I love it when I find a small video, with EVERYTHING you need in it. Less than 13k views - This video is a goldmine! 50skid and shoplife are fantastic too but this is exactly what I needed to put my research into 1 place and prepare to execute. Thanks!!!
I'm in Cali and thinking this will be the way to go. E46 manual wagons are like Unicorns. Been looking for months and only found 1. Guy wanted 10k while similar autos were going for 5-6k.
First, thank you very much for a high definition, well explained demonstration of the swap. Also at the end when you started it up, the little gear with the exclamation point, is that limp mode? ii got that a few moths ago and my car was not happy at all, revved very high but was barely moving...
Hello, I have a 2003 330ci convertible with the ZF 5HP19 trans that is shot. I am planning to start collecting parts for the manual conversion and I have a complete list for everything I need. My question is, will any 5 spd E46 manual transmission (i.e. 325, 328, etc) work on my car? And, is one preferred over the others. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Since your talking transmission....Was curious on your opinion..........I have e30 BMW 325i '89 with 5 speed manual getrag 260 transmission. BMW used 3 different fluids, in the same transmission.....depending on the label: GREEN LABEL* GLS (75W90 GL-4) RED LABEL* AF (ATF preferably Dexron) NO LABEL** 80W GL-4 . From one source, you can actually use "any" of these in the transmission. The label was put on the transmission to tell anyone servicing the transmission that is what was originally put in it so they can add the SAME fluid because you should not mix different fluids. You can "supposedly" switch to one of the other fluids, if you completely drain the transmission. I called two different BMW Dealerships and one told me ATF and the other Dexron with little or no reference to the "labels" or lack there of. I believe the GLs (Gear oil) "should" work better in warmer weather than ATF. And ATF better in cold weather. If you change the type of fluid, I am scared there could be a "shock" to the transmission given it has been running on one type for over 27 years. My transmission as no label so 80W GL-4. Some have told me that GL-5 okay, which in theory would be better except GL-5 has sulfur content and this transmission has brass/copper/soft (yellow)metal bushing and sulfur should be avoided - sulfur corrodes these metals. My thought is that ATF would be easiest because it is the most readily available and most cost effective and GL-4s are getting more expensive and harder to find. From my understanding e39s have a "labeling" system too. What are your thoughts?
Thanks. That is what is in there now.....Unfortunately, it is starting to get on the expensive side about $20/qt (whether local or adding in shipping).....I know I should not be complaining with 2qts. But I would rather change more often with a good GL, then less often with the best. I have heard that Penzoil Sychromesh is suppose to be good. Some like it better than Redline.
Great work! Quick question, have you experienced the steering wheel vibrating when braking hard from around 70mph? I had new front calipers, disks and pads fitted to fix it originally but it came back a few thousand miles later. The shop warrantied the discs which again fixed it but the vibration is back for a third time in a year. I have a 2001 330ci in the UK. It is driving me crazy...no pun intended!
Art K requires some custom parts but can be done. I can quote one out if you want. contact through web site on channel if interested. probably 3,500 or so.
Hallo i have e46 325 Automatik 2002 am about to swap it to Manual. I have the zf Manual Transmission what driveshaft do i need i know driveshaft with 4 on the rear,but the 328i driveshaft are diffrent to the 325.
Hi already do my swap and the car drive fine I don't know if I have to change differential because the RPM when I go 80 MI go on four-and-a-half I don't know what to do if you can help me I appreciate it
Hi, I recently swapped out the automatic in my 02 325ci for a Getrag 5-speed and the car runs fine but I still have to get the ECU recoded and where I am in California, it appears to cost around $300-400, at least at the places I have checked thus far. Few people appear to know how to do it. I was wondering if in lieu of recoding to the manual, I could swap out an ECU, same ECU numbers, from an 02 325ci, already coded for a manual, with the matching EWS, ignition switch and key from the same donor vehicle. Will that eliminate my engine check light and scanner code hunting for the automatic?Also, which wires on the old harness to the automatic shifter connect to the back-up light switch on the manual? Thanks...
