Turbo M42 Club Racer Hits a Snag...

[D. Clay]

Just thinking out loud: What else is involved in swapping an M20 flywheel, clutch and Getrag 260 trans into a 318is? Is this basically what you are running - lightening the flywheel so there is no need for the M42 dual mass flywheel spacer ring?

[rob_e30]

Not running yet.  Travel for work plus the person who's doing the software just had a baby so I'm not pushing him.  Once I'm finished getting the drive line together I have to tow it to a fabricator to get the intake (intercooler) plumbing and exhaust done, then it will be ready to start.  

Ran into a snag with the throttlebody so I have to customize it, flip it over, and fab up some brackets.

As far as what's required, it looks like a M20 lightened flywheel with M20 clutch, M20 starter, TOB,  and Getrag 260 are a complete combo.  I believe if you use the 240 you'll need a different TOB but there are other threads on that.

[bar73k]

Have you got any pics of the gearbox from underneath?

I'm thinking about putting an m20 gearbox behind my motor
as i can get an m20 gearbox cheaper than a newer
e36 325 or 328 gearbox which is a straight fit (need to play around with
tail shaft length maybe).

How did you have to modify the gearbox mounts?

How did you have to modify the shifter linkage?

I have been trying to find pics or even just more information
abouts this but cannot seem to find anything anywhere.

[rob_e30]

Have you got any pics of the gearbox from underneath?

I'm thinking about putting an m20 gearbox behind my motor
as i can get an m20 gearbox cheaper than a newer
e36 325 or 328 gearbox which is a straight fit (need to play around with
tail shaft length maybe).

How did you have to modify the gearbox mounts?

How did you have to modify the shifter linkage?

I have been trying to find pics or even just more information
abouts this but cannot seem to find anything anywhere.

My recommendation would be to find the proper transmission.  You'd have to modify the tranny mounts, shifter linkage, and prop shaft.

[sheepdog]

Well as some of you are aware, a friend and I are in the process of building a turbo M42 for BMW Club Racing.  We started with an 89 325i chassis and have poured a ton of work into the engine development.  I looked around for information on dropping an M42 into a 325 body and had trouble finding details.  

We'll I've identified a major issue...  Although the M42 will bolt to the Getrag 260 it fails to line up properly with the tranny mounts, the tranny appears skewed left to right and rotated slightly, and it sits a few inches short of both the prop shaft as well as the opening for the shifter to pass into the cockpit.

I'm trying to figure out what my options are.  I'm kicking myself because I had the tranny that came with the car which I sold for $100.  I figured I didn't need it and I paid only $200 for the engine so I was feeling generous.

I'm open to suggestions... if I have to swap in a different tranny which one will bolt up and fit the easiest?  Will I have to replace the prop shaft as well?

For some reason, this board NEVER notifies me of subsrcibed threads even though I subscribe and my e-mail is correct.  I do get PM's but I'll be checking in as well.  If anyone in SoCal would like to see the work so far, I'd love to have you stop by so that I can check out your car and make some measurements!  Heck, I'll even provide the beer.  

Your email provider or your spam settings are probably blocking M42club.