e36 m3 smg gearbox change????

[m3bobski]

hi, not been on here long, but owned many bmw,s mainly e30 325i sports and an e36 325i coupe. i have recently purchased a '99 e36 m3 evo smg (in dakar yellow and silver leather), after many months of trying to find a mint one with fsh and few owners. after test driving it i fell in love with it and loved the smg. now i hate it, but rather than selling the car again i,m thinking of swapping the box to a manual, me and my father own a mechanics garage so tools arent a problem or workforce just wandaring if any one knew wether its a big job or worth it in long run as it took me so long to find this car? i dont want to sell it unless i have to as i,m only 22 its too much hassle to keep advertising it and may lose a lot of money.

any info would be great thanks

[m3john]

I spoke to www.fabdirect.com at the end of last year as i had problems with my SMG unit and they informed me that the gearboxes are actually the same, aperently the SMG `box only lacks the centralizing spring to return it to nutral. Give them a call, they'll be more than willing to advise you and let us all know how you get on please.


Hope this is of any help.

M3John.

[m3bobski]

hi cheers yeah gave them a ring and the chap hadnt got a clue what i was on about just gave me the price of a 3.0 5speed box and evo sequential box because he said bmw didnt do a 6speed manual on m3 evo,s (ha ha). and didn know how hard or easy it would be to swap. i,ll keep looking around thanks and let you know of any progress.

[mpwr321bhp]

when i looked at adding an smg unit to a 6 speed maual box I spoke to bmw, though ive been told they used the same box, they said it wasnt that simple as there were differences. so let us know how you go on.

;0)

[mpwr321bhp]

Just found this image of the gearbox and how the hydrolics link to it.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imghttp://www.turbo.screaming.net/smg.htm&am">www.turbo.screaming.net/m3/smg2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.turbo.screaming.net/smg.htm&am

would assume this is not the same as a manual, but who knows? its all good fun

[m3bobski]

hi yeah i,ve found out from bexley motor works its the same box as a manual with the smg unit bolted on the back so they said mechanically its pretty simple to just remove the unit and hydraulics and add the few neccessary parts from a manual eg linkages pedal box etc, but they not sure wether the wiring loom would need replacing or maybe just the DME reprogramming, so trying to look into that now. i,m determined to get it done though!!!!!

[mpwr321bhp]

Good luck, did they elaborate on what bits you needed? and do they work out cheaper than a second hand gearbox.

[rassi]

Unless you intend to keep your M3 SMG (once converted into a manual), I honestly think you would be better off selling it and getting a manual M3. Appreciate you have been looking a long to find your current one, but think you are in for a lot of hassle and expense when you could simply trade it on for a manual.

[mpwr321bhp]

the thought is that the smgs are fetching peanuts. and if it could be converted cheaply, it would be worth it. Ive seen 2500 differnces in prices. Also if the smg unit dies its between 1500 nad 3000 to fix, so throwing a manual in may work out cheaper?

[m3jappa]

check on www.e36coupe.com or post if need be.im sure someone was looking at doing this and the concensus was that it was near impossible.i cant remember exact reasons.the other problem i can see is insuring it and selling it,as it will always be down as a auto

[m3bobski]

the m3 smg isnt down as an auto on the log book or insurance do not ask as its a semi manual not auto. been speaking to a auto electrician who,s sh*t hot and he doesnt think its that difficult to do. i,ve found two for sale with the swap done so going to give them a ring. it is the same gearbox as a manual aswell according to bmw just with smg unit in place. hence why they still have clutches and slave cylinders.