Question, any experience with doing an e90? I have an 07 328xi. The car itself is very clean, all suspension is refreshed and it runs amazingly well. I am very happy with the car except for the fact of it being an automatic of course. Any thoughts? everywhere I look online leads to a dead end.
ovalbore my gf got this same model fully loaded sport package in xi. is manual swap possible with the transfercase or too much headach? go wagons! i despise the auto transmission too
hey man i need your help!! i swapped my vw jetta vr6 from auto to manual but i cant find any type of safety switch wiring to let my car start plz help me
How come you didn't swap the diff doesn't it have different gear ratios. I had to do it to my e36 because it had a short 1st gear and always had to get out on Second gear. Just asking if the E46 is different.
Hello -- we do not have E46 320i here -- assuming that is an M54B20 then yes, the gearbox should fit the 325i. I would guess they are both the Getrag 250 unit.
hi. I am considering manual swap for my 2003 325i. I found an owner of 2002 330i who is selling all the parts for manual transmission swap, which includes transmission, drive shaft, etc. You mentioned in the video about using 1999/2000 328i drive shaft to mate zf to 325i touring. Does that also apply to 325i sedan as well? Also, anything else that I should be aware when putting zf into 325i, which is spec'ed for getrag? Thanks
Thanks for replying. Just to confirm, I think what you are saying is that the driveshaft from 330i cannot be used. So, I'll need a driveshaft from 328i (1999 or 2000) if I am going to put zf 320z into 325i. Thanks.
Hi, I'm looking for a manual swap on my E46 330ci vert. How much would you charge without me providing the parts and how much if I could provide the parts? Also where is your shop located? Thanks. Edit: Website link isn't working so I sent you a UA-cam message.
site reports working -- that's odd. where are you located? it's roughly $700 in parts as a minimum, additional for 'while you're in there parts'. labor is roughly $1,300 and coding is $150
- labor time 4.5 hours - yes, its in my channel - you'll need at very least a custom drive shaft to run a(n inferior) 6 speed in anything except a 330i or M3.
-heavier -more expensive -much weaker (not a problem for any stock M54/M52TU though) -requires a very restrictive 22 spline clutch disc, no performance upgrade options worth a darn -custom drive shaft for non 330 applications -tendancy to get 'loose' on center pretty easily. Yes that works with the 328 diff as far as I know. implied you had a touring, which requires a whole lot of rear end parts swapping to get working. absolutely not worth the hassle that the overdrive gets you (1.5 MPG +/-)
The weight is negligible for a street car (Which mine is). I don't need the strength, the strongest engine my car will ever see is the S54 and that's a long time away. And although I will get slightly better MPG, I'm mainly doing it so I can get the pull of a 3.46 diff with the noise of ~3,200rpm on the highway
Suit yourself. I've never had someone come in with a car and 6 speed aspirations not end up going 5 speed before but If you've got the parts sitting around and really want that OD, who am I to stop you.
I thought the 320 replaced the 310. Are you looking at the ZF part #? Most of the transmissions I found online had the following numbers: 1053401131 1053401097 1053401107
please will this work for BMW E39 too I mean is it the same process because I want to swap my BMW E39 520i model 1999 which is the 5 series into a manual transmission . and thank you so much . Best Regards
So I just got done my swap and I try starting it but nothing happens, I have power to it and it cracks when I give it direct power. Not sure if it’s because of the park nuetral safety switch from the auto trans. Any advice is much appreciated
Ovalbore so i plugged the module that. Measures the position of the transmission and left the sensor in Park and it started cranking. Do you know how to. Bypass this? And power i meant the battery wasnt dead.
haha -- what climate? A good all around oil is Liquimoly LL 5W40. if you have extreme cold, the mobil 1 0W40 probably. if you live in an area that typically hits 90-100+ and you run the AC a lot.. maybe the Mobil 5W50. I am for hire.
find a shop with an Autologic, a competent tech with a GT1, competent tech with ISTA or a cheap Dcan cable and a LOT of trial&error. OR send your computer out to someone who does that coding.
