Best Clutch, Flywheel & Gearbox Combos for BMW E30 M52 M50 Swap Build | Transmission Options | 046

Best Clutch, Flywheel & Gearbox Combos for BMW E30 M52 M50 Swap Build | Transmission Options | 046
In this video, I discuss the best transmission options for a BMW E30 with an M52 or an M50 engine conversion. I also touch on the prop shaft (driveshaft) and differential I intend to use.
Here's what I used in this video:
Blue Loctite: ebay.us/2SHbDd
Red Loctite: ebay.us/H37Y0G
Torx Socket Set Minus E15: ebay.us/IZZPvf
If you're working on a BMW E30 M52 Swap like I am, you've got a selection of good options when it comes to transmissions. By transmission, I don't just mean the gearbox either, because we'll need to be carefully considering our options for a flywheel, a clutch, a prop shaft and a diff too.
Starting with the gearbox. My E30 316i came with a Getrag 240 (g240) gearbox from factory. This is a manual 5-speed transmission found in 318i and 318i.
BMW did everyone a favour when they standardised their gearbox bell housings, making many interchangeable. Due to this, you will find that any of the manual gearboxes that came on E30s as standard will happily bolt up to an M52 or M50 6-pot 24v engine.
This gives us some good options for a gearbox. However, if your E30 was an M20 equipped 325i for example, your car will have come with the Getrag 260 gearbox if a manual. While this box bolts up to an M5X just fine, the gear shift will be on a bad angle due to the lean angle on the M20 being quite different to an M5X. Some people have simply bent the gear lever and gotten away with it, but I'd recommend against that.
The Getrag 240 found on the 4-pot cars don't have this issue. Thus, I was planning to use the g240 that came with my 316i. However, the issue came with this when I was working out which prop shaft I was going to need to make it work.
Unfortunately, as the M52 6-cylinder is a longer engine than the M40 4-cylinder, it sits as far back in the engine bay as possible. This knocks on to the gearbox pushing it back further into the transmission tunnel. Due to this, using the original 316i driveshaft is not an option without shortening it and rebalancing.
In fact, to use the base Getrag 240 with an M52 swap is not very well documented at all, some say you can use a pre-facelift manual 320i prop shaft and it will work. But it's somewhat unclear whether that's the case or not. Additionally finding this specific prop shaft is very difficult to do to even find out.
Luckily for me, a 318is gearbox came up for sale at a good price locally. The E30 318is also uses a Getrag 240 transmission but with some altered gear ratios and a longer output shaft. This longer shaft means you can use a much more common E30 325i driveshaft. It's very well documented that this combination will work, so I decided to purchase the gearbox and a 325i prop shaft and go with that.
As a side note, I'm planning to run with the small case 4.27 differential that came on the car at first. I'm anticipating this to rev far too high at motorway cruising speeds, and I'm a bit concerned that I'll blow up a small case diff, but I think to get the car moving it will be just fine, and I can select my limited slip diff ratio carefully down the line.
With the combination of gearbox, prop and diff decided on. It's time to talk about what will go between. The clutch and flywheel.
No matter which gearbox you select, even if you're using the ZF 5-speed transmission that would have come on a manual E36 328i for example, you'll probably want to use the same clutch and flywheel.
The clutch and flywheel I'm talking about is the single-mass one from an M20 engine. This will bolt directly up to the M52 engine, but does require some machining of the rear face of the flywheel. I believe I had around 7mm machined from mine. Once this is done the flywheel will clear the sump and block with no issue.
My lightened m20 flywheel weighs in at 7.7kg, which is a considerable amount lighter than the E36 dual mass flywheel. The M20 flywheel is a common performance upgrade for E36 enthusiasts due to this.
Fitting the gearbox is pretty straight forward with the inverse torx bolts. The only sticking point is the elusive E15 Torx socket which seems impossible to buy. Other than this, I made a DIY clutch disc alignment tool with a socket and an extension and the combination all bolted up perfectly.
For more helpful how-to guides and restorations: www.spannerrash.com/
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#m52b28 #m52 #bmwe30 #e30build #e30

[@shanechiddy4303]

Brilliant, great to watch, well done mate

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Shane mate!

