5 Speed conversion

[HB Chris]

I never knew the flex coupling/guibo was involved in the balancing.

 

[rsporsche]

if you are installing a 5 speed, i would recommend using the Coupeking tranny bracket. expensive but it is much better than the 5 series bracket

E9 5-speed Conversion Mount Kit – Coupeking – BMW Restoration Parts, Manuals, and Used Parts

 

[Markos]

I never knew the flex coupling/guibo was involved in the balancing.

If I had to guess, it is that they don't have a good way to mount the guibo end to the balancer. I have never watched the process, but they probably have a flange made up for all of the common ujoint sizes.

@pickman,

If you can source a spare transmission output shaft, then they could bolt that to the guibo and insert into the balancer. Go ahead and ask them if they are equipped to accept a shaft on the balncer. I presume that they are like a lathe and can accept all different types of ends. On my jeep, the factory drivehsaft had no slip joint. Instead, the yoke slipped into the t-case and could slip in and out as the suspension articulates. To balance a driveshaft like that, you can stick the yoke into the balancer and bolt the DS to the yoke. Many other driveshafts (including BMW) have a fixed yoke. The shop likely has all of these yokes on hand, but nothing for a BMW.

 

[Markos]

Hi @pickman,

I checked with Oceanside Driveline who did my 5spd driveshaft. The technician said that they build a flange to bolt the shaft right up to the balancer without using the guibo. He said that there aren't many shops on the west coast that will do BMW driveshafts. My vote is to find an output shaft if you can, otherwise perhaps you can have a driveshaft made and shipped to you. The tech at Oceanside said they do a lot of custom BMW driveshaft's, including LS swapped E30's used for drifting, etc.

Oceanside Driveline | Oceanside CA

Oceanside Driveline, Oceanside. 595 likes · 34 were here. Specialized auto repair shop for drivelines and differentials. All automobiles, BMWs, trucks, jeeps and hot rods.

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[Stevehose]

I suggest buying a new, shortened, balanced dirve shaft ready to go.

Currently in process of installing the 5 seed. Carl Nelson's article is detailed and good advice. The biggest issue is balancing the shorter drive shaft very few drive line shops (near where I live) can balance the shafts using the flex coupling. Actually pretty straight forward conversion.

 

[pickman]

Found an old DS that was still in OK condition and sent to Oceanside, they shortened it, rebuilt the entire shaft cleaned and painted and balanced it. My kit is ready to install. Oceanside did a nice job.

 

[Markos]

Found an old DS that was still in OK condition and sent to Oceanside, they shortened it, rebuilt the entire shaft cleaned and painted and balanced it. My kit is ready to install. Oceanside did a nice job.

Wow that was quick!

 

[rsporsche]

thanks guys, i have added Oceanside to the best sources list in the FAQ