I love it when I find a small video, with EVERYTHING you need in it. Less than 13k views - This video is a goldmine! 50skid and shoplife are fantastic too but this is exactly what I needed to put my research into 1 place and prepare to execute. Thanks!!!
thanks! people skip a lot of important info.
A friend of mine had an avant in Germany, it drove like an absolute dream. Avants are just really hard to beat.
Amazing video thank you! Looking forward to doing this on a touring I’m getting soon.
I'm in Cali and thinking this will be the way to go. E46 manual wagons are like Unicorns. Been looking for months and only found 1. Guy wanted 10k while similar autos were going for 5-6k.
bashort1 that's where we got this one
got mine for 3k
This gave me the motivation I needed to do this to mine haha thanks man
First, thank you very much for a high definition, well explained demonstration of the swap. Also at the end when you started it up, the little gear with the exclamation point, is that limp mode? ii got that a few moths ago and my car was not happy at all, revved very high but was barely moving...
Thank u greetings from germany.
Hello, I have a 2003 330ci convertible with the ZF 5HP19 trans that is shot. I am planning to start collecting parts for the manual conversion and I have a complete list for everything I need. My question is, will any 5 spd E46 manual transmission (i.e. 325, 328, etc) work on my car? And, is one preferred over the others. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Bryan Skarbek i want to know this aswell
Following
So which transmission did you end up using for your swap?
Since your talking transmission....Was curious on your opinion..........I have e30 BMW 325i '89 with 5 speed manual getrag 260 transmission. BMW used 3 different fluids, in the same transmission.....depending on the label:
GREEN LABEL* GLS (75W90 GL-4)
RED LABEL* AF (ATF preferably Dexron)
NO LABEL** 80W GL-4 .
From one source, you can actually use "any" of these in the transmission. The label was put on the transmission to tell anyone servicing the transmission that is what was originally put in it so they can add the SAME fluid because you should not mix different fluids. You can "supposedly" switch to one of the other fluids, if you completely drain the transmission. I called two different BMW Dealerships and one told me ATF and the other Dexron with little or no reference to the "labels" or lack there of.
I believe the GLs (Gear oil) "should" work better in warmer weather than ATF. And ATF better in cold weather. If you change the type of fluid, I am scared there could be a "shock" to the transmission given it has been running on one type for over 27 years. My transmission as no label so 80W GL-4. Some have told me that GL-5 okay, which in theory
would be better except GL-5 has sulfur content and this transmission has brass/copper/soft (yellow)metal bushing and sulfur should be avoided - sulfur corrodes these metals. My thought is that ATF would be easiest because it is the most readily available and most cost effective and GL-4s are getting more expensive and harder to find. From my understanding e39s have a "labeling" system too. What are your
thoughts?
I tried GL4 75W90 -- great when hot but awful awful when cold. Redline MT90 works well, redline MTL is maybe the best fluid I've tried in a 260
Thanks. That is what is in there now.....Unfortunately, it is starting to get on the expensive side about $20/qt (whether local or adding in shipping).....I know I should not be complaining with 2qts. But I would rather change more often with a good GL, then less often with the best. I have heard that Penzoil Sychromesh is suppose to be good. Some like it better than Redline.
MrCuckoobox bad logic.
Track car/ Spirited Driver....Yes........DD Haaa.
it´s a pitty doesn´t have any e46 touring here in Brazil =\, beautiful car.
Awsome video....and holy shit...I thought my hands look like death after working on cars!!!
Marius my hands look like that whether i work on stuff of it
Great work! Quick question, have you experienced the steering wheel vibrating when braking hard from around 70mph? I had new front calipers, disks and pads fitted to fix it originally but it came back a few thousand miles later. The shop warrantied the discs which again fixed it but the vibration is back for a third time in a year. I have a 2001 330ci in the UK. It is driving me crazy...no pun intended!
