09-30-2010, 10:04 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ska325xi View Post
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.
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      09-30-2010, 11:14 AM   #20
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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.
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      12-09-2010, 05:38 AM   #21
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Let me know if you go through with the swap. I've been wanting to see how this goes.
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      09-02-2012, 09:24 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pope335i View Post
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.
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