ZF 5-Speed Automatic -> Max power handling?

[bimmerman]

Hey Sifus, my M50(TU)B20 is mated to a ZF 5-Speed Auto. Was wondering if I changed the engine to a bigger M50 like a B25 or B28 or beyond 3 Litre, can I use back the same gearbox or would I need a more rugged gearbox? Are there different ZF 5-Speed boxes for different engine capacities?

 

[Breakpopin]

I think there is, the rear-diff may be different, not really sure... but if the engine that you decide to change cant work properly with your current ZF box, its a good excuse for you to go for a manual one! hahaha..

Calling Sifus with ETK... are the parts the same?

 

[bimmerman]

Don't want manual lah. Old man already. Lazy lah.

Cool dance moves by the way! During me younger days I could break it down like that too! And I could headspin and windmill and do the robot!!!

But old already lah. Tired.....

 

[flash]

Looks like we are going the same route.... mine is the ZF5HP18 gearbox. Planning to upgrade my engine too next year. Read somewhere in the web (with technical specs) that our gearbox can handle max of 300 (but problem is, I cannot remember if it was hp or Nm). Damn, and I cannot find that website again. But considering the age of our gearboxes, I would use a lower max figure.

 

[ALBundy]

Even though the 520 and 525 cars both used the 5hp-18 tranny, the internal components of the gearboxes have some differences. Firstly the 525 tranny has more clutch discs, certain gear has more than 1 clutch plate extra and so forth. That being said, the torque converter is also about 3/4 inch bigger in diameter. I supposed if you are slow driver, then the 520i gearbox should be pretty okie.

The 5hp-18 tranny is good for up to 300 NM, problem is they never said whether its a 525i 5hp-18 or otherwise!

 

[bimmerman]

Flash and Bundy,

Here's a thought! If you buy a halfcut with big Six M50 make sure it comes with tranny! Then no problemo lah. Me I think 528 is good enough for my old reflexes. A shade under 200bhp. But the 3 Litre M50 is tempting too!!! :nyehehe:

 

[flash]

Originally posted by bimmerman@Dec 13 2005, 12:11 PM
Flash and Bundy,

Here's a thought! If you buy a halfcut with big Six M50 make sure it comes with tranny! Then no problemo lah. Me I think 528 is good enough for my old reflexes. A shade under 200bhp. But the 3 Litre M50 is tempting too!!! :nyehehe:

Someone told me (you know who you are, damn, you really screwed-me up) that there is a V8 4.0L available somewhere in KL.... now that is a screamer....

 

[ALBundy]

Go and buy la..but no installment wan wor Custom paper can kautim..roadtax 3.0 only! :nyehehe: :nyehehe: Car still intact in HK...if the price is right get the whole car..electric seats, wide grill, traction control and etc etc! Full specs! :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

 

[bimmerman]

I already got the big grill and late E34 look and electric seats and the whole shabang so i'm not tempted.

I think V8 will be a killa but also will killa your finances bigtime!!! :blink: Also there is the nikasil issue so I won't go down that creek. Then there's the nose heaviness which totally kills your handling. And then there's our climate!!! And fuel prices!!! And 3.0 roadtax!!! And 8 pieces of spark plugs!!! And 2 air filters!!! And pengsan..... :lazy:

I think a big six is still the best route. Get the biggest SIX you can get and you don't need to JPJ even. Just get Ah Kow, Ah Keong or Ah Fatt to stamp it on dude!

Yeah baby :yahoo:

Anyone know how much a BIGSIX M50 Halfcut with tranny costs?

 

[Breakpopin]

Bigsix M50 with tranny ranges from 6 to 8k (or more) prolly depends on the goodies that come together with it..

 

[ALBundy]

M50 big six only up to 2.5. M52tu then can go up to 3 liter but need to change wirings and stuff. Other options are a stroker kit which will cost a bomb...oh another option S50!! :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

 

[bimmerman]

Originally posted by Breakpopin@Dec 13 2005, 01:21 PM
Bigsix M50 with tranny ranges from 6 to 8k (or more) prolly depends on the goodies that come together with it..

CHEAP!!!

Cheaper than forced induction or any other modifications! Also a great thing to consider when : your engine kaput, your gearbox kaput, your electronics kaput, etc... Assuming you get a halfcut in good nick.

 

[bimmerman]

Hey Al, I thought they made a M50 in 2.8 and 3.0 as well? Don't want to get the American S50 lah. What's the biggest SIX from an original E34 anyway?

 

[ALBundy]

Biggest is 3.8 in the last E34 M5!!! After than its 3.6 (first batch M5), then the infamous big sick 3.5..

M52 2.8 engine was made for the E36/e38/e39and the M54 3.0 was made for the e46/e39.

 

[wan520i]

Yeap..mine M50TUB25 comes with ZF-5HP18..slaughterred in HK. cost:RM7K.

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by bimmerman@Dec 13 2005, 01:37 PM
Hey Al, I thought they made a M50 in 2.8 and 3.0 as well? Don't want to get the American S50 lah. What's the biggest SIX from an original E34 anyway?

for the M50 and M50TU. The biggest is 2.5.
3.0 is the US M3 which is essentially a stroked M50TUB25.

Then there's the M30 BIG SIX - 535i and the V8s...

 

[bimmerman]

Originally posted by fabianyee+Dec 13 2005, 05:09 PM-->QUOTE (fabianyee @ Dec 13 2005, 05:09 PM)

 

[Breakpopin]

Bimmerman,

putting in another engine from another model (Eg. E36, E39) will have a little complication with the JPJ when getting approval.

Well you can always opt for M50B25TU and then go for a stroker kit to make it a 3.0 mar.. you still pay RM800+ for roadtax. hehe.

 

[bimmerman]

Actually I'm paying less than RM400 right now because it's a M50B20. So getting a 2.0 and doing a big CC convertion may be the best thing to do!

Still i'm a little disappointed that the M50 maxes out at 2.5 in original form. I really don't want to get a good engine and mess with it's internals. Was kind of hoping to do a Pentium 2.0 to Pentium 3.5 straight swap and forever be at peace with the car.

I think i'll probably ditch the E34 and go for a E39 when it becomes cheap. In the meantime I'll just go for an old Honda Accord with Vtec.