Niaaal FCAB
Thanks for your reply, FCAB's were done back in May before the discs were replaced...
good video I have a 1997 740il BMW can I swap my Automatic transmission for a manual transmission in my 740il would it work and what parts I will need
Art K requires some custom parts but can be done. I can quote one out if you want. contact through web site on channel if interested. probably 3,500 or so.
Sure send me your website and let me know from what car I will need parts from thanks
Hallo i have e46 325 Automatik 2002 am about to swap it to Manual. I have the zf Manual Transmission what driveshaft do i need i know driveshaft with 4 on the rear,but the 328i driveshaft are diffrent to the 325.
My envy is immeasurable.
Time to find a RWD E46 iT I guess ;)
Hi, great video. I have a 2002 325it and plan on using a ZF320 transmission. Would a manual driveshaft off a 2000 323i work with the ZF320?
no
Hi already do my swap and the car drive fine I don't know if I have to change differential because the RPM when I go 80 MI go on four-and-a-half I don't know what to do if you can help me I appreciate it
thats how wagons are supposed to be. you can put in a sedan diff but car gets sluggish
@@OvalboreCars ok thanks for your help
Hi, I recently swapped out the automatic in my 02 325ci for a Getrag 5-speed and the car runs fine but I still have to get the ECU recoded and where I am in California, it appears to cost around $300-400, at least at the places I have checked thus far. Few people appear to know how to do it. I was wondering if in lieu of recoding to the manual, I could swap out an ECU, same ECU numbers, from an 02 325ci, already coded for a manual, with the matching EWS, ignition switch and key from the same donor vehicle. Will that eliminate my engine check light and scanner code hunting for the automatic?Also, which wires on the old harness to the automatic shifter connect to the back-up light switch on the manual? Thanks...
great tutorial!
noticed the CEL is on. Is that due to the swap?
AapexX86 this is pre coding.
Coincidentally I'm picking up a 325i manual Touring 2006 today!
E91? that's basically what I daily
MplsBav yes!
ThatGuyNamedScott. C love it. RWD? if so that's a real unicorn
MplsBav yes! As far as I'm aware we only got the RWD ones here in England!
ThatGuyNamedScott. C excellent! we got 36,000 e91 325 and 328 wagons here from 06-11. only 183 were manual and rwd. took FOREVER to find mine
Should've put in a 6 speed ZHP transmission.
no, I shouldn't have.
Now I know that not all heroes have cloak and mask Thanks dude .awesome
hahaha! well played.
I'm gonna be first timing this on an E30 this winter, how long do you think it would take on jackstands? Hoping I can clear it in under 2 weeks.
E30s, depending on rust levels take me between 6.5 and 8 hours
At 2:50, you mention a place where you would have gotten the parts. I couldn't really make out what you were saying. What place? Thanks!
Chris Riccio no idea
Blunt Tech
hey i did my car and the clutch slipps hard in every gear
Question, any experience with doing an e90? I have an 07 328xi. The car itself is very clean, all suspension is refreshed and it runs amazingly well. I am very happy with the car except for the fact of it being an automatic of course. Any thoughts? everywhere I look online leads to a dead end.
DLozano0405 haven't been approached seriously to do it yet. i'm sure i could though.
The thing that worries me the most about the swap on my car, is if and how the transfer case will be affected. Have you done an e46 xi?
