Manual Gearbox to suit M6x V8

[SIR E30 68]

Hi all,

Long time no post.. Im back!
On the search for a 5 speed manual for M60/62. ie - out of E39 etc
No rush for the box, but I realise they are hard to find so Im beginning the search now.
Can trade for M20 parts or engine (I have a good B20 with fresh cambelt etc)

Cheers,

Jason
0274279337

[yng_750 247]

Good luck with the search.

Im not sure how far swapping for parts will take you. I have seen some of these boxes listed for over 2500 each

[Ahmedsinc 414]

I suspect your best bet will be to go through eBay. Far more common in the US & UK, can be landed in NZ for comparable or cheaper than sourcing one locally.

What are you planning to use it for? Generally folk don't go looking for a 420G unless they have something special in the works

[SIR E30 68]

I suspect your best bet will be to go through eBay. Far more common in the US & UK, can be landed in NZ for comparable or cheaper than sourcing one locally.

What are you planning to use it for? Generally folk don't go looking for a 420G unless they have something special in the works

Youre right, there is a 6sp on ebay now for peanuts.. But Im scared of going down the 6 cog road, purely for finding parts in the future.. But I stand to be corrected on that one. Its also longer and harder to fit.

In regards to plans, I will keep this face on for now -

My other option here is a W57 or similar from supra etc with a custom bellhousing. Both cost a similar amount.

Good luck with the search.

Im not sure how far swapping for parts will take you. I have seen some of these boxes listed for over 2500 each

I realise that, I wouldnt expect it to be a straight swap - but hey, it all counts.

Edited May 17, 2014 by SIR E30

[sonic_attack 89]

I had that 6-speed in my e-bay watchlist too. A little over $1000USD for practically the whole conversion components. + Freight. My finger wasn't hovering over the BN/Offer but it was an attractive price considering the 6-speed on Trademe for 3.5K

Just out of interest, what are the manual trans options to bolt up to the M60b40? Any e34/e39 V8 + the ECU only? I've done some vague searching but haven't turned up much more than that. Those 540i/6's must be a lot of fun to drive.

[aja540i 1906]

I had that 6-speed in my e-bay watchlist too. A little over $1000USD for practically the whole conversion components. + Freight. My finger wasn't hovering over the BN/Offer but it was an attractive price considering the 6-speed on Trademe for 3.5K

Just out of interest, what are the manual trans options to bolt up to the M60b40? Any e34/e39 V8 + the ECU only? I've done some vague searching but haven't turned up much more than that. Those 540i/6's must be a lot of fun to drive.

Yes. They are!!

I could be wrong but i think all the v8s have a common bolt pattern, so any box should fit, the coding seems to be the most challenging part!!

[kiwi328i 118]

I am no expert, but I bought a 5 speed manual attached to an M60. The M60 was attached to the car. Good luck finding a 5 speed. As far as I know, they were only behind the E34 530i. And then only for 3 production years. I could be wrong, but I am not wrong saying they are very rare.

I like the idea of having the 5 speed, as it is comfortably rarer than the 6 speed...which itself is pretty rare. As the small V8 5 speed didn't morph into the E39 range, it's rarity is secured.

The only other box is the 6 speed.

I could be wrong about everything.

[Ahmedsinc 414]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 420G the only manual box BMW offered with the M6x?

[Eagle 1662]

The 530i had the ZF S5D while the 540i's and other BMW's got the Getrag 420G

[SIR E30 68]

This is a wanted thread.. Use google or start a new thread to discuss gearboxes.

[polley 916]

I'm also looking. Beware the 5 speed is only 1:1 5th though, no overdrive. Cheaper to adapt a t5..

[westy 614]

The V8 version of the ZF S5D only uses a different front half casing to the 6cyl. Rest is the same. Think it's part no 23111222773.

Could be a cheapish way into a manual. Would be interested myself.

[SIR E30 68]

The V8 version of the ZF S5D only uses a different front half casing to the 6cyl.

Now youre talking! I will do some research into this..

[BM WORLD 1283]

i had a 5spd box in my last e34 with 4.4L in front of it

yes they are only found in the 530i 730i 535i 735i v8 models

1:1 top gear

so you want diff ratios like 2.93 , 3.07 3.15 3.23 etc

look just like a zf box from a e36 328i 3L m3 or e34 525i etc ,

except with the larger V8 bellhousing shape.

you can see here in the pics the difference with the bellhousing shape of the 4 and 6cyl types compared to a V8 type

also pics of the larger 6spd box

Edited May 19, 2014 by Brent HARTGE535i

[westy 614]

Now youre talking! I will do some research into this..

Couple of things though, seems the 5 speed was available on E34 (M60) 530 and E39 (M62) 535. The E34 box wont have a mount for the M62 crank sensor that reads from the flywheel.

Also a pretty tricky thing to get right on the box. Can drive ya up the wall trying to line it up as it goes together.

[SIR E30 68]

This conversion is getting more and more exciting as I look deeper and deeper into it... Maybe, just maybe I'll have to resort to something from a certain Jap vehicle

[jeff002 23]

JDM box is soft!.ZF is much stronger.M5 gearbox taking to over 500HP.do MR toyota can do ?

[frashn88 1]

SIR E30, I just purchased a m60 front gearbox casing (23111222773) from Coombes Johnston in Hamilton (ask for Fabian in parts) for $1020 inc, to put on my m3 box, to go on my m62b44 running m60b40 ancillaries (front crank trigger). All going in my e30 drift car. Should work a treat. check out TTV flywheels, grab a m60 to s50 flywheel in chrome moly for $700 +gst freighted, and then you just need a upgraded M3 clutch kit (easy to find in NZ, M60 not so much) to handle the torque and your ready to roll!

Edited February 25, 2015 by frashn88

[kiwi328i 118]

SIR E30, I just purchased a m60 front gearbox casing (23111222773) from Coombes Johnston in Hamilton (ask for Fabian in parts) for $1020 inc, to put on my m3 box, to go on my m62b44 running m60b40 ancillaries (front crank trigger). All going in my e30 drift car. Should work a treat. check out TTV flywheels, grab a m60 to s50 flywheel in chrome moly for $700 +gst freighted, and then you just need a upgraded M3 clutch kit (easy to find in NZ, M60 not so much) to handle the torque and your ready to roll!

Wow I have only heard about doing the ZF manual front casing onto M3 box in theory, but cant find any info on it actually being done, until I saw this. Awesome.

I considered getting the TTV flywheel also, but I got mine machined for less here, well kinda, I got a hunk of metal fit on to an auto ring-gear which together is in effect the flywheel made here much cheaper, but sure the TTV piece looks very nice.