Compatible donor cars for E39 manual conversion

[HardBall66 135]

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 April 29, 2017 by HardBall66

[viskop 99]

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.

[BM WORLD 1283]

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

[HardBall66 135]

6 hours ago, BM WORLD said:

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

Hi Brent - 1997 528i Touring.  Cheers.

[HardBall66 135]

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!

[allan 295]

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.

[Young Thrash Driver 1020]

You will find it difficult to source a manual E39 pedal box in NZ. You should have a chat to HellBM, they have done a few of these conversions.

[HardBall66 135]

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

[BM WORLD 1283]

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

[HardBall66 135]

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.

[Driftit 2069]

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.

[BM WORLD 1283]

you just buy new pedals etc , not that dare new

[HELLBM 1552]

We have pedal sets etc. @ Hellbm

[HardBall66 135]

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