[@mariosnikolaou5212]

That was a video i was waiting for a long time, especially the ones that will follow after this. Greetings from Greece.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Marios, I hope this and subsequent videos will be useful to you. Theres something important I didnt mention in this video, which is the shifter linkage etc. I don't think I will be able to use the one I have without shortening it or the gear lever will be too far back. But I have a plan for that. I either chop the one I have or I get one from a 320i which should be shorter. 😃 I will detail that when I get to that stage in a video. Also the prop shaft, there's a specific one to use with this setup so I will confirm that too and mention any other options. Engine going in next though!!!

[@maxiturbo08]

Nice job! keep pushing 💪

[@SPANNERRASH]

thanks man!

[@frankleiendecker7169]

Again great content! We need defenitly more vieuwers , csnt wait till the next one. Keep up the good work!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Much appreciated Frank 😃 Thank you!

[@MikeZyouthpastor]

Excellent video! Keep up the good work!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Mike! 😃

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Great video mate and awesome progress! Really useful tutorials too, good stuff

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Logan! 😃

[@riadrichedame4356]

Good morning ! ! I am very happy about your video... bath I present myself I am from Algeria my name is Riad, I am in the process of redoing my BMW E30 starting with the floors and a good coat of paint , so I still have the engine part I have an m52b28 and I have almost everything that bothers me like crankcase part.. support.. strainer.. engine support.. and there I lost stupid I saw your video and as you can detail it for me I didn't understand what you did like -gearbox-flying engine -kiss kitthank you and good luck brother.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Riad, thanks for your comment. It sounds like you are building a very similar E30 to mine. I'm using a Getrag 240 from a 318is, a flywheel from an M20 engine with the rear machined down, and an M20 Sachs clutch kit. Hope that helps!

[@riadrichedame4356]

thank you brother, and what did you choose for the transmission shaft? ?

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@riadrichedame4356 I used an E30 325i manual prop shaft, check out my more recent video where I explain that. 👍

[@calebclaasen8787]

I just realised you’re future me, and you making my patience run thin!😂 wishing you the best from South African

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha you will probably catch up with me, the project feels like it's taking me a very long time! 😂

[@Sebb220690]

The screws for the gearbox are E10 for M8, E12 for M10 and E14 for the M12, E15 has nothing there.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting! I'm 99% sure my set has an E14 and it won't go on the heads. It seems RealOEM does agree with you though. That is a mystery...

[@google7980]

I love your videos . I have the same e30 in my garage and this car is conpletley damaged .but i never give up to fix it :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Really glad you enjoy them. I hope you can get your E30 fixed up again. I think you will be glad you saved it! 😃

[@yourenotreece]

Good video as always man👍🏽 Just wanted to say i’ve tried 4.44 and 4.27 with the m52b28 in my e30 and it was quite unbearable, i ended up using a 3.23 diff from an e36 compact, then using the e30 shafts and cups👍🏽

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Reece! Were you using the g240 gearbox too? Yeah I was expecting it to be ridiculous with the 4.27 diff, the 4.44 must've been mental, bet you never needed 1st gear. 😆 I was thinking 3.91 but maybe 3.23 is the sweet spot. I want the car to feel lively and responsive, but I don't want to be arriving places with a headache.

[@yourenotreece]

@@SPANNERRASH yeah man using the g240 also, the 3.23 is still peppy but you can happily do 70mph and still think straight😂

[@bennyb.1742]

@@yourenotreece I'm on a 4.44 with 15" wheels, gutted interior and no cats. It slowly melts my brain on the highway but boy is it fun on backroads.

[@d0nika1]

Some time ago we tried the superglue clutch aligment with the cheapest glue on an E60 V8. Worked too well, the car started moving with the pressed out clutch in first gear. We removed the gearbox in the end cause we think we made a mistake. Had to scrape the disk from the pressure plate. If I dont see with my 2 eyes I wouldn't believe it.😀😀 I planed to use a 6 speed box from an e90 316i on my 318IS E36 so i can use a 4.xx diff with moderate rpm. Keep up the good work!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha nice! So it really does work with the super glue. I will have to give that a try next time. Shame it didnt work out with the gearbox for you. Cheers! 😀

[@razmossis]

Yep. I did the superglue trick on my first clutch swap. Unfortunately it was on a 1.2 Clio that didn’t have the power to break the bond 😂 From what I remember we had to try a rolling start in 5th gear to give the engine more leverage over the gearbox or something😂

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha no way! Maybe you used a bit too much glue. 🤣 Lucky you got it broken free, it would have sucked to have to strip it down again.

