engine / gear box interface

[CSLmarson]

hello all

just a quick question im thinking of buying a bmw 635csi shell and i need to buy a donor car

only problem is they all seem to be auto boxes and obviously i need a manual for track driving

if i managed to get a decent donor with an auto in it is it a massive massive job to convert it to a manual ?????????

any help and advice would be appreciated

im only an amateur mechanic so understand this will be a big job but im up for the challenge

[DrDeAtH]

The holes in the bulkhead should be there for the manual, just blanked off for the auto version. I don't see BMW making 2 separate bulkheads for 1 car.

[andyiley]

Assuming you can pick up the manual 'box that you want, a flywheel that is compatible & a pedal box to suit, it is a time consuming, but not difficult job.

I did exactly the same job on a Vauxhall Senator several years ago.

The easiest way to do it is with both cars up on stands next to each other IMHO.

[stevieturbo]

CSLmarson said:

hello all

just a quick question im thinking of buying a bmw 635csi shell and i need to buy a donor car

only problem is they all seem to be auto boxes and obviously i need a manual for track driving

if i managed to get a decent donor with an auto in it is it a massive massive job to convert it to a manual ?????????

any help and advice would be appreciated

im only an amateur mechanic so understand this will be a big job but im up for the challenge

Really you've highlighted the problem yourself. If the engine you're intending to use was rarely fitted with a manual...sourcing a complete setup that will bolt straight in will be a difficult task

Are you looking for a 3.5 straight 6, or open to a different engine ?

You'd probably be better asking on some of the BMW forums, perhaps some of the older M3/M5 boxes etc will bolt on. If they do, then largely you'll need a pedal assembly from a manual car to fit your shell. Maybe the 5's are the same ?

[anonymous-user]

I had a 635, tropical/foreign car so a funny spec it was a 'proper' 635 M spec, suspension interior etc but had the m30 engine and an auto box, I looked at a change to the manual and my research was that it was easy the box from the 7, 5 or even Alpina 3 was a straight fit, never did as the car was in a garage being serviced when the gaage burnt down, I have a mate who has a japanes spec e30 M3, this did not have the dog leg gear box and a lower diff, he had no problem interchanging the box on that for a dog leg but need to change the diff ratio, again diffs were interchangeable across the series.

[CSLmarson]

thanks for the comms gent

ideally im looking for the 3.5 M30 lump with a manual dog leg box but realistically I might have to go for something out from another beemer

due to not being able to find the one I want,

the thing is I need a whole donor car because I also need all the drive shafts, dif , brakes

everything as what I have is just a shell with a steering shaft and pedal box.

like one of you guys said I need to have both cars next to each other and swap bits over,

what do you thing the best place to ask what cars parts are compatible as I know beamers use a lot of parts across the range

thanks for your help

[Steve_D]

Perhaps a silly question but if this is just to be a track slag then why not just buy a complete manual car?
Seems a bit strange to buy an empty shell and then buy another car to get the missing bits.

Steve

[CSLmarson]

hi steve

I know it sounds daft as I already have a 328i track slag it just this is a 635csi wide arch

with full cage and Perspex panels, rare as hens teeth and cool as well you know what,

it would look a menace on track

[imagineifyeswill]

I cant be certain but knowing older BMWs I would think 5 or 7 series mechanical bits would be interchangeable to the 635, I would advise fitting the pedal box first whilst the engine bay is empty just purely from an access point of view.