1976 e3-3.0si Transmission help ?

70sRescueGuy

70sRescueGuy

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Friendly hello everyone..sincerely hope everyones Projects are progressing positively….and wish i could say the same (wink / smile)…my fjord 76e3-3.0si suddenly has automatic transmission issues, only goes backwards. It has original ZF 3HP-22 and just under 100k miles. Even in my Westchester County NY / Hudson Valley areas there are several rather good vintage bmw/german shops BUT none really deal with Transmission fixing / rebuilding…So, do i still consider rebuilding it at some out of state (northeast ?) shop OR do i instead now consider a Transmission swap (4sp/5sp) instead of my current 3sp Automatic having issues ? Any feedback is appreciated…thomas
 

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I think that part of your answer comes down to cost and how much you want to take on. Cheapest is just replacing your current automatic, either by rebuilding or just finding another used auto transmission. The swap becomes more expensive because of all of the necessary parts and that's before any labor costs. If you've been satisfied with the auto and just want to get the car running again, then I'd say option 1. Realize that with option 2 of transmission swap, inevitably you will fall into the trap that many of us do, wherein while you are already taking a bunch of stuff apart you might as well do...
That trap can be avoided by having a shop do the transmission rebuild and/or replace the auto with another auto. While most shops are going to tell you if something obvious needs to be replaced, they aren't going to do things like suggest that since you have the transmission out which necessitated taking off the exhaust, maybe now is when you want to think about replacing the exhaust, for example.
 
e9Leveque said:
I think that part of your answer comes down to cost and how much you want to take on. Cheapest is just replacing your current automatic, either by rebuilding or just finding another used auto transmission. The swap becomes more expensive because of all of the necessary parts and that's before any labor costs. If you've been satisfied with the auto and just want to get the car running again, then I'd say option 1. Realize that with option 2 of transmission swap, inevitably you will fall into the trap that many of us do, wherein while you are already taking a bunch of stuff apart you might as well do...
That trap can be avoided by having a shop do the transmission rebuild and/or replace the auto with another auto. While most shops are going to tell you if something obvious needs to be replaced, they aren't going to do things like suggest that since you have the transmission out which necessitated taking off the exhaust, maybe now is when you want to think about replacing the exhaust, for example.
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Oh wow sincere thank you e9Leveque for your detailed , valuable feedback as i continue to be educated with all this. I did just speak to a well-known Transmission shop in CT since 80s who, in part, suggested either rebuild current ZF or maybe a 4sp automatic. I fully realize this is NOT an e9 or even more valuable vintage bmw than this e3-3.0si…I am willing to spend a few extra bucks but not crazy money..everything relative…if i do not somehow find a Rebuilder shop, and then consider 4sp automatic, does this mean maybe a 70s/80s bmw automatic (2002, e21, e24, e30, etc)…..and here i thought vintage bmws would last forever and give owners a stressless status and nothing short of pure drivability joy (wink & smile). Thnx e9Leveque……thomas in ny
 
Others are going to be much more knowledgeable than me about which other transmissions would be an option. Main thing would be to find a shop that knows what they are doing. While I suspect that some newer transmissions are simple replacement, even something as "simple" as the 4-speed to 5-speed that many of us do still has a pile of additional parts that go along with it. I would get a part number off of your current transmission and then do an online search to see if you can find one off of Facebook marketplace or Craigslist for cheap, ideally from a vehicle with some known history. Buy it, bring it to shop and say "swap like for like". A few bolts and it should be done.
 
HB Chris said:
All 3.0 Bav/3.0Si use the Borg Warner box, I looked in the parts book.
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Oh…i think the BorgWarner were used on much earlier 3.0 Bav/3.0si models…NOT the 75/76 years…..my 76e3-3.0si has the ZF 3hp22 transm……there is a well-known shop in CT that is also on BaT that maybe can find the Parts needed to fix mine OR suggest alternative options…currently on fence what to do and just asking on this e9 site…sincere thnx for feedback….thomas
 
70sRescueGuy said:
Oh…i think the BorgWarner were used on much earlier 3.0 Bav/3.0si models…NOT the 75/76 years…..my 76e3-3.0si has the ZF 3hp22 transm……there is a well-known shop in CT that is also on BaT that maybe can find the Parts needed to fix mine OR suggest alternative options…currently on fence what to do and just asking on this e9 site…sincere thnx for feedback….thomas
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ZF was the early transmission then BMW went to the BW around the same time they changed in the e9 in March 1972. The Orange Parts Book is not wrong, maybe yours was swapped.
 
I have a rebuilt zf 3hp out of my E9. It's been removed and with SC Don. Has 7,000 miles since rebuild. You are welcome to have it for free if you would like it.
 
Fluid first IMO. Check type. BW uses Type F. When I first purchased my 72 Bav, transmission was slipping and going nowhere, swapping to correct fluid, them a few hundred miles, then swapping fluid again and all is well.
 
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