Is this a good donor car for 5-speed?

sreams

sreams

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Since it looks like I cannot use my 3HP-22 automatic with my M30B35 (bolt holes don't line up), I'm now seriously considering swapping in a 5-speed. From what I've read on this forum, a '79, '80, or '81 528i is a good donor car. I've located a 1981 528i that was kept in very good shape, but was rolled on its side. I can get the whole car for $600.

Is this an ideal donor car? Besides the transmission w/bellhousing, speedo drive, and clutch slave cylinder, are there any other parts I can transplant? What should I do about transmission crossmember, pedals, clutch master cylinder, driveshaft, etc? Thanks for any help. I'm looking through other posts on this forum to make sure I get this right.

-Scott
 
good choice donor but pay about half as much (I paid 350). You will also need the brake/clutch fluid reservoir and the pipe to the slave cylinder. IIRC the trans crossmember from the auto trans may fit. Pedals from a Bavaria or manual CS. The CS auto trans drive shaft will fit if you "stretch" it about an inch at the center joint. E28 dshaft is no go. Clutch master from the E28 donor, but disassemble and clean prior to installing.

Carl Nelson's manual transmission transplant article, though written a dog's years ago for a Bavaria, is the "go-to" for this work.

You need to reference the wiring diagram to understand and remove the neutral safety relay and get the starting circuit proper. Anyone who contemplates doing the work them selves should be able to do this.
 
matthewp said:
if it is an e28 don't forget the motors from the rear windows, if it's an e12 you will get the separate bell housing and the speedo drive. have fun
Click to expand...

I already have four of these motors installed in the car. They work beautifully.

-Scott
 
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