Auto to manual swap

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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alexbaby88
Posts: 50
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by alexbaby88 »

How difficult and complex is an auto to manual swap on a scale of 1 to 10?
ozz535i
Posts: 8
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Post by ozz535i »

lexbaby88,

Only you know how competent you are at wrenching so why don't you read these write-ups by people who have done it already.
Then you can decide whether you're capable or not!!

http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_41.htm

http://www.mye28.com/tech/DaveKanTransGuide

All the Best
oz
'87 535i
Layton
Posts: 562
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by Layton »

And here is Dave Kan's transmission swap write up -- lots of detail and info:
E28 Transmission Conversion
shifty
Posts: 2552
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:

Post by shifty »

Me, too! Me, too!

http://www.oo00oo.com/tranny

Or go to my home page and click on "5-speed Conversion"

Alex, I had never owned a manual-transmissioned car, much less WORKED on one when I did my 5-speed conversion. Because of that -- and many, many, many other factors -- my conversion took several months. If I had it to do all over again, I bet I could do it in a few days, assuming I didn't hit any snags that would prevent a part from being removed or re-installed.

The fact remains that there are a LOT of things you need to know and do to get this thing done. My intro page explains it all.

If you decide to do it, good luck, and come back often if you hit a snag! There are quite a few of us on this forum that have completed one or more 5-speed swaps.

[Edit by Shifty on [TIME]1109446762[/TIME]]
ozz535i
Posts: 8
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Post by ozz535i »

Sorry Brad....

I haven't visited your site for a while and did'nt realise the 5-Speed swap was back on line.
If I had of known I would have included the link as well. The more you read the better appreciation you get of whats involved!!

oz in oz
'87 535i
shifty
Posts: 2552
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:

Post by shifty »

[QUOTE="ozz535i"]Sorry Brad....

I haven't visited your site for a while and did'nt realise the 5-Speed swap was back on line.
If I had of known I would have included the link as well. The more you read the better appreciation you get of whats involved!!

oz in oz
'87 535i[/QUOTE]

No prob, Oz. :) My site's been a little, umm. . . shifty over the past few months. :)
pdx 528e
Posts: 3034
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Post by pdx 528e »

[QUOTE="ozz535i"]Sorry Brad....

I haven't visited your site for a while and did'nt realise the 5-Speed swap was back on line.
If I had of known I would have included the link as well. The more you read the better appreciation you get of whats involved!!

oz in oz
'87 535i[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE="Shifty"]No prob, Oz. :) My site's been a little, umm. . . shifty over the past few months. :) [/QUOTE]

Get it together Shifty! hehe just kidding. Although I do hope to see the old write ups back so I can complete certain modifications. Was your site the one with the LED lighted door handles, and rewired blinking sidemarkers?
shifty
Posts: 2552
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:

Post by shifty »

[QUOTE="pdx 528e"]Get it together Shifty! hehe just kidding. Although I do hope to see the old write ups back so I can complete certain modifications. Was your site the one with the LED lighted door handles, and rewired blinking sidemarkers? [/QUOTE]

Yes on both counts. I'll try to get those two write-ups on the new site next weekend. I might be able to get it done some time this week, but we'll see.

I especially like the blinking sidemarkers. I've done the fronts on my current 528e but haven't gotten around to doing the rears. I ran out of heat shrink tubing! That or maybe I just can't find it. . . Hmmmm. . . %)
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