M3 Gearbox - E36 - E46

[lsclayton]

I have a 1997 M3 Evo 3.2 6 speed gearbox.
At a recent trackday 3rd gear started crunching no matter how far down the clutch was pressed.

I am therefore thinking of getting a new gearbox.

Does anyone know if a e46 M3 gearbox (NOT SMG) will fit my car ?
and if it does, is it a direct swap in and out or is there other messing about & parts needed ?

[E36GUY]

Try the braided clutch hose mod first to give you a bit more give on the clutch before you replace the box.

[asbo]

absolutely.

Whilst 3rd is the most susceptable to failure, you need to rule out the well documented clutch hose expansion problem first.

A new 'box won't be cheap and they aren't plentiful either.

[GTWayne]

Why not fit a 5 speed box from a 3.0ltr? I have been told that the same box is used in the 325/8 too, so they are plentiful/cheap? If you intend to use the car for more track work I believe it to be the favoured alternative within these circles ( pardon the pun although it was fully intended )

[lsclayton]

I already have the braided clutch hose, but thanks for the advice.

As for 5-speed. I read an article that sounded like it was a lot of work and that I need other parts such as diff coupling, propshaft, etc.

[taffyracer]

5 speed is definitely the way to go if you track it alot, much much better

[naetype]

lsclayton said:

I already have the braided clutch hose, but thanks for the advice.

As for 5-speed. I read an article that sounded like it was a lot of work and that I need other parts such as diff coupling, propshaft, etc.

The 6 speed box is longer than the 5 speed so you'd have to at least get the front section of a 3.0 propshaft to get it to fit.

[Mroad]

naetype said:

lsclayton said:

I already have the braided clutch hose, but thanks for the advice.

As for 5-speed. I read an article that sounded like it was a lot of work and that I need other parts such as diff coupling, propshaft, etc.

The 6 speed box is longer than the 5 speed so you'd have to at least get the front section of a 3.0 propshaft to get it to fit.

I'm thinking of this conversion too as I need the gearbox off anyway to sort an oil leak (an my 6 speed does baulk 2nd occansionally on track) and I was lead to believe the conversion is 5 speed box (328 or 3.0 M3) and 3.0 M3 prop and that's it?
While I'm in there I will be sticking on a new clutch but clutch wise there is slight difference between the 3.0 M3 and 3.2 (clutch cover), so with the 5 speed box I assume the 3.2 clutch is the one to go for or is there a clearance issue?
What's people's opinion (those that have done the conversion) on a lightened flywheel? Worth it or not?

Sorry that turned into a question fest!

[GTV6M3]

see my topic here http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&am...

an e46 M3 manual box goes into the e36 Evo very easily .. all you need is the box and couple of the e46 clutch parts

[metcalp]

i have a spare E46 M3 manual box for sale

[dan101smith]

5 speed box is cheaper and lighter, even with the other bits needed. If you're not worried about losing the cruising benefit of having a 6th gear, that's got to be the way to go.

[warsteiner///M3]

i have tried this, and whilst it will physically bolt up to the e36 engine, the splines on the input shaft are
different on both boxes. so you could put the e46 box onto the e36, but you'd have to use the e46 friction plate with the e46 gearbox

[lsclayton]

OK, after a couple of conversations I fancy the idea of the 5 speed box.

How easy are these to get hold of though, especially in good condition (due to the mileage most of them have seen).

Also, how difficult is the job, I will not be doing myself, but I want to make sure that I am not going to end up spending a fortune on labour.

[dan101smith]

Availibility should be pretty good as they're fitted to the 3.0 M3 and the 328i - I got offered one not long ago for £40.

And fitting shouldn't be a big job either - estimate half a day?

[lsclayton]

At that price, I will buy two!

So it is the same box that is fitted to 3.0 & 328 ?

[dan101smith]

Yep, that's the 5 speed box you want.

[lsclayton]

if I go for the 5-speed what are the other parts that are required to hook it up to an EVO

[dan101smith]

From memory you need the gearbox, prop, pressure plate and you need to swap the flange for the diff input to the Evo one.

[TheEnd]

The evo diff input flange should be OK, as they used the same CV joint on the rear.

From looking around at different bits, there was a change in the prop mid-way through the run, which means you need to be careful if you just want to use the front half.
Being honest, it's unlikely anyone would sell you half a prop anyway, so a full 3.0 prop will be fine.

The evo diff, despite being larger has it's flange at the same point, all you need is a 125mm longer prop.
If i remember correctly, this will then leave you with the same drivetrain as the euro M3 GT

[lsclayton]

OK, I know it has been a while, but it has been a cold winter and I have been poor during that time due to redudancy.

However a new season of trackdays is about to begin and I am back in work.

So I bought a 5 speed box, it was out of a Z3M and came with the front part of the propshaft.

However it would appear that the front of the Z3M and the rear of the EVO prop are NOT compatible.

Does anybody know anything about this ?

Also if it doesnt work, what do I need to buy to get it to work ?

is it just a case of getting a propshaft from a 5-speed e36 (preferably 325/328/M3) to get this to work ?