E9 transmission swap

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Rangertom50

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I need a shifter and shifter platform. I'm swapping a 5 speed transmission in to my automatic E9. Would appreciate any kind of help from here. Thanks


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sent some picks

Tom, i emailed you pics, I think the driveshaft should be 59 inches +- Hopefully someone here or on the sites mentioned below will have a complete shifter platform. Also there is a rubber bootie that goes around the shift stick to keep noise and muck from entering the console area (I used a CV joint boot) but the correct piece should be available somewhere. I trust you have a new or usable foam block that sits atop the shifter as well. last thing not mentioned is the rear support for the shifter. I have pictures if you need them, easy to make.

Good luck on the hunt-
 
Peter Coomaraswamy said:
Tom, i emailed you pics, I think the driveshaft should be 59 inches +- Hopefully someone here or on the sites mentioned below will have a complete shifter platform. Also there is a rubber bootie that goes around the shift stick to keep noise and muck from entering the console area (I used a CV joint boot) but the correct piece should be available somewhere. I trust you have a new or usable foam block that sits atop the shifter as well. last thing not mentioned is the rear support for the shifter. I have pictures if you need them, easy to make.



Good luck on the hunt-
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Thanks Pete. I'll let you know how it goes


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I seem to recall Metric Mechanic offered an aftermarket shift assembly, I know they had the short shift kit. Let us know, you may have to call and ask.

I have a 265 if you need one.
 
Yes Metric Mechanic offered a short shifter on their 5 speed conversions - at least in '93 when the conversion and engine upgrade was done in the car I now own. Very clean shifting in this '74.
 
auto to 5-sp....

hi, just curious how it goes for you. just had mine done at north bay bavarian and was pretty blown away by the final cost, over 5k in parts alone. also the shifter hits the console going into reverse, used a z3 short shift i believe. worth it as the car is transformed, but close to $10k in the end. was led to believe it was going to be closer to $3500, and guessed over 5k, but like everything else these days it doubled!
 
You got ripped off plain and simple. The actual work to do the job o a hoist is no more than 2 hours time, maybe 3. Especially for someone who supposedly knows what they are doing. You paid the rent and salaries there for a month.
 
CS Specialist said:
You got ripped off plain and simple. The actual work to do the job o a hoist is no more than 2 hours time, maybe 3. Especially for someone who supposedly knows what they are doing. You paid the rent and salaries there for a month.
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For sure. I would be seeking a lawyer. That's not honest at all.
 
CS Specialist said:
You got ripped off plain and simple. The actual work to do the job o a hoist is no more than 2 hours time, maybe 3. Especially for someone who supposedly knows what they are doing. You paid the rent and salaries there for a month.
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2-3 hours really? That seems quite aggressive to me. That includes pulling the transmission and driveshaft, replacing the clutch, installing a transmission, installing the driveshaft, bleeding the slave, etc? I haven't paid for a clutch job in 20 years, but I think it was at least $600 way back then.
 
North bay Bavarian

studio128 said:
hi, just curious how it goes for you. just had mine done at north bay bavarian and was pretty blown away by the final cost, over 5k in parts alone. also the shifter hits the console going into reverse, used a z3 short shift i believe. worth it as the car is transformed, but close to $10k in the end. was led to believe it was going to be closer to $3500, and guessed over 5k, but like everything else these days it doubled!
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You might ask golfbavaria for some input, sounds like he uses the same shop.
 
I would run it through the California BAR to see what they say. Your shop might come back with a story about customization or book time nonsense. How many hours time did they itemize on the final bill? With a hoist the job is so incredibly easy to do. I've done mine lying under a car on jacks in my garage which is not optimal. That could easily be a 5 hour job with all the parts ready to go.
 
restart said:
You might ask golfbavaria for some input, sounds like he uses the same shop.
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That does seem a bit on the high side. Rick normally does great work so if your shifter hits console going into reverse, take it back and have him fix it. I know his shop prices aren't the cheapest out there. But it's because he backs up his work and this is unusual to hear such a complaint and not making it right. I have not taken my car to him in years but still keep in touch. I usually have no problem recommending him.

Take it back to him and see what he says, I'd be shocked if he doesn't make it right. How many man/hours did he charge? Labor is right there on the bill. Can you photocopy for us to check it out? Delete any CC info or personal info of course. It's never a good feeling when you feel like your got "ripped off" and especially if it's not quite right. Keep us posted maybe start another thread so this doesn't get hi-jacked. He knows full well that word spreads like wildfire when someone is unhappy with the work or service. Keep us posted, sorry you had that experience.
 
Without revealing your situation call LaJolla Independent, H&B BMW and Mini Cooper; Coast Motorwerk, and Coupe King to see what they charge for a complete conversion. This will help put things in to perspective and also give you ammunition.
 
As a bit of commentary.....

I do a lot of those auto to 5 speed conversions.

Don't really care for them- a true pain in the butt.
Really messy.

Takes hours and hours of work to do a pro job with quality parts.
Shift console changeover -
Auto shifter delete
Auto plumbing delete
Wiring
Driveshaft cut/new ujoints/balance
Tranny
Shift platform
Knuckle
Guibo
Center bearing
Fresh hardware
Flywheel
Clutch kit with throw out bearing
Pilot bearing
Bellhousing

The list goes on.....
And on...
Oh- shifter light delete ..
Oh- tranny support-NLA..
Takes days of work of prep, install and tossing junk.
 
Well I did my 5-speed conversion in two stages, the first part in 2005 and the second part yesterday. I was ecstatic in 2005 with the improvement from automatic to 5-speed, I am ecstatic today with a second transmission that is much better than the first one.

The first transmission drove fine but among other install problems it had too much play/travel in the gear shifter, I never knew that was not the "coupe normal" until today. Don talked me out of offering the old tranny to anybody even with full disclosure. Don is a perfectionist I guess.

The lessons to be learned are less important than the fact the car is one step closer to perfection.
 
Heck I only did a 4 to 5 speed conversion and that was a lot of work :razz:

Spending time getting the shift linkage correct will payoff with satisfaction on every shift.

140mm UUC dogbone (per Don) and lower half of shift lever from 320i with bronze bushings instead of crappy plastic ones is what I used and it is crisp with no rubbing.
 
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Stevehose said:
Heck I only did a 4 to 5 speed conversion and that was a lot of work :razz:

Spending time getting the shift linkage correct will payoff with satisfaction on every shift.

140mm UUC dogbone (per Don) and lower half of shift lever from 320i with bronze bushings instead of crappy plastic ones is what I used and it is crisp with no rubbing.
Click to expand...

Agree. Don identified the play as internal to the transmission though, so not much chance to repair. Between the clutch slipping and the play I was enjoying more driving the Fulvia lately... This changes things.
 
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