BMW E36 manual conversion using Getrag 260

[Tom328]

Hi guys,I've been toying with the idea of a manual conversion for my 328i. The most common being done here is the Getrag 220 conversion but i can't seem to be able to accept the fact of a 2.8L 6 potter screaming at 2945rpm (3.15 rear diff) or even 2739rpm (2.93 rear diff) at 110km/h!!! Looking at something closer to 2000rpm at 110km/h like my dad's previous E60 530i. hehehehe... Did some research online and came up with the following.1) A few E36s overseas have plonked in the Getrag 260 from the E30 323/325i. The 260 has a nice, tall 0.81 5th gear but sits at an angle on the tranny mount. So this has to be modified. But when setup nicely, very nice highway cruising rpm. Anyone here converted to manual using the 260??? Calculated the gear ratios as belowGetrag 260/51st gear – 3.832nd gear – 2.203rd gear – 1.404th gear – 1.005th gear – 0.81At 110km/hFinal drive 2.93 – 2219rpmFinal drive 3.15 – 2386rpm2) Next option is a 6 speed M3 tranny. SO EXPENSIVE!!! hahaha... calculated the gear ratios as belowGetrag 420G1st gear – 4.322nd gear – 2.543rd gear – 1.624th gear – 1.235th gear – 1.006th gear – 0.83At 110km/hFinal drive 2.93 – 2277rpmFinal drive 3.15 – 2448rpm3) With the Getrag 220 which is being done here, the gear ratios and rpm are as belowGetrag 220/51st gear – 4.232nd gear – 2.523rd gear – 1.664th gear – 1.225th gear – 1.00At 110km/hFinal drive 2.93 – 2739rpmFinal drive 3.15 – 2945rpmCurrently the GM 4 speed auto is running atGM 4 speed Automatic1st gear – 2.862nd gear – 1.623rd gear – 1.004th gear – 0.72At 110km/h Final drive 3.91 – 2632rpmWith the M52B28's hp and torque, i see no problem running taller gears on the highway. unless i'm missing out on something??? please advice...*all calculations were done using this website http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/e46_gear_ratio_calculator.htm

 

[Galaxy7]

Mine is 328 with 4speed auto, my final drive is 3.73. Good setup for me for city & highway use.

 

[tneeaik]

hi all

i m using the 260 mate with b28. but the FD is 4.1
the pick up is good n i m running just below 3k at 110km/h. but the 1st gear is too tall, i m thinkin to try 3.91.

is possible to run a 3.15 or 2.92 FD, but u have to know wat u wan, u might lose pick up tat needed 4 our heavy bm. but if u mainly for high way driving then i c no problem. is up to u.

 

[ramsing]

if you want a cruiser, get the 6 spd box. 6th gear will give you the rpm's u want. plus u still get pickup on the higher gears. but of coz its $$$

alternatively look for the zf 5 speed boxes. you can play around with the rear diff. lowest you can go is 2.65, but v hard to get the gearing. i've got a 2.79, but yet to install.

g260 needs some work to fit, and its senget. later ur car also senget, hahahaha.

 

[535i]

if you want a cruiser, get the 6 spd box. 6th gear will give you the rpm's u want. plus u still get pickup on the higher gears. but of coz its $$$

alternatively look for the zf 5 speed boxes. you can play around with the rear diff. lowest you can go is 2.65, but v hard to get the gearing. i've got a 2.79, but yet to install.

g260 needs some work to fit, and its senget. later ur car also senget, hahahaha.

Sing - ko ni keje ker tak ...

 

[2wenty6]

My factory manual 325 hovers around the 3k rpm mark at 110km/h and it doesn't bother me much. The wind noise is probably louder..
I'm not sure whats the price difference or labor intensity, but just giving you some input before you embark on what seems like a laborious exercise to solve a negligible issue..

 

[ICEMAN 68]

not that type of person who cares of calcualtions etc etc as i've used both the getrag 220 and ZF 5sp ..the feeling ain't much difference at 110KM/h.

the getrag is definately robust and faster in taking off when compared to the ZF, in between the both i would say getrag plays pretty well in many ways ....

engine tweeks too plays many roles ( with open port airfilters , injectors , DME software , exhaust ) too needs to be taken into consideration on choosing the right box ..

IMHO it's not all about calculation, but more of how much moolah are you looking to spend ..

conclusion : for a robust hard drive : Getrag
for a linear drive : ZF

 

[V-Man]

my 328i with getrag 220/250 paired with a 3.15 diff gets 1:1 on 5th gear. May be a little scream on crusing but it's effortless to overtake or take off on 5th gear. During my V-Tec days, they call it "Gear lima hidup bang"

and so much so, I'm still hitting 540-550 km with RM100 RON 95.

 

[Tom328]

Thanks for the input guys. 6 speed M3 box definitely best option with tall 1st gear and overdrive 6th gear but so much moolah for that setup!!! hahaha... looking for the best combo for pickup and highway cruising and the 260 ratios seem nice.

tneeaik, what car are u running the 260 + b28??? E36??? 1st gear definitely too tall with 4.1 FD but pickup sure kaw kaw. hahaha... was there a problem mounting the tranny on the trans mount at an angle??? any vibration problems???

 

[ICEMAN 68]

my 328i with getrag 220/250 paired with a 3.15 diff gets 1:1 on 5th gear. May be a little scream on crusing but it's effortless to overtake or take off on 5th gear. During my V-Tec days, they call it "Gear lima hidup bang"

and so much so, I'm still hitting 540-550 km with RM100 RON 95.

ya car whack and whoop me on 4th leyyy ..i will remember that !!

 

[V-Man]

ya car whack and whoop me on 4th leyyy ..i will remember that !!

Nothing is REAL , you only Watch I dont remember la deii ..

 

[tneeaik]

Thanks for the input guys. 6 speed M3 box definitely best option with tall 1st gear and overdrive 6th gear but so much moolah for that setup!!! hahaha... looking for the best combo for pickup and highway cruising and the 260 ratios seem nice.

tneeaik, what car are u running the 260 + b28??? E36??? 1st gear definitely too tall with 4.1 FD but pickup sure kaw kaw. hahaha... was there a problem mounting the tranny on the trans mount at an angle??? any vibration problems???

i m running the combo in my e34. my mech did mod the trans mount. he didnt complaint about vibration at 190 but i never been there b4.
running a fd 4.1 is not much different from 220 with 3.15. the ori ratio 4 260 is 3.73. so u have the figure u can cal it out.

 

[Tom328]

Came across this post... http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1147316 and http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1147312

 

[5150]

Mine's a manual but the conversion was done by the previous owner, dunno what's the ratio but my mech said it's a Getrag. 5th gear 3K rpm speedo reads 115km/h, 5th gear 4k rpm speedo reads 150km/h. I usually fill the tank full after it reach half tank/30litres, hiway driving speed averaging 160km/h usually getting 300kms, KL city driving i get around 200-240kms...basically maintenance free just change the axle oil n gearbox oil every 45000 kms n watchout for any leaking. so i can worry abt the engine only

 

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