Author Topic: E36 ZF transmission. What driveshaft? (Read 5087 times)

wazzu70 · « **on:** November 27, 2011, 12:59:11 AM »

I am just curious what driveshaft I would need in my e30 if I switched to a ZF manual transmission from an e36. Do the same options work that work on the M50 engines in the e30 chassis? I am not sure if the back of the M42 and M50 are at the same plane.

Any advice appreciated and I have not seen the answer to this anywhere.

bwawuz02 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:22:16 AM »

The guys at http://www.hqautosport.com should know. They kept breaking g240s and said they were switching to the ZF behind their turbo M42.

wazzu70 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2011, 04:21:55 PM »

Unfortunately for me, they did the smart thing and had the propshaft shortened. Its not a factory length driveshaft.

I was hoping to find a factory solution to minimize downtime since this is my daily.

No worries though as I dont even have a ZF box yet

rob_e30 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2011, 05:52:15 PM »

Yes, you'll need to get a custom drive shaft. It was not too expensive and if you really want to limit the down time, have it done before you do the swap. If you're doing an M50 swap, then I'm not sure.

wazzu70 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2011, 01:19:53 AM »

Thanks Rob. I'm keeping the M42 until I blow a rod through the side of the block or some other nasty carnage

Warsteiner · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2011, 06:55:25 AM »

That's easy wazzu70......hahahaha Just re-use your rod bolts!!

Couldn't resist....

~Ralph

rob_e30 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2011, 08:32:52 AM »

Rut it without oil. You'll be surprised how hard it is to destroy one of these... believe me.