[@ThirstE30]

Love your videos . I got a 4 door e30 . I restored it just like you . I’ve got m52 in it for about 6 months . You will love it . If you have any questions I am happy to help

[@SPANNERRASH]

Awesome thanks so much mate! Can't wait to drive the car with the M52 in. Should be an epic car.

[@robi6713]

Ive got a 1989 320i Sedan, M20B20, how hard would be for me to swap a m50b25 or m52b28? Any hard modification?

[@elijahmack5170]

What ECU did you use?

[@ThirstE30]

@@robi6713 easy if are a mechanic or have experience working on cars . The only hard modification is the exhaust hitting the sway bar

[@ThirstE30]

@@elijahmack5170 ms41

[@e30_318is_project]

Looking very nice! Good to see you're using the 318is gearbox, i guess i have the same in my car. I havtn checked yet. That makes it somewhat interesting to maybe do the m52b28 swap in the future. I wonder if the gearbox will be strong enough!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yeah it's a tried-and-tested method so I'm hoping the gearbox is strong enough. To be honest I've never heard of someone blowing a Getrag 240 box up with an NA M50 or M52 swap so it should be safe. I'll be sure to put some good gearbox oil in though and monitor it. 😁 The ZF box would have been better durability, but it also complicates things in other ways.

[@e30_318is_project]

@@SPANNERRASH sounds good! I'm curious what gearbox is in my car. I'll check soon 😂

[@Hmeboygur1]

HEY guys and girls! Great informative videos! Just a question. Is it just me but I didn't see you put in a bearing on the crank for the gearbox shaft.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hello, there was already a Pilot Bearing in place, in good condition so I didn't replace it.

[@mixymand]

Great work, as always, but where is yours 318is?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Sadly I got rid of the 318is years ago. It was a great car and I still miss it. But I think this M52 E30 will be much better when it's done. 😄

[@CYMRU619]

It'll feel like a little rocket ship with the 4.27 FD! From previous experience I would recommend ditching the vibration dampener that's bolted to the guibo on the 'box output shaft. For me (e36) it ended up fouling the selector rod for the shifter and just generally made working in that area and fitting the shifter parts a nightmare because of how big and bulky it is. I also noticed no increase in vibration after removing it so don't really know why it's there? Would make sense on a diesel I suppose but the M52 is silky smooth.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yeah we will see how it behaves, probably a bit too aggressive but I'm not sure yet! 😆 Interesting what you say about the vibration dampener, I will make a judgement on that when I come to fit the prop shaft. I might try with first and then without to see if it makes any difference on my car. Cheers!

[@haraldlachmund2433]

In the early E34 with the M50 BMW used a Getrag 260 gearbox made to fit for the M50. I have one of this very rare gearboxes. Nur finaly i decided to you use a ZF 320.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Ahh yes I have heard about these g260 boxes which fit at the correct angle. Quite unusual to find. is a ZF 320 the 5-speed one which comes with a manual 328i originally?

[@haraldlachmund2433]

@@SPANNERRASH As i know the SD5 320Z is the original manual gearbox from factory

[@Abigailrp]

awesome

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers!

[@gt40tech48]

Great channel! Helping my son at the moment with his e30 swap. Do you cover the starter motor in some movie? Our E30 starter from the m20 dont fit the m52tub25, hits the engine block, any advice here?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Awesome I hope my vids are useful to you. I think it's in the engine fitting video near the beginning, I used an E30 starter motor and it was a perfect fit with my M52B28, M20 flywheel, and G240 gearbox. I'm not well versed on the TU motors to be honest, check my other vid out and hopefully it will shed some light for you.

[@Blaq011]

The m40 clutch and flywheel do actually fit on an m50

[@SPANNERRASH]

No way, do they really? I'd been told it wouldn't fit at all. Are you using an M40 flywheel on an M52? Is there anything to be aware of?

