Can I Auto-Manual Swap This BMW E24 In 2 weeks!?

I have a 2 week timeline set by myself to achieve a flawless E24 Auto to Manual Swap. Can I do it? What issues do I run into? What are the implications to the setbacks and how can they have ben avoided to be more efficient in the future?
Here we cover everything from Transmission to driveshaft to pedals to TPS wiring!
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[@robinfoster7597]

I'm in the UK. I had a '79 CSi for 6 years, chrome bumper model, in Henna Red. It had the close-ratio, dog leg box and was a total weapon! You could throw it around like a mk2 escort, it was mega! I've got to say, everytime I drove that car, without exception, I was inspired to say, out loud, "god, I love this car"! The steