e36 1997 323i force auto to clutch up

[knoppies 0]

I hope electrical system is the correct place to post this. Or is this more a drivetrain issue?

I just bought an e36 1997 323i auto. The gearbox has Sport, Eco and Manual (snow) modes.

The five speed auto will clutch up in 5th when doing over 80km/h. I'd like to get it to clutch up in other gears at lower speeds.

Is this theoretically possible? Does a physical limitation prevent the clutch from engaging in any other gear than 5th?

Is it wise to do so? (I do not want speculation, I want facts) What happens if the clutch is engaged and the gearbox wants to shift gears? Will it just hold the gear longer, or will it blow a valve/seal?

If it is possible, how would this be done? I'm hoping there is a plug under the dash that I can hotwire two of the pins to a switch that will force the gearbox to engage the clutch.

At first I thought I'd use the switch in manual mode only, but when you drop under certain speeds the box seems to drop a gear even in manual mode. Not sure if this is a safe option anymore. First gear is also inaccessible in manual mode.

I'd love to be able to reprogram the gearbox to clutch up in all gears effectively making it that little bit closer to an automated manual. But I assume this is impossible.

PS: If it requires dropping the gearbox out to get to something then I'm only interested in the theoretical. I only plan on keeping the car for a year or so, and that just sounds like too much work.

Backstory: My previous car was a manual. I love the direct feeling a clutch gives you. This gearbox is a bit more of a slushbox than I'd like. My wife has agreed to learn to drive a manual but only if I teach her how to drive an auto first. I don't have the room (or money) for two cars at the moment. I figure that in one to two years she will be confident enough to learn to clutch and I won't have this first world problem anymore.

Thanks