DLozano0405 yes
ovalbore my gf got this same model fully loaded sport package in xi. is manual swap possible with the transfercase or too much headach? go wagons! i despise the auto transmission too
hey man i need your help!! i swapped my vw jetta vr6 from auto to manual but i cant find any type of safety switch wiring to let my car start plz help me
Hallo me again will 328ci zf Transmission fit my Saden facelift 2002 325 if i Do the swapp
facelift is irrelevant to swaps
Hi i Have 2000 E46 323ci 5speed manual can i install a transmission from 330ci 5speed manual also or nothing difference? ty
How come you didn't swap the diff doesn't it have different gear ratios. I had to do it to my e36 because it had a short 1st gear and always had to get out on Second gear. Just asking if the E46 is different.
all RWD wagons (AT and MT) have a 3.46 rear end ratio here.
Hallo from germany i want to do the swsp as well will the gearbox from 2001 320i 170hp fit 325i 2002
Hello -- we do not have E46 320i here -- assuming that is an M54B20 then yes, the gearbox should fit the 325i. I would guess they are both the Getrag 250 unit.
Thank u greetings from germany.
So do i need the 328 driveshaft and the flatdics.
correct
know any reliable and good mechanic in texas? trying to get this swap done to my 2001 325i touring
Mark Spelman road trip to MN. it only takes a day to do the swap (and coding if you plan really well)
hi. I am considering manual swap for my 2003 325i. I found an owner of 2002 330i who is selling all the parts for manual transmission swap, which includes transmission, drive shaft, etc. You mentioned in the video about using 1999/2000 328i drive shaft to mate zf to 325i touring. Does that also apply to 325i sedan as well? Also, anything else that I should be aware when putting zf into 325i, which is spec'ed for getrag? Thanks
you wont be able to use the drive shaft. everything else fits fine. 325 shipped with getrag -- you can use either
Thanks for replying. Just to confirm, I think what you are saying is that the driveshaft from 330i cannot be used. So, I'll need a driveshaft from 328i (1999 or 2000) if I am going to put zf 320z into 325i. Thanks.
Any chance you could make a list of parts and what cars you got them from?
no.
what drive shaft would i need for a e46 325ci? thanks
Hi, I'm looking for a manual swap on my E46 330ci vert. How much would you charge without me providing the parts and how much if I could provide the parts? Also where is your shop located? Thanks.
Edit: Website link isn't working so I sent you a UA-cam message.
site reports working -- that's odd.
where are you located? it's roughly $700 in parts as a minimum, additional for 'while you're in there parts'. labor is roughly $1,300 and coding is $150
I have a 2001 bmw 330xi and thinking of doing a swap to manual.do u think its its worth it and how much time should it take as well as cost?
it's really not too bad on the Xi although it is a bit harder over all. drive shafts are the same between AT and MT Xi at least. same wiring process.
I want one of these very bad
great cars. 90% as good as my unicorn E91 DD for a lot less money
How long did this take you? I see in another comment you have a website? Link? Keeping this in mind for when I swap in a ZHP (or 04+) 6-speed
- labor time 4.5 hours
- yes, its in my channel
- you'll need at very least a custom drive shaft to run a(n inferior) 6 speed in anything except a 330i or M3.
How is it inferior? I'll be using a 330 diff to mate with the driveshaft and swap output flanges. My 328 axles are the same diameter
-heavier
-more expensive
-much weaker (not a problem for any stock M54/M52TU though)
-requires a very restrictive 22 spline clutch disc, no performance upgrade options worth a darn
-custom drive shaft for non 330 applications
-tendancy to get 'loose' on center pretty easily.
Yes that works with the 328 diff as far as I know. implied you had a touring, which requires a whole lot of rear end parts swapping to get working.
absolutely not worth the hassle that the overdrive gets you (1.5 MPG +/-)
The weight is negligible for a street car (Which mine is). I don't need the strength, the strongest engine my car will ever see is the S54 and that's a long time away. And although I will get slightly better MPG, I'm mainly doing it so I can get the pull of a 3.46 diff with the noise of ~3,200rpm on the highway
Suit yourself. I've never had someone come in with a car and 6 speed aspirations not end up going 5 speed before but If you've got the parts sitting around and really want that OD, who am I to stop you.
Aren't the pedal boxes the same, minus the clutch pedal on that dowel?