[m3bobski]

right after doing numerous accounts of research and foning around etc, basically clutch, slave cylinder and gear box all same as manual m3 evo, all need to do is disengage all solenoids hoses etc from smg unit to gear box buy a normal 6 speed gearbox linkage and stick which will work fine with the pedal box that you have to put in. apparently the electrics side of things is all ok to just disconnect from the gearstick but make sure its in neutral this is so you can still start the car, (which is good as it now acts as an immobiliser when starting if you dont know how start an smg). the only thing is now the display on dash wouldnt say what gear your in as its a manual, but a good auto electrician could probably fit some non smg clocks ok and wire up oil pressure gauge.
i,m gonna check on this info but 3 people have said the same, 2 from bmw and one from a gearbox/clutch company so i,ll be attempting this when i return from the isle of man end of next week.
watch this space!!!

[mpwr321bhp]

good luck, it will be interesting to see how much hassle it is, and what cost comes with the extra bits you need to buy.

[m3john]

mpwr321bhp said:

good luck, it will be interesting to see how much hassle it is, and what cost comes with the extra bits you need to buy.

let us know how you get on.

[super2nd]

Just the Question i wanted 2no,i would appriate it very much to b keep informed on how u get on swopped Gearboxs,I also have a 1998 M3 Evo wit Smg Gearbox,Want 2rip it out&replace with Normal 6speed,I was quoted in round £1000 2do it boy z he'd have 2look at it in detail then he could get me 100%price,

Please keep me informed as much as possible&if u have any Drawbacks inform me2 Thank You

I look at it is if u rip Clutch outta car sum nite it'l take at least £1,000 2fix in Bmw as car has2b al reprogrammed on computer after Hydraulic Pipes read out,better just convert for same money&no more problems clutch for normal m3 Evo is £186 sum savin.

I have talken 2machanic at BMW he said the Same smg gearbox is Manuel not Automatic it Manuel with Hydraulic change just.

Wood u need Brain as wel as Gearbox????????Thanks for anyhelp

[super2nd]

Any more word on the smg conversion,Had a friend look at mine he wrecken's that u can use ur SMG gearbox the same just wit the smg unit attacked,he z he'd needa luk in2it wit more detail as alot of sensors.

He also z by the luks of it the clutch&fly wheel,slave cyclinder was al there u'd just need a certain pipe&clutch pedal just 2convert it 2normal 6speed

[RobbieM-Evo]

super2nd said:

Any more word on the smg conversion,Had a friend look at mine he wrecken's that u can use ur SMG gearbox the same just wit the smg unit attacked,he z he'd needa luk in2it wit more detail as alot of sensors.

He also z by the luks of it the clutch&fly wheel,slave cyclinder was al there u'd just need a certain pipe&clutch pedal just 2convert it 2normal 6speed

"Amazing" use of words and letters

[super2nd]

RobbieM-Evo said:

super2nd said:

Any more word on the smg conversion,Had a friend look at mine he wrecken's that u can use ur SMG gearbox the same just wit the smg unit attacked,he z he'd needa luk in2it wit more detail as alot of sensors.

He also z by the luks of it the clutch&fly wheel,slave cyclinder was al there u'd just need a certain pipe&clutch pedal just 2convert it 2normal 6speed

"Amazing" use of words and letters

And what is the problem with "Words and letters"???do you not understand?????????

[RobbieM-Evo]

super2nd said:

RobbieM-Evo said:

super2nd said:

Any more word on the smg conversion,Had a friend look at mine he wrecken's that u can use ur SMG gearbox the same just wit the smg unit attacked,he z he'd needa luk in2it wit more detail as alot of sensors.

He also z by the luks of it the clutch&fly wheel,slave cyclinder was al there u'd just need a certain pipe&clutch pedal just 2convert it 2normal 6speed

"Amazing" use of words and letters

And what is the problem with "Words and letters"???do you not understand?????????

Only just

[m3bobski]

Hi only been back couple of days from racing decided to stay over there a bit, na havent had chance yet but some more info i gathered is that yeah definately same gearbox as normal 6 speed but needs the centre spring components which return the gearstick in neutral (to the centre) otherwise its sloppy and falls anywhere. easy job! i,ve just gotta find funds and time now!