Getrag 260 in the E3/Bav

[Ezz]

Hello Gents,

I have got a getrag 260/6 for my 71 bavaria originally automatic.
I know not many people here like it and for a good reason, but it is what I got and budget won’t allow a 265.

The car i got came with the only rear part of the drive shaft. No yoke slider thing either.
Is there a drive shaft that will work? Maybe from a 5 series with minimum modification?
thanks!

 

[bmw2800cs]

I'm not familiar with the 260 - why don't people like it?

 

[Mike Goble]

I'm not familiar with the 260 - why don't people like it?

It doesn't have the speedo drive gear capability.

 

[Ezz]

It doesn't have the speedo drive gear capability.

I won’t mind adapting that. I am sure I can do it and possibly for cheap too.
When i get to that, i will make a post on it.

 

[Mike Goble]

I won’t mind adapting that. I am sure I can do it and possibly for cheap too.
When i get to that, i will make a post on it.

I use a gps speedo. My other one works but I don't pay too much attention to it.

 

[Ezz]

Yep that works too. My idea was to have some fun with microcontrollers reading the speed sensor and do the necessary math for an acurate speed.
Maybe start with a digital display then a stepper motor that replaces the mechanical one in the instrument cluster… or something like that…
Not sure until I actually open up the cluster and have good look inside.

 

[bdigel]

Yep that works too. My idea was to have some fun with microcontrollers reading the speed sensor and do the necessary math for an acurate speed.
Maybe start with a digital display then a stepper motor that replaces the mechanical one in the instrument cluster… or something like that…
Not sure until I actually open up the cluster and have good look inside.

There are not any speed sensors in an E3 and there also isn't one in the 260 trans , the speed sensor for cars with 260 trans were in the diff

 

[Ezz]

It won’t be difficult to add one magnet and hall affect sensor. But you are right, the sensor is in the diff for the 260.

Anyways, the more important issue to me is the driveshaft and I am wondering if there is a drive shaft from an e12, e28 … that would fit with maybe center bearing mount modification

 

[bdigel]

most likely you will have to have a drive shaft modified to fit

 

[Mike Goble]

It won’t be difficult to add one magnet and hall affect sensor. But you are right, the sensor is in the diff for the 260.

Anyways, the more important issue to me is the driveshaft and I am wondering if there is a drive shaft from an e12, e28 … that would fit with maybe center bearing mount modification

I'll measure the difference between the transmissions when I get home next week. I use the d/s from a late 80's 535i E28 in my Bav with a 265 tranny.
Two advantages of swapping to an E28 rear axle are the speed sensor in the diff and the ease of finding an LSD.

 

[Ezz]

I appreciate it!
What modification needed for the e28 rear axle to bolt up to the bav?
Also, i have an e32 rear axle but i think it is a bit too big to bolt up to the bav

 

[mulberryworks]

most likely you will have to have a drive shaft modified to fit

I've read that modifying and updating the joints in an old driveshaft costs about as much as having a entirely new one built. YMMV.

 

[Mike Goble]

The E28 d/s bolts right in after you move the center bearing mounting points about 3-1/2". I used a couple short lengths of angle iron to accomplish this. Some links:

What did you do to your E3 today?

I think you got your money's worth :D

e9coupe.com

E28 driveshaft for my E3 with a 265 Getrag

I posted some pics yesterday comparing the driveshaft from a 5-speed E28 to the driveshaft currently in my E3 here: http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-e3-today.25126/page-2 I put it in early this morning and it was an easy process. I made a couple of adapting brackets...

e9coupe.com

 

[Bearmw]

I am dealing with the same issue and am trying to use a big guibo driveshaft from an 87 325 since it's what I have and found it to be a few inches short overall and the CSB slightly forward of the E3 location. I plan on trying to get the rear section lengthened. I made a trans support bracket (I may clean up the design later) and also a way to mount the shifter support bushing. Also need to lengthen and relocate the e-brake tubes and since I'm using the ST E3 sway bars and am in the process of modifying the subframe to accommodate it. I'm going to use a CableX box to convert the speed signal from the diff to the speedo.

 

[Baikallackierung]

There were some years (pre 85) when the M30 bell housing Getrag 260 transmissions were weak. Be aware of that issue and try to get a 1986+ unit if there is a problem.

 

[Ezz]

There were some years (pre 85) when the M30 bell housing Getrag 260 transmissions were weak. Be aware of that issue and try to get a 1986+ unit if there is a problem.

Mine is from an 88 e32
It is the 260/6

 

[Ezz]

I am dealing with the same issue and am trying to use a big guibo driveshaft from an 87 325 since it's what I have and found it to be a few inches short overall and the CSB slightly forward of the E3 location. I plan on trying to get the rear section lengthened. I made a trans support bracket (I may clean up the design later) and also a way to mount the shifter support bushing. Also need to lengthen and relocate the e-brake tubes and since I'm using the ST E3 sway bars and am in the process of modifying the subframe to accommodate it. I'm going to use a CableX box to convert the speed signal from the diff to the speedo.

Nice work so far.
What diff and rear axle are you using?

 

[Bearmw]

I went with 3.64 Torsen out of a Z3 2.5L A/T and the axles are from an E24. I also used a 533i single mass flywheel (around 15 lbs.).

 

[Bert Poliakoff]

I appreciate it!
What modification needed for the e28 rear axle to bolt up to the bav?
Also, i have an e32 rear axle but i think it is a bit too big to bolt up to the bav

most likely you will have to have a drive shaft modified to fit

If you can't get it right, go to Dick's Driveshafts in PHX

 

[Mike Goble]

An E28 rear axle will bolt right in on the stock mounting points if you use an early 80's diff cover with the centered mounting point. You will need to massage the brake lines to line up with the new brakes. You can use the E28 e-brake cables by extending the solid outer sheath by about 9". I used some 12mm tubing from a BMW automatic tranny cooling system and some coupling bolts to accomplish this