Anyone performed an E36 Auto -> Manual Conversion?

Kinja'd!!! "Dreadnaught" (intrepiddreadnaught)
09/19/2014 at 02:02 • Filed to: None

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Hey oppo;

A rather pristine e36 328i with the commonplace automatic transmission failure has been residing, neglected, upon my local classified listings for a prolonged while now and the tantalus is growing ever stronger. Beyond the blatant deficits (i.e. gearbox dysfunction), the vehicle (pictured) seems otherwise in admirable form, and the seller's requesting a veritable pittance; considering the lack of interest he's elicited, I wouldn't be surprised if there's further downward mobility in the monetary sense, either. I can secure a compatible ZF e36 M3 transmission/driveshaft (used) locally for ~600, and the remaining sundries (clutch cylinders, lines, etc.) are relatively inexpensive, so I suspect it could be a sub $1200 task. However, I've not undertaken something of this magnitude before, and reports concerning difficulty/time investment seem to vary radically. Anyone have any experience/insights?

To be honest, I don't truly *need* such a car, but I've always embraced the dolphin-shape, and could use a project to occupy my hands...


DISCUSSION (8)


Kinja'd!!! offroadkarter > Dreadnaught
09/19/2014 at 02:11

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I'm sure its been done since auto to manual swaps are common on a lot of 80's and 90's BMW's. A 328i has literally no value though so I hope this would be a track beater or a project or something.


Kinja'd!!! Dreadnaught > offroadkarter
09/19/2014 at 02:14

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Yes, it's a pretty well-documented swap; I just wanted to see if anyone here had first-hand experience doing so. Concerning its fate, I was thinking autox, actually.


Kinja'd!!! offroadkarter > Dreadnaught
09/19/2014 at 02:16

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I know two people on here who own E36's, one has a M3.... I'm sure we have some other e36 owners hiding around who might have done it.


Kinja'd!!! Louros > Dreadnaught
09/19/2014 at 08:48

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Just buy a manual e36 to begin with. There are plenty out there. Save yourself the headache.


Kinja'd!!! Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dreadnaught
09/19/2014 at 08:56

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I have not. My 328i was born as a manual.


Kinja'd!!! Raphmoe > Dreadnaught
09/19/2014 at 09:04

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It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row for locally sourced parts at a good price.

Because of this, why not go for it? It can't be that difficult to do a swap like this based off of what I have read on Jalopnik. If worse comes to worse you become a better wrencher, gearhead and Jalop. It's really a win win to do a manual swap. Keep us updated!


Kinja'd!!! rabidpenguin > Louros
09/19/2014 at 12:41

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Totally concur, you will save yourself time and money by buying one that is a manual to begin with. Sell the auto as it sits and put the money towards another one.


Kinja'd!!! Dreadnaught > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/20/2014 at 01:53

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As decency and logic should dictate. Unfortunately, it seems that the original purchaser of this car hadn't that degree of insight...