HELP!! e36 m3 smg - manual coversion started!!

[ALS M3]

im running an m3 thats already had the conversion done but using the original smg box, it does work but it doesnt have the detent springs fitted and not very nice to drive so i have just purchased a proper 6 speed box.

does anybody know if this is a straight swap as the garage thinks i might have to swap the ecu with the car originally being an smg!!

and can anybody fit me the detent springs to me smg box ??

cheers

[swtmerce]

You don't need to change your ECU. Do a straight swap and it will run fine. Just don't go removing your SMG fuses/relays otherwise that WILL disable the car.

Re the detent springs, it is not a simple case of just fitting them. The bellhousing on the SMG box needs to be machined to accept them.

[ALS M3]

thats good news thanks thought it was going to get complicated. can you tell me if the master cylinder is different on the smg and manuual and if anything to do with this cld be why the clutch is heavy?

getting them springs fitted sound a hard job, do you know anyone or anywhere that does it ?

thanks again mate

[swtmerce]

If by master cylinder you mean part 1:

then yes they are different because the SMG doesn't have one. The slave cylinder (part 14) is also different. If you want a guide to how it's done then I suggest you read this: http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&am...

The machining of the SMG bellhousing can be done by any proper machine shop with a mill big enough to fit the bellhousing on to. Guide is on the US Bimmerforums http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.ph...

Edited by swtmerce on Tuesday 11th January 18:51

[audirmz]

ALS M3 said:

im running an m3 thats already had the conversion done but using the original smg box, it does work but it doesnt have the detent springs fitted and not very nice to drive so i have just purchased a proper 6 speed box.

does anybody know if this is a straight swap as the garage thinks i might have to swap the ecu with the car originally being an smg!!

and can anybody fit me the detent springs to me smg box ??

cheers

Hallo als m3.
IMO you shouldn't buy another gearbox but to fit the detent springs. it would be much cheaper.
Although once you bought it it will fit bolt on,BUT KEEP THE SMG ONE because you can use it for parts if something will go wrong with the manual.
The synchros fail if you press enough the gearbox and as it known for the 6speed gearbox you cant buy anything in spare parts but the whole gearbox,very expensive thought.
You need the master cylinder the slave cylinder(they are not the same with the smg,smg is a bit shorter)my opinion is to install also a braided line from the master to slave cylinder,it helps enough plus the clutch pedal with the help spring.
This spring make the pedal softer.This is all you need to finish with the tranny.

Now for the electrics.
I took out first the consol from inside the car this with the smg button.
Then i unpluged the smg ecu.
After that the car didn't want to start.I put it back again and the car started.
It worked without any problems except that in the display on the speedmeter it came a code E1 with a warning triangle but the car was running without any promblems.
After 1 week researh on internet i found out some very helpfull pictures to solve this promblem.
I took the smg ecu again out and i did this which i found on the pictures and the smg display was out of function plus that the car was running perfect but this time everything that had to do with the smg were out of the car.

SMG PUMP
SMG ECU
ALL THE HOSE LINES FROM THE SMG PUMP UNTIL THE GEARBOX
THE ACTUATOR FROM THE GEARBOX
THE GEAR SHIFTING
AND THE FUSE WITH THE FUSE BOX FROM THE PUMP UNTIL THE SMG ECU.
You dont need another engine ecu or wiring loom NOT AT ALL.

Here is the picture to start the car without the smg ecu.



1)

2)

If you need further help let me know.I hope this helps.

[ALS M3]

Cheers guys for all your help, much apreciated.

the car has been in the garage 2 weeks now as its being done bit by bit when they have a spare few hours, what they want to know now is should there be another part i need that goes over the gearstick before it goes in the car? sound proofing or a seal ?? and also the 2 sensors on the origional box and the 1 sensor on the new manual box, what do we do with these ?

thanks again. AL

[audirmz]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG91...

You need the part number 12 but you can fit it and after from inside the car.The material from this part is something like sponge and it's flexible.Just take away this base which is there in front of the astrey.The smg gearstick had 3 srews,2 in the front 1 in the rear or the opposite(i am note sure any more).


1 sensor from the smg gearbox you must leave on it otherwise it will stay's a whole there which mean's the oil will come out.This sensor is there to show you in which year your smg gearbox was running.This that you could see in the indicator on your tachometer 1,2,3,4......
I left it there unplugged only to close this whole.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG91...

I speak for the number 16.This must stay there but unplugged.Anyway you can not plug somewhere any more.
Number 20 is a temberature sensor for the oil gearbox.This must me plugged on the manual gearbox.
Everything else that you see in this diagram you don't need anything at all!!!!!

[ALS M3]

Great im glad it can be fitted after so we can crack on. the box is now in and has been driven but there is a squeeking noise! the garage thinks it might be from inside the box! any ideas what this cld be?

im just off to check this noise out and take it for a quick spin

thanks again

[audirmz]

ALS M3 said:

Great im glad it can be fitted after so we can crack on. the box is now in and has been driven but there is a squeeking noise! the garage thinks it might be from inside the box! any ideas what this cld be?

im just off to check this noise out and take it for a quick spin

thanks again

I dont know about this noise.I hope that it's not something bad.Have fun with your MANUAL M3 know...

[ALS M3]

I test drove my car today and it definately feels a lot better with the new clutch and gearbox. there is a squeek though everytime you press the clutch pedal when driving just at biting point!! the garage isnt sure what it is exactly and its a big job to take it all apart again so im going to leave it for a bit and see if it goes or doesnt bother me.
The clutch is still very heavy though im wondering if there all like this!

1 other thing is i also have the e1 warning light on the dash constantly, is that pic with the screwdriver the part i need to remove to solve this ? if so where exactly on the car is it ? near the main fuses ?

looking forward to getting it back now so i can get my vader seats in then i think the next job is tyres for my 18's and get it lowered what you reckon 30mm considering speed bumps etc ??

[audirmz]

I will answer you tomorrow because i just came home from job.Have a nice evening Giorgos.

[audirmz]

Hallo,
If you want to take away this E1 warning light then you must disconnect the smg ecu.
The ecu is in the same place with the engine ecu.
Up is the smg ecu and down the engine ecu.Just pull down and disconect it.
Afterwards the car wont to start because the smg ecu will not sent signal in the engine ecu that everything is ok with the smg gearbox.
To solve this you must find this fuse next of your fuse box and to make a bridge like this that you can see in the picture.Put the fuse back and the car will start again.
If you will not do this bridge then the car will not start again.
It's very easy to do it.
For the clutch you must install the numbers 3, 14, 9, 11, 15, 14 and after the clutch will be softer.
Have a nice evening.


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG91...

[swtmerce]

Alternatively you can just remove the dash binnacle then take out the plug to the SMG display.