Emri Pires yes, easier to swap boxes assembled. brake pedal blows to swap over in the car
true dat
How do you tell the difference between a ZF 310 and 320? Lot's of conflicting info online. Which should I aim to buy?
reaudiose15 part numbers. you can use either. production on the 320 stopped in 1995
I thought the 320 replaced the 310. Are you looking at the ZF part #? Most of the transmissions I found online had the following numbers:
1053401131
1053401097
1053401107
reaudiose15 no, 320 was e34 and 95 m3
please will this work for BMW E39 too I mean is it the same process because I want to swap my BMW E39 520i model 1999 which is the 5 series into a manual transmission .
and thank you so much .
Best Regards
saleh byatra no.
see the e39 video i have. the process is similar electrically to this e46 but mechanically to that 97 528
Or i have to reset the car?
So I just got done my swap and I try starting it but nothing happens, I have power to it and it cracks when I give it direct power. Not sure if it’s because of the park nuetral safety switch from the auto trans. Any advice is much appreciated
you have 'power to it'. what are you referring to.
Ovalbore so i plugged the module that. Measures the position of the transmission and left the sensor in Park and it started cranking. Do you know how to. Bypass this? And power i meant the battery wasnt dead.
type in E46 manual swap on youtube. watch my videos.
that will tell you how to wire it. don't use the trans e-plug.
What oil should I use on this same car ? I have same car do my manual swap;)
haha -- what climate? A good all around oil is Liquimoly LL 5W40. if you have extreme cold, the mobil 1 0W40 probably. if you live in an area that typically hits 90-100+ and you run the AC a lot.. maybe the Mobil 5W50.
I am for hire.
Atf fluid
On a swop like this, can you keep the all wheel drive?
swop? the AWD retain AWD but I highly recommend against the Xi. not a very good car.
What about reverse light wiring, is it on the auto shift?
a $150 optional extra I've only had 1 person ever opt for. pretty worthless money spent IMO.
question- do you have to recode the ecu to drive it after the manual swap?
You don't have to -- but to get rid of the CEL and GPS indicator, you do
thanks. currently in the process of doing my 328i.
Do u have a link for the ecs tuning kit for all the bits?
no such thing
Hi! I'm doing a manual swap next week on my car, do I need to remove the transmission computer?
Acidgush97 after coding, yes
how do I do the coding?
find a shop with an Autologic, a competent tech with a GT1, competent
tech with ISTA or a cheap Dcan cable and a LOT of trial&error.
OR send your computer out to someone who does that coding.
awesome! thanks a lot!
Is the process the same for AWD 325xiT?
Colton Overson no
Was this completed in one day?
yes, 5 hours.
That's awesome. Wish I had that skill set.
they are ok cars.
would you recommend this car for my gf?
depends on how awesome she is. Wagoning is a big responsibility.
how much do you charge for this swap? labor wise
Depends on the exact car but a 4 bolt RWD it's typically 6-700 in swap labor and the coding is done locally here for $150
+Ovalbore how do you do the coding? And what control unit do you have to re code?
is there a parts list for the swap? im currently looking to get a 6speed from a swap not sure what i need to pull fro the car
What about the reverse switch?
$150 optional extra during the swap that few opt for -- Reversing lights aren't terribly useful.
hey can u email me I would like to do a swap on my 323i 2000 and I really would like to kno what parts do I need ???
The link is not working
Is it the same for a coupe?
as long as youre working on a 323, 325 or 328, yes.
@Ovalbore did you swap the differential in this car as well?
I don't believe so.
Where are you located?
Anthony A. 55106
what are your costs :)
Nick Henno inquire directly
is it the same for a 2001 z3
shawn c not even a little
how much you think it wood cost
can you do this to a xi?
Nick Henno yes
no drive video :(
customer needed car back asap. had to lend them the fiat in the mean time.
can you send me your web site. Thanks
its in my youtube channel page