E36 GM A4S 270/310 --> ZF 5HP18 auto conversion

[Tom328]

Hi guys, need some input pertaining to the title above.
I'm currently driving a '96 328i with the standard GM 4 speed. Current gearbox has no issues whatsoever (just clocked 110,000km) but was toying with the idea of this conversion. From what I have found, the ZF is more robust and has better shift quality with the benefit of that additional 5th gear. Given say RM2,000, what do you guys think?? Is it worth it and feasible??

GM gear ratios
1[SUP]st[/SUP] gear – 2.86
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] gear – 1.62
3[SUP]rd[/SUP] gear – 1.00
4[SUP]th[/SUP] gear – 0.72
At 110km/h Final drive 3.91 – 2632rpm

ZF gear ratios
1st gear - 3.66
2nd gear - 2.00
3rd gear - 1.41
4th gear - 1.00
5th gear - 0.74
At 110km/h Final drive 3.38 - 2251rpm

Based on the calculations above, it makes more sense for a 2.8 litre inline 6 to be at 2250 rpm instead of 2632rpm at a highway cruising speed of 110km/h. Acceleration would also be more linear and more closely spaced due to the additional gear.

p/s : Previously posted a thread thinking of manual conversion but may need to daily drive the car. Auto more convenient.

 

[unstopables_7]

go for it bro,.. makes alot of difference and FC too...
but of course manual is always fun to have , bmw original clutch isnt that hard actually .. :motz:

 

[firdaus325]

racun from unstopables..... yeah

 

[pussy]

Tom, it's not easy as ABC, you will need the longshaft, gearbox support, gearbox and engine wiring harness, ecu for both gearbox and engine plus the EWSII.
The GM and ZF boxes are like chicken and duck talking.

cheers..

 

[Tom328]

Wow, ECU for engine and EWSII. That means key change as well?? Doesn't sound too worth it then seeing that it involves changing so many things. May as well convert manual xD

 

[slyder]

Or you can go jatco? no direct experience in this but heard many people went that path before. its should be a 5 speeder auto as well

 

[ICEMAN 68]

if only you could find a ZF that comes in complete at that asking price of 2K ...which i think it would only be just the tranny without the ECU / Longshaft / mountings / EWS ..

ha ha ha SLY ..ya promoting JATCO ..ke ke ke

 

[slyder]

Rofl just giving alternatives. I rather prefer sticks

 

[V-Man]

Rofl just giving alternatives. I rather prefer sticks

time for you to upgrade to a Quaife sequential gearbox coz "sticks" sounds gay ...hahahaha

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Rofl just giving alternatives. I rather prefer sticks

have your stick driven car hit the 260 KM/h mark ?

 

[ICEMAN 68]

v-man ...dont play play with slyder ..these days he prefers more softies then hard core fellows like you ..when was the last you meet him up ? ke ke ke

 

[V-Man]

v-man ...dont play play with slyder ..these days he prefers more softies then hard core fellows like you ..when was the last you meet him up ? ke ke ke

Owh really?? The last time met him about 1 month back @ Kayu... His car now 'Hantu' ooh

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Owh really?? The last time met him about 1 month back @ Kayu... His car now 'Hantu' ooh

yehh MAN ....hantu ..ooppsss last heard he is the king along LDP stretch ....