M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: m10m42 on December 30, 2007, 01:32:36 PM

Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: m10m42 on December 30, 2007, 01:32:36 PM: Hi to all, I am new to this forum...

I am returning to life an abused 318is E30 that I bought first as a donor car, but finally I decided to give it a chance., and for now I need a new gearbox...

I am looking for a 318is one, but for now I haven't find any... so I wonder if there is another option (318i or 316i...)

Regards from sunny Spain...:D:D
Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: bar73k on December 30, 2007, 11:46:40 PM: m40 gearboxes fit

there are other options too, but some require more work than others
Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: Febi Guibo on December 31, 2007, 12:41:46 AM: getrag 240/5 tranny's were used in other cars, like volvos... save your current bellhousing and poke around...
Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: Asserti on July 18, 2009, 10:46:51 PM: Not wanting to open up a new topic...

I was swapping engines today, my engine, changed by the engine of a friend who crashed his car :(. He had a late 1990 or even 1991 car I think.

I wanted to keep my gearbox because of several reasons, but when trying to fit his engine on my gearbox, it wouldn't go.

The axle/shaft, coming out of the gearbox, going into the clutch etc.. from my gearbox was thicker then the one of his gearbox. So I had to use his gearbox, or change his flywheel/clutch assembly.

Does anyone know why these 2 M42's (from outside looking to have both the leight flywheel), have different gearbox axles?

Thanks in advance!
Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: fabe on July 19, 2009, 01:01:14 AM: Quote from: Asserti;75462
Not wanting to open up a new topic...

I was swapping engines today, my engine, changed by the engine of a friend who crashed his car :(. He had a late 1990 or even 1991 car I think.

I wanted to keep my gearbox because of several reasons, but when trying to fit his engine on my gearbox, it wouldn't go.

The axle/shaft, coming out of the gearbox, going into the clutch etc.. from my gearbox was thicker then the one of his gearbox. So I had to use his gearbox, or change his flywheel/clutch assembly.

Does anyone know why these 2 M42's (from outside looking to have both the leight flywheel), have different gearbox axles?

Thanks in advance!

both gearboxes from a E30 318is???? perhaps some photos would be better to illustrate the problems.

u mean the clutch set can't fit??? that is indeed strange... AFAIK, the shaft pattern is universal for most BMW (especially from the same era) but the shaft front end tip diameter maybe different, requiring a corresponding pilot bearing to be fitted at the back of the crankshaft...
Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: DesktopDave on July 19, 2009, 08:30:41 AM: I thought most gearboxes were the same on all e30s, except for the M3 and euro 320is. I have very limited experience in this area though...don't take my word for it. You should have two Getrag 240s there, they were stock on the M42. I'm not sure what the M40 carried, but I'd bet it's also a 240.

They should both have the dual-mass heavy flywheel though. Maybe your friend swapped a bigger gearbox with a larger clutch? I'm not sure what parts would do it, but I'm sure it'd all be OEM BMW. Post some part numbers or pics.
Title: gearbox troubles
Post by: Wise Old Dog on July 19, 2009, 11:54:24 AM: The input shaft tip of the early 1990 made gearbox was smaller than the late year shaft. It was a mid-year change. You can use either one, you just have to use the correct sized pilot bearing. RealOem will have the info. If you enter different mfg dates you can find when it changes.