Will a getrag 240 gearbox line up to a e36 m42?

[doigal]

Does anyone know, with certainty, that an m40 getrag 240 gearbox would line up to a m42 from an e36? The ETK shows the bell house to be slightly different (i think that theres a single missing bolt hole in the older one at the top), but the ETK pictures have been wrong before. When I got underneath the car today the stock box's bellhousing certainly shared more in common with the e36 picture than the e30 one. I'm hoping that they'll bolt up no problems.

Can anyone say 100% sure that this will work though?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/doigal/BMW%20e30%20work%20log/ETK-e36318ism42.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/doigal/BMW%20e30%20work%20log/ETK-e30318i.jpg

[sheepdog]

Well, I was told by the guy I am getting my e36 m42 motor from that he was told they would not fit, however, he has both trans and they appear to be the same pattern (maybe minus one hole).

The engine blocks are supposed to be identical.

If you look at both part lists, they have both been through changes, odds are, the e36 went through changes to fit other engines while maintaining backwards compatibility, which would explain the extra holes.

[tim_s]

as per sheepdog, it will bolt up. early e36 m42s use the same block casting as ours. dunno about prop, linkage etc though, be interesting to hear how this pans out.

[doigal]

The thing is that i'm trying to order a parts car for the swap, but have been told that it is almost impossible to get a manual. Hence, if i can keep the old m40 gear south of the gearbox then its sweet!

From the diagram its only that hole at the top that'll be the difference.... I might call BMW and ask them if they have any better pictures... its worth a shot!

[D. Clay]

At a time like this it really pays to know your local junk er....salvage yard - er....automotive recycler. Take a tape measure with you.

[romkasponka]

S5D fit on M42(E30) but you nead few mods, like clutch cilinder, pilot bearing, drill starter sentering hole 0,5mm bigger. Why don't you want to leave S5D gearbox?

[doigal]

Well i'm in australia - there just isnt that much demand for bmw wreckers at cheap (ie not extorsion) prices, so I doubt a lot of them would actually have this stuff lying around. Its worth a shot though...

Why i'm asking is because i'm trying to do an M40 to e36 m42 swap, but the front cut i can get for cheap is an auto. The hope is to keep the old 5spd and just put the new engine in.