[@MissChristineC1990]

It's funny I never used an alignment tool for clutches. Always just put the pressure plate on tighten down bit by bit, and you can feel through the raised sections of pressure plate and line the friction plate perfectly with the pressure plate. Never done it any other way :')

[@SPANNERRASH]

Nice and its worked out for you every time doing it that way? I guess its all fun and games until you drop a clutch pressure plate on your toe. 🤣

[@MissChristineC1990]

@@SPANNERRASH yeah I've done quite a few like this now. Probably should get a tool for it to be fair. Try it next time. And the check with the alignment tool to see how close it bes.

[@mcjjordan]

Flywheel can use e21 which is basically what your trying to re-create

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting is the E21 fly the same type of single mass one as the E30's M20 one?

[@mcjjordan]

@@SPANNERRASH yes with the recess in the rear

[@billtimmer2462]

I wonder what your flywheel looked like before you had it machined, and if it is really necessary to do. I have just taken the M20B27 out of my 87 325E and removed the transmission and there is no difference between the clearance on the back of the M20 vs M52. My car has the dual mass flywheel, and the crankshaft mating surface sticks out a few mm beyond the rest of the flywheel. Also, the back side of mine is already totally flush with the outer teeth, just like yours does in the video. I wonder if this is the difference between the early single mass vs the late model dual mass as I have in my car.

[@SPANNERRASH]

In the video there was more clearance than I expected after machining, some people do say that you can use a spacer instead to get enough clearance. Without either machining or a spacer though, the flywheel would clash with the engine I'm quite sure. Interesting what you say about late model 325e with dual mass flywheel. To be honest I've never seen one of these, I didn't know that dual mass type existed. I'd be very hard to say without comparing them side by side.

[@mcjjordan]

Did you change the bearing? When i did mine i had to fit a different size as input shaft’s different size

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, I didn't change the bearing as it was a perfect fit. I was expecting to need to, but didn't in the end. Do you think this means it was changed before? This M52 was used in an E30 swap I was told, but I thought with the ZF gearbox it originally came with.

[@jimveerm3]

Hi,what diff ration do you recommend for the E30 M50 swap g240 please? I do a lot of motor way driving and performance is not my goal at the moment. Thanks.😊

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, really tough to say until I have the car on the road. I've got a 4.27 on the car which I'm planning to start with. But I'm 99% sure it will be ridiculously short and unbearable on the motorway. I'm expecting to want something in the 3's. Probably a 3.39 or similar. There's more than likely a way to calculate the engine speed with a gear ratio and final drive combo, but I'm gonna run what I've got at first and see what happens. I'm kind of excited for the surprise. 😆 Not looking forward to finding/buying the right limited slip diff though, as they are silly expensive now.

[@jimveerm3]

@@SPANNERRASH i have 2 lsd a medium case 3.73 and a small case 3.38 amd i dont know which 1 to use with a g240 getrag.... By the way i have the prop shaft from and e36 325i will it fit my gearbox or do i need the 325i e30 prop shaft...? Thank you for replying..

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@jimveerm3 Nice, from what I've been told the medium case will be a better bet for an engine swap like this. The small case wont like the torque long term according to a few sources. 3.73 should be a sound ratio from what I understand, I'd anticipate you'll be happy with that. I need to find a medium case LSD within that range but they are so hard to find at a sensible price... You'll need the E30 325i prop shaft if your g240 is the one from an E30 318is. If its one from a base 316i or 318i you'll want a manual 320i e30 prop. I did a video all about probs, you should check it out!

[@aniluzun2321]

Hello what did you used flywheel and clutch kit

[@SPANNERRASH]

I used a lightened single-mass M20 flywheel, some of the material is machined off the back so it doesn't foul the M52 block. This is paired with a Sachs M20 clutch. Should be a great combo using the g240 gearbox.

[@aniluzun2321]

@@SPANNERRASH before i used getrag , now i have zf . Already inside m54b30 dmf and clutch kit but i will refresh and i couldnt decide . Which will be better but lot of people offer DMF

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@aniluzun2321 It comes down tto preference, as my car will be a fun drivers car for weekends, I think I will love the lightened single mass flywheel. I might have thought more about it if I was going to use the car as a daily.

[@yothisispaul]

Which TOB did you use? g260 or g240?

