Help with 325ix 5-speed swap?

[applecran]

Hey Guys

Well, I was planning on doing a 5 speed swap into my 325ix in the spring. I just sourced the ix transmission and transfer case and it arrived vie Tedski (thanks Ted!) on Saturday.

Sunday my current auto goes into limp mode, then again today. Ecu has codes for the torque converter going out.

I was not planning on doing this over the winter, but now I have no choice.

I've got quotes from a few shops around town, and it looks like 1400-1500 is the labour, that pretty much doubles the price of this swap for me and with two little kids and my wife not working (home with the kids) i'm not sure I can afford this, but I can't afford to not have the car.

So, does anyone want to get dirty?

If anyone who has done this type of work before (not necessarily on an ix) has time and is willing to come to my place and help me get this done over a weekend, i'm sure that there will be plenty of beer, food, whatever around.

I have 98% of the tools to get this done, including some air tools, jacks, stands etc. My garage is enclosed and covered but not heated, although I can bring heaters in.

Hoping I can save myself the labour as I just can't afford it right now.

Let me know. I'm thinking October 18th and 19th. I'm out of town this weekend and then again two weeks from then for work.

Did I mention i have about 40 liters of beer in my garage right now....

Cheers
Adam

Sorry, actually the dates would be November 1/2. Kid's second birthday party the 19th.

[E30M20B25]

Good Evening Adam!

I would be more than happy to help!

I have a bunch of tools and a little portable heater. I don't know all the ins and outs about doing this job, but it should be a fun challenge!

[tedski]

Adam:

Sorry to hear the auto tranny is giving you trouble, at least you got the 5-sp ready for swap and believe me, you will be much happier.

Are you putting new clutch parts?

Ted

[Eugene]

I'm game, just let me know the dates buddy!

Oh, I forgot to mention if you have all the relevant parts ?

MINOR:

shifter, in/output tranny seals
rear main seal
new short shifter bushings,
exhaust gaskets
flywheel and housing bolts
redline tranny fluid, brake fluid
reverse light switch

MAJOR:

CSB
guibo + bolts
pedal assembly
shifter, shifter boot and knob, and linkage
slave and master cylinder and all associated lines (hard and soft)
brake light switch, neutral safety switch
clutch and flywheel (resurfaced and lightened)
crossmember
exhaust and tranny mounts

It is first thing in the morning so I might have missed a thing or 2, but some parts on the list are the kind that 'I should do while I'm in there'. You've got a PM.

[320Colin]

I'm not a BMW mechanic but I am a mechanic, if your not overstaffed already I'm in too

[applecran]

Wow. Thanks guys! I did not realize I'd get so much response! This is great.

I'll have all the parts needed to do the swap. I'm most likely getting a kit from theeurodepot.com as it comes with everything needed. New clutch, hydrolics, seals; used linkage, pedals etc. I'll have it all here by end of next week.

I'm just going with stock parts, was not going to due a lightened flywheel, but maybe....

I'm guessing 4 of us may be overkill, but if you guys want you can all come just to see how it's done.

Thanks again!

[G-rex]

Originally Posted by applecran I'm guessing 4 of us may be overkill, but if you guys want you can all come just to see how it's done. Thanks again!

Sweet

[applecran]

All parts ordered.

I called www.theeurodepot.com. Good service, pretty good prices on parts also, aobout the same as pelican (i think they drop ship from the same warehouse).

The nice thing about these guys if you are shopping for bits and pieces for a swap is that they will send you every little bit, and they know what is needed as they do swaps as well.

We'll see once the parts come if they miss anything.

See you guys in a couple of weeks!

[Mark D.]

Oh man, I wanted to be in town for this.....

[applecran]

Originally Posted by NvanM42lover Oh man, I wanted to be in town for this.....

I know you did. You still could

hey guys, I'm picking up the parts Friday from Blaine. Just checking to make sureyou guys are still good for saturday.

If you guys have e torx sockets can you let me know?
Thanks again guys.

[redhatpat]

I just picked up a set of e-torx sockets from Lordco for $20. They keep them in stock, might as well get your own, you'll probably need them again someday.

[Al Canuck]

Originally Posted by redhatpat I just picked up a set of e-torx sockets from Lordco for $20. They keep them in stock, might as well get your own, you'll probably need them again someday.

$20??? Holy crap, I paid closer to $200 for mine! Ohhh, but MINE came on a fancy truck, with a big fat guy driving it. And he delivered them right to my shop! Awwww, he's so nice, I love the Snap-on man. lol

Al

[Weeman83]

I'd like to come see how it's done, and...pass sandwichs and stuff.

[redhatpat]

Hey Al, do you think mine will last 25 years if used every day?

[Al Canuck]

Originally Posted by redhatpat Hey Al, do you think mine will last 25 years if used every day?

LOL, most likely not. Hell Pat, I don't want mine to HAVE to last 25 years. They're only 5 years old now, if I'm still doing this at 52, someone shoot me.

Al