Manual to Automatic gearbox swap

[Siebener]

Hello,

I,m Jans and living in The Netherlands (Holland), 30 years old and also a BMW fan.

This week I picked up my new E36 323Ti, Fully M exterior and interior loaded. It will replace my current BMW E38 728i. The E38 will be disassambled in the next 2 months.

Question:

Is it possible to swap a M52B23 (manual) to a M52B28 (automatic)? If it's possible what do I need to make the swap succesful?

Thanks in advance

Kind regards,

Jans

[PrimeTimeSlime]

Sure, it is possible, but why???

There are tons of people who do the reverse swap, auto to manual. If you have a donor car with a m52b28, it will go a lot more smoothly.

Edit** Are you talking about swapping just the engine? That is very possible. I did it as have many of the members on this forum.

[1996 328ti]

That's something you don't see everyday.

[slow_ti]

Please.. Please don't

[Siebener]

Originally Posted by PrimeTimeSlime

Sure, it is possible, but why???

There are tons of people who do the reverse swap, auto to manual. If you have a donor car with a m52b28, it will go a lot more smoothly.

Edit** Are you talking about swapping just the engine? That is very possible. I did it as have many of the members on this forum.

Hello PrimeTimeSlime,

Yes I have a donor car and that's my old E38. But what I fear, is that the size of the automatic gearbox will not fit. It is an another gearbox (E38) than stock (E36) is delivered for the Ti series. This one is semi-sequential and maybe is the size of the gearbox larger than stock and will get a problem with the driveshaft.

Further, is there any electrical hick-ups with engine/gearbox (semi-sequential problems?) swapping? Both cars are build in 1998.

Thanks in advance

Jans

[PrimeTimeSlime]

An automatic from an e36 will fit. I don't know about one from a 7 series. If you are putting in a 2.8l engine, just get one from an automatic 328. You will have to install the ecu for the transmission as well as the ecu for the engine. You will need a driveshaft from an automatic car as they are different lengths. You will also have to install hydraulic lines to an oil cooler installed next to the radiator, among other things. Google auto to manual swaps and just do the reverse.

I still can't understand why you would want to do that though. That automatic transmission makes the car really slow, and they don't have a very good reputation as far as durability is concerned. For the money involved, I would just get an automatic car if that is what you want.

[1996 328ti]

Will the driveshaft fit?

[Siebener]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Will the driveshaft fit?

That's my question indeed.

The automatic transmission from a e36 is an "old" stubby type of transmission. The E38 automatic is a big difference in my opinion and the gears are flowing much better.

And then the "slow" thing... a 2.8 with automatic (converted in a Ti) is just everything but slow??? A E36 coupé has a 0/100 km/h of 9sec with 1365kg, the compact automatic is standard 1290kg (75kg profit). Further, If I do it, I will take a M50 inlet for 30hp more power.

That will do the trick or am I to confident?

And If will take your advise to hold the manual gearbox: The clutch from a 320i/323i/325i is 224mm, the 328i is 240mm. Will the original clutch (224mm) do it or do I have to modify also the gearbox?

Many many thanx!

p.s. sorry for my bad English

[rochey6957]

different strokes for different folks

[slow_ti]

Be easier to just find an automatic Ti

[Siebener]

Originally Posted by slow_ti

Be easier to just find an automatic Ti

Yeah, that's the answer of my technical questions... come on..

It is a fact that I have already a donor E38 (former car) and bumped on a beauty of a 323Ti car. As I said: fully M3 loaded. In Holland you will see only 316/318Ti's with automatics and the standard exteriors/interiors. I will cost also money to turn a standard Ti into a M suit...

Jans

p.s. here some pics and decide If I am wrong that this is an unique object, no rust, perfect shape and still 13 years old.

[pdxmotorhead]

Just so you know, that car is unobtainable in the US, that's why your getting so many resistive responses. If I understand the bits you have its not a bolt in, You need the right engine ECU to match the sequential transmission, which I dont remember being available with your motor.

Good luck though,,, if you like the box.
I just spent over a year trying to find a manual transmission car so cant quite put the concept together... Just bought a 330XI Mtech 1 with 6 speed.

Dave

[lwebb12]

Man that's a nice ride. Have you had any success with the auto transmission swap?