[@SPANNERRASH]

The one that came with the M20 Sachs clutch kit, so I guess it will be for a g260. Although the removed g240 one looks identical, just in worse condition. I think the same part.

[@yothisispaul]

@@SPANNERRASH thanks mate. Great series!

[@0megalul309]

whats the diameter on your clutch disc btw?

[@SPANNERRASH]

thats very hard for me to tell you since it's fitted! 😆 It's a standard Sachs clutch disc from an E30 325i

[@aniluzun2321]

I need offer for Zf gearbox flywheel and clutch kit . Im using daily . E30 m52b28 + ZF 5 speed

[@SPANNERRASH]

If your car will de a daily driver and using the ZF box, you might want to retain the original dual mass M52 flywheel and clutch setup. It's well regarded. The lightened M20 one should give the car a bit more zing and help it rev faster, but it might be tiring in a daily.

[@aniluzun2321]

@@SPANNERRASH appreciate you boss . Thank you very much . Have ither question . I made obd 2 for check the problems its okay but i cant delete oil services check alert on gauge . i dont have orginal entrance in hood for delete . How can i do it ?

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@aniluzun2321 Based on your description, if it were me, I would probably block the LEDs off somehow to stop them annoying, then just not worry about it. 😆

[@aniluzun2321]

@@SPANNERRASH 😂😂 im thinking about same thing but dont wanna hack it . Wanna follow true way . If any body know and see im waiting for offer 😀

[@aniluzun2321]

By the way, sometimes I see the indicator red lights turn on, it only lasts for a second and disappears. while the engine is running. I think I need help from someone who understands electricity well.

[@aniluzun2321]

What will you use diff ? Im running zf 5 speed 3.64 diff 4 and 5 very long and fast but 1-2-3 soo short . Offer me please boss . M52b28 7200 rpm Zf 5 speed M54b30 clutch kit Chrome headers , exhaust complete Air filter 14 bbs 😀

[@aniluzun2321]

And last speed 240 on 7200 rpm

[@SPANNERRASH]

Nice, I am looking for a medium case limited slip diff around that for my build, which should be optimal for me. For you however, as you are using the ZF 5-speed, you will want a shorter diff close to 3.00 in ratio depending on how you like it.

[@aniluzun2321]

@@SPANNERRASH before i used getrag 240 ist faster than zf , for drift for rpm . But zf is long and for autobahn . This is ny experince . I think with gametrag 3.46 will be better . Lsd .

[@patrickneuhaus117]

why make it so complicated? just use a small e36/e39 gearbox (getrag) and clutch and a 320i driveshaft (78mm boltcircle) with an 3.07 diff from an 323ti. works very good for me with an m52b25

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting Patrick, which Getrag box is on the E36/E39? I reckon finding that diff and swapping E30 flanges on is more involved than what I'm planning to do though.

[@blessing4444]

I think the manual gearboxes on the e36s for euro markets are g220’s

[@SnowBlazeKongen]

is the driveshaft from an sedan or cupe? i have a cupe and i'm wondering what i need. and how did you bolt up the transmission?

[@patrickneuhaus117]

@SnowBlazeKongen Coupe Touring and sedan with same engines have the same driveshafts since they have the same wheelbase. Just the bearing carrier in the middle is different between facelift and prefacelift, but you can swap those pretty easy (a new one is cheap and not a bad idea anyway I guess). The distance of the boltholes is 1cm different 14 and 13cm if I recall correctly. Original E30 transmission brackets with bushings fit E36/E39 transmissions (except some very rare early ones... Sportboxes and so on) @SPANNERRASH According to the parts catalogue it's a S5G 250G TAJT. Pretty same as E36 with an ratio of 1:1 in 5. gear (hence the longer diff as most E30 have 0.81) came in an '97 523i. I've heard rumors about different flanges on compact and E30 diffs but never had a missmatch so far. The flanges for the axles just pop out, no messing around with bearings. I've changed the ones from the original 318i in the 323ti diff to check for different distance and I could not find a difference.

[@SnowBlazeKongen]

@@patrickneuhaus117 thanks man👍🏻 looking forward to starting the project, how did you sort the wiring? Now that I have the mechanical parts in order the only thing left is electrics😅