Possible to change an Auto to a Manual?

[Pink_Floyd]

I've got a '92 325i with an automatic transmission. I love the car but I really do wish it was a 5-speed manual. I got a REALLY low price on the car since I bought it from my aunt so I decided to take it even though it was an auto. I do not want to get a new bmw, even though this would be the more practical thing to do. I have put a lot of work into this car and I would like to keep it. Plus, I have about $3,500 to work with, and that isn't going to buy me a new car.

I'm serious about doing this but I have no idea where to start. I dont know what the best way to go about this would be. I could see either getting a rebuilt manual trans and all the parts that go with it and doing the conversion or buying a wrecked M3 and taking the parts out of a doner car.

I'm assuming that this would be too complicated for me to do myself. I'm pretty confident that I could do just about anything besides fabricating new parts, provided I have an unlimited ammount of time, which I do. However, this seems like I might need some custom metal work done, in which case I would have to take it to some sort of shop.

Please help me out with this as I am totally at a loss as to where I should start.

Thank you!

 

[MrElussive]

Oh man, there is this one guy on bimmerforums.com who did a manual trans conversion on his 750i, I will find out who did it from as I believe the company does conversions for other cars as well.

 

[ooo000HITMAN000ooo]

Isnt it just a new trans.

 

[xLibelle]

Isnt it just a new trans.

dear god no.
im gathering all the parts right now.
flywheel, clutch kit, shift kit, tranny, tranny mounts, tranny support, drive shaft, tubing from brake resivoir, main and slave cylinders, might as well get new flex disk.....
what else am i forgetting.

i have calculated i will spend ~$865. labor done on my own. found my tranny with slave and shift kit for $250. most expansive part will be flywheel.

wasnt going to say anything because i dont know what info you are looking for, other than to start collecting parts. research is a b!tch, oh, finding cheap parts too. buying them is easy. executing the installation is the fun part. until you realize you dont have all the stuff.

 

[ooo000HITMAN000ooo]

LOL should of just got what you wanted from the begining

 

[Pink_Floyd]

dear god no.
im gathering all the parts right now.
flywheel, clutch kit, shift kit, tranny, tranny mounts, tranny support, drive shaft, tubing from brake resivoir, main and slave cylinders, might as well get new flex disk.....
what else am i forgetting.

i have calculated i will spend ~$865. labor done on my own. found my tranny with slave and shift kit for $250. most expansive part will be flywheel.

wasnt going to say anything because i dont know what info you are looking for, other than to start collecting parts. research is a b!tch, oh, finding cheap parts too. buying them is easy. executing the installation is the fun part. until you realize you dont have all the stuff.

So I gather this can be done as long as you're willing to put in all the time and effort. Are there any differences between the chasis of the manual and automatic e36? Do you know if you have to drill any new holes or somehow create new space for the new parts. Or is there already room to bolt on the manual trans once the new one is out?

BTW: Would you suggest buying all these parts seperatly or getting a wrecked doner car?

 

[Pink_Floyd]

LOL should of just got what you wanted from the begining

I already explained why I did not. Either way I'd still rather have an auto 325 than a mazda

 

[ooo000HITMAN000ooo]

I would rather have my mazda.

Oh heres the funny part my tahoe was faster !!!! and my mazda is about the same as your 325

 

[mikev]

I would rather have my mazda.

Oh heres the funny part my tahoe was faster !!!! and my mazda is about the same as your 325

The Mazda6 2.3 sport (euro edition at least, and the fastest one!) does 0-60Mph in 9 secs don't see how thats faster than a 325i even the auto.

But why am i standing up for pinky I'd rape both of you in a race.

 

[xLibelle]

mr floyd, best way would be to find a doner car with low milage. i, for one have had one hell of a time finding one. they are all 325's.

just find the same model car as yours and you should be set. i dont know all the e36 specs and such, but all the stuff i listed is common to these cars.

 

[Ben]

but i think there are some parts that you would want to buy new, such as a clutch kit for one and quite alot of other stuff. correct me if im wrong............

 

[QuickCivicGuy]

Just drop an M3 motor and drivetrain, ecu in and call it a day

Cheap : Fast : Relaible

Pick 2

 

[ooo000HITMAN000ooo]

The Mazda6 2.3 sport (euro edition at least, and the fastest one!) does 0-60Mph in 9 secs don't see how thats faster than a 325i even the auto.

But why am i standing up for pinky I'd rape both of you in a race.

HMM I know my car is in the low 8's at least.....Must be the euro edition they are dif.