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Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:10 pm
by attila_k
Hello everyone!
Im considering to take out the auto gearbox on my 318i 82' , and put in a 5 speed manual gearbox from E30 m10 engine..I have all parts except the driveshaft. Is it possible to fit the old shaft , or I have to find another one? Do I have to change the diff?(I have one from 318i with 4sp gearbox)
Thanx in advance!!!

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:38 pm
by stefankj
If you use the e30 box, you will have problems with speedometer. Don't know about the shaft, but I know you can use the pedal set and the same pipes & clutch master & slave from the e30 if it is a M10 car.
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:31 pm
by attila_k
I will take only the gearbox from e30 , I think that its the same gearbox from late E21s...I heard that the driveshaft is the same length from auto and 5speed gearbox, but Im not sure...
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:48 pm
by murran
e30 gearboxes dont have a speedo cable is what were saying.
you will nothing to drive the speedo on your e21.
e30s pick up a signal from a hall sensor inside the rear diff to drive the speedo electrically.
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:38 pm
by thetomc
If you want to use the e21 instrument cluster (pod) you definitely need an e21 gearbox for an M10.
Seeing as you already have the gearbox the only other option i can suggest is to fit an e30 dash and pod or just the e30 speedo in an e21 pod and e30 diff. This is really massively over complicating things though. More info (and unnecessary arguing

) here -
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.p ... sc&start=0
My advice - Find an e21 m10 gearbox and get to work!!!
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:13 am
by attila_k
Thanx for advices, guys!I have a new idea of fitting the gearbox cover from E21 4sp gearbox to E30 5sp, so I will have the drive for speedo...
I dont know is it possible but I can try, as soon I get the E30 box..
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:45 pm
by attila_k
So I finally got na E30 gearbox, and no way to put in the gear from my 4sp box, and the driveshafts are different lenghts too!!!
The only solution is probably e30 driveshaft, e30 speedo, e30 hall sensor...
It will be hard but I hope I will make it work...
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:00 pm
by tommi_e21
dont use the e30 stuff your just wasting your time and money.
buy an e21 5 speed box, it will work out cheaper, Im pretty sure Rob (wizor) has a 5 speed for an m10 you can buy off him and maybe even a propshaft to match.
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:34 pm
by thetomc
Hmm. postage to Serbia could be interesting!!!
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:57 pm
by nas80
yeah - stick with 4 speed! you dont need 5 gears.
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:34 am
by attila_k
It is nice what you are saying, but belive me,it is imposibile to find 5SP gearbox for e21 in Serbia,
and importing it from other country is very complicated....
So I must try with e30 gearbox...
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:12 am
by Tims
I have sent a gearbox to Croatia and a whole interior to Belgrade, so not that impossible.
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:14 am
by thetomc
Web based quote from Interparcel,
35kG, 80x50x50 cm (estimate)
Uk to serbia
£90 2-5 days
Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:55 am
by attila_k
Is it the price for gearbox and postage, or just postage?

I got my e30 box for 70eur...
Money is not problem up to some limit...The biggest problem is that I cant find one...

Re: Automatic to manual swap
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:14 pm
by thetomc
That was just a quote for postage