E46 M3 Gbox Vs E39 530d Gbox ?? {For JZ conversion}

Thread in 'Technical Questions' started by dale_b, Feb 10, 2014.

  1. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    Yo dudes,

    I'm looking into ABCclutch conversions to use either E46 M3 box or E39 530 diesel box..

    The dudes at ABC have said the E39 is the stronger box and it shifts nicer due to being Duel Syncro'd.

    Anyone got any input on this as iv never driver either M3 or 530d..

    Im looking for the box that will go from one gear to the next quickest..

    Many thanks
    Dale
     
  2. alan opel

    alan opel Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2007
    Posts:
    387
    Likes Received:
    0
    have no experience with the 530d box really but i no the e46 6 speed is the same as e36 m3 3vo e39 m5 and 540 box, just bellhousing is differentput shaft, i would have thaut that getrag box would b stronger than the 530d box
     
  3. Mike@TDSW

    Mike@TDSW Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    Posts:
    8,262
    Likes Received:
    1
    See I'm not so sure. Even though I've never had a problem with any of the 6 speeds I've had (2x540 1x46 m3) I think they're a bit clunky and notchy.
    There's a reason a lot of e36 evo track cars have the older 5sp fitted instead and it's not just the obvious cost savings for replacements.

    However I've not tried the 6sp in a modern 530d or the like yet.
     
  4. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    I'm going to get a 530d box.. The ABCclutch kit allows for both to fit so I'll just change to the 6spd if I don't like it.
     
  5. jon07043278

    jon07043278 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2010
    Posts:
    1,884
    Likes Received:
    43
    The E36 328i and m3 3.0 zf box are meant to be stronger than both :)
     
  6. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    But, they don't fit the same I don't think? And I'm sure iv read that the 530d/330d box is rated to 1650nm? Not that I'm going to be anywhere near that..lol
     
  7. PhilMorrison

    PhilMorrison Driftworks Owner
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2004
    Posts:
    11,441
    Likes Received:
    80
    I think we bought a 530d box before we decided to go for the 6 speed. I'll check if we still have it.
     
  8. jon07043278

    jon07043278 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2010
    Posts:
    1,884
    Likes Received:
    43
    Damn, that's a lot of torque lol
     
  9. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    Got a bargin box off eBay for £75.. It's an e46 330d 5spd box.. Anyone know what ratios these are?
     
  10. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    What you saying about that 530d box Phil? Do you have any of the shifter bits and spare prop too?
    Iv got 1 box but no shifter stuff, wouldn't mind a spare box though:thumbs:
     
  11. Bolf

    Bolf Resident Nut Job.

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2005
    Posts:
    7,682
    Likes Received:
    30
    I know that 5th is a 1:1 , and the original final drive on a 330d is 2.28!!!!
     
  12. sulik

    sulik Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2009
    Posts:
    362
    Likes Received:
    0
    A friend told me that he is working on the conversion with the ebay plate.
    He has fabricated a metal sleeve that slips over the OEM gearbox input shaft.
    It´s now longer and slips into the pilot bearing.
    Hope to get any pics soon. :)
     
  13. Terror Factor

    Terror Factor Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2012
    Posts:
    196
    Likes Received:
    1
    Defo interested in this!
     
  14. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    Sounds discusting...


    Now this is what I'm talkin about..

    [​IMG]
     
    #14 dale_b, Feb 22, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2014
  15. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    Hmm.. This could proove a real issue.. I think my current ratio is 3.78 or 4.11(I don't know without counting it)
     
    #15 dale_b, Feb 22, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2014
  16. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    Just looked up the ratios for the 330/530d box, and the M3 box... I need an M3 box...


    M3 Coupe E46 Coupe manual
    1st 4.23
    2nd 2.53
    3rd 1.67
    4th 1.23
    5th 1.00
    6th 0.83

    Final Drive 3.62


    330/530d
    1st 5.240
    2nd 2.920
    3rd 1.820
    4th 1.270
    5th 1.000

    Final Drive: 2.350



    I might be able to make the crown & pinion from a soarer uzz30 fit, which i think is lower than my current diff.. I'll get an M3 bix and see how it feels on my diff before I start changing things..
     
    #16 dale_b, Feb 22, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2014
  17. Ruishy1

    Ruishy1 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    Posts:
    3,739
    Likes Received:
    0
    Not everyone wants to spend 2k on an adapter plate, flywheel and clutch though.
    If the sleeve idea works then it gives people the option of doing it cheaper
     
  18. dale_b

    dale_b #DriftFactory

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Posts:
    5,827
    Likes Received:
    2
    Those eBay adaptor plates arnt just shit because the input shaft is to short..
    The other thing is that you don't have many bolts holding gearbox to engine.. The bolts that you do have are countersunk heads, they are not a patch on the original 17mm headed bolts.. Sod putting 500hp through a handful of shit sized bolts..
    Also, the starter motor doesn't work very well, binds up..
    You also have to either cut the top of the plate off, or completely remake the water jacket Pipework..
    You don't have ANY dowls, the Toyota box and the BMW have dowls to make the box possision spot on.. The eBay plate isn't precise enough so you have to machine material off the plate to fit ov the Toyota dowls.. So it's not accurate enough. Then you have to machine some material off the dowl because the plate is only 5mm thick and the dowl pertrudes further. The plate has no holes to accept the BMW dowls.
    I think the pcd of the flywheel bolts is everso slightly different too so you have to drill them out bigger, which means the bolt head is not going to be seated in the centre of the hole correctly.
    The whole conversion is just an absolute joke.. I keep the plate on the wall in my workshop to remind me just how bad it is and to show people that come asking me to fit a bm box with that plate..

    But if you want to work through all that lot to make it fit, then go ahead my friend.

    I think what people are overlooking with the ABC kit is that you get a brand new 7" Tilton Twin Plate clutch, that's where most the cost is. If you don't want to spend that sort of money, buy an r154 setup for £1500~ or a w58 for £800~..
    I'm not in the busniess of lashing stuff to save a few quid.. I'd rather use a quality bit of kit than skimp on something as important as the transmission.
    Don't get me wrong, I don't have money to burn, for example, I have the cheapest Tims gauges I could buy in my car, but that's not going to fall off and potentially come through the floor like a gearbox will if it's lashed on...
     
    #18 dale_b, Feb 22, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2014
  19. looneydrift

    looneydrift New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2009
    Posts:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Some really great info in this tread looks like I may look into the abc stuff
     
  20. Clive

    Clive Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2009
    Posts:
    5,635
    Likes Received:
    1
    So for 2.5k you can get a complete set up and m3 box onto a JZ with a twin plate clutch

    And people are saying this is loads? Really... Go look at a v160 box price Pmsl!
     

Share This Page