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HardBall66

Compatible donor cars for E39 manual conversion

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Hi all, I'd like to do a manual conversion on my E39 Touring.  I want to do as much of the work as possible myself (should be fun and educational, right?) and I'm on a budget so I was looking to pick up a manual parts car - perhaps something on TradeMe or Turners with a blown head gasket.  

My question is: Which models would allow me to swap a manual gearbox straight into my E39 with little or no modification?  

I appreciate there will be some re-coding involved (I have the kit to do that myself), and there will be other factors such as diff ratios, driveshaft, etc.  I see quite a few manual 316/ 318s around, but I assume they wouldn't handle the power - anyway I'd like to know which donor cars to keep a lookout for as a start.  Any info would be much appreciated.  Cheers.

Edited by HardBall66
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Sorry Matt, I cannot help with advise, but I do wish you all the best in your project. I'm just very glad that my BMW's manual conversion is completed. :)

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6 or 8 cyl ? What model and year have you got 

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6 hours ago, BM WORLD said:

6 or 8 cyl ? What model and year have you got 

Hi Brent - 1997 528i Touring.  Cheers.

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6 hours ago, viskop said:

Sorry Matt, I cannot help with advise, but I do wish you all the best in your project. I'm just very glad that my BMW's manual conversion is completed. :)

Thanks Charl - yes, I'll look forward to enjoying it as much as you do!

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Spend some time in the parts catalog bmw fans or real com this may help it appears the box is  a s5d 320z thch and is used in the 328 as well as the m52 engine.

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Thanks guys, so 328 (i assume E46? How about E36?)  Any other models that might bolt pretty-much straight on?  Z3?  330? Cheers..     

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you can use a zf or getrag box off pretty much any m50 m52 m54 s54 s50 m44 m43 m42 etc , but you will need e39 parts for all else

gearlvers and shifter parts , pedal box ,

crossmember

driveshaft can be modified

so can the gearlever shifter rods .

 

flywheel and clutch just needs to be string enough for a 2.8L

4cyl clutches will work but slip , so need to get modified or buy a proformance kit etc

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That's awesome, thanks Brent - I'll start collecting the E-39-specific parts while I'm on the lookout for a manual parts car with one of the engines you listed above.  Cheers.

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You could almost buy a manual E39 in the US and ship it to NZ.  Only issue would be the pedal box.  No doubt different.

They are pretty common here.  And not worth much.

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you just buy new pedals etc , not that dare new

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We have pedal sets etc. @ Hellbm

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Thanks Ray, sounds like I can access everything I need.

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