Engine and gearbox question - M52

[E21_Ross]

edit: M50, not M52!

i think it's the M52 i mean, one from the later E34 525i... did it come with an optional 6 speed gearbox? it may be the M50. basically, i think when the time is right i want to stick that 2.5 litre straight six into the E21, and would love a 6 speed box with a long diff (nigh 200bhp will be plenty in a light car, but will have high cruising speeds). anyone have the gear ratios of the gear boxes? what about the 5 speed?

i have been pondering between the M42 and the M52 and i think the straight six wins it because it makes a lovely noise but i'm worried about it being fairly heavy up front and may upset the fun character of the car in the corners... who knows!!!

so basically, anyone know the gearbox ratios and available diff ratios?

cheers guys

Edited by E21_Ross on Thursday 3rd September 07:52

Edited by E21_Ross on Thursday 3rd September 08:20

[sniff diesel]

Don't think any E34 came with an M52 so think you mean the M50. None of them came with a 6 speed from the factory, but I have read of a conversion over on E36coupe.com of a guy using a 6 speed box from an M3 Evo on his M52B28 (328i) you could then put a long diff on from whatever E36:

320i: 3.45
M3 Evo: 3.23
M3 3.0l: 3.15
325i: 3.15
328i: 2.97
325td: 2.5 something

[E21_Ross]

sniff diesel said:

Don't think any E34 came with an M52 so think you mean the M50. None of them came with a 6 speed from the factory, but I have read of a conversion over on E36coupe.com of a guy using a 6 speed box from an M3 Evo on his M52B28 (328i) you could then put a long diff on from whatever E36:

320i: 3.45
M3 Evo: 3.23
M3 3.0l: 3.15
325i: 3.15
328i: 2.97
325td: 2.5 something

yeh i did mean the M50 i think the one i'm looking at is about 190bhp i think. thanks for those diff ratios i think something like from the 328i would be nice as said, even with a long diff it should pull it easy as it's such a light car

anyone know gearbox ratios?

cheers sniff diesel ps love your garage!

[sniff diesel]

E21_Ross said:

cheers sniff diesel ps love your garage!

Going to get rid of a couple as I admit it's a little E36 heavy ATM.

Here's the thread on the 6 speed conversion BTW:

http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&a...

[E21_Ross]

sniff diesel said:

E21_Ross said:

cheers sniff diesel ps love your garage!

Going to get rid of a couple as I admit it's a little E36 heavy ATM.

Here's the thread on the 6 speed conversion BTW:

http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&a...

thanks for the link, will take a look later, should be some relevant stuff there of course, even though it's going into the E21. would love a 6speed box in there used to only be 4 speed until i wanted 5

this would be an interesting conversion! couldn't do it myself so have my trusty specialist in somerset

thanks again mate

[190E Matt]

Just to let you know, The M50 is chain driven.

I am not sure on the reliability of the VANOS though.

[E21_Ross]

190E Matt said:

Just to let you know, The M50 is chain driven.

I am not sure on the reliability of the VANOS though.

cheers matty. i would prefer chain driven since it should never need to be changed. and those stupid plastic impeller water pumps can be changed when i do it!!!!