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MANUAL SWAP HELP

Posted: Jul 15, 2024 10:12 PM
by RattyTatat
84 528e M20B27 Auto Tranny gone. Looking to do a Manual swap. I know I need a Getrag 260 but can someone help me with what I can get that from ? I believe that the way I understand, a M30 tranny wont work. If the tranny is from a M20B25, will that work ? I want the car to stay as original as I can, and I know a lot of work to replace but I think I can do it, I just dont know where to start. Am I serching for a 260 from a M20B27 only ? Thanks

Re: MANUAL SWAP HELP

Posted: Jul 16, 2024 1:17 AM
by Mike W.
You are correct that a M30 tranny will not work, the bellhousing is different and it will not even come close to bolting up. I would think one out of a M20 powered E30 or even E34 would work, but neither Realoem or Car-Part are showing it as interchangeable. I don't know why, ratios? Different output flange? Different mounting? No idea, but I bet they would work. I've even heard of guys putting later trannys from M5X cars behind M20 engines, so I would think from a different M20 would work. Don't try the M5x trannys though, the engine sits at a different angle. You will need lots of other bits and pieces, but https://car-part.com/ does show a bunch of trannys available for moderate cost.

Re: MANUAL SWAP HELP

Posted: Jul 16, 2024 7:48 PM
by RattyTatat
Thank you Mike. This is a start.

Re: MANUAL SWAP HELP

Posted: Jul 16, 2024 9:34 PM
by Galahad
Mike W. wrote: Jul 16, 2024 1:17 AM You are correct that a M30 tranny will not work, the bellhousing is different and it will not even come close to bolting up. I would think one out of a M20 powered E30 or even E34 would work, but neither Realoem or Car-Part are showing it as interchangeable. I don't know why, ratios? Different output flange? Different mounting? No idea, but I bet they would work. I've even heard of guys putting later trannys from M5X cars behind M20 engines, so I would think from a different M20 would work. Don't try the M5x trannys though, the engine sits at a different angle. You will need lots of other bits and pieces, but https://car-part.com/ does show a bunch of trannys available for moderate cost.
The M1.3 cars (E34) aren't going to have the speed and reference sensor holes cut IIRC

Re: MANUAL SWAP HELP

Posted: Jul 16, 2024 10:58 PM
by Mike W.
Galahad wrote: Jul 16, 2024 9:34 PM
The M1.3 cars (E34) aren't going to have the speed and reference sensor holes cut IIRC
Good point, I didn't think about that. They might not even have the bosses, but I would think early E30 325i would at least have them, but maybe not drilled as there was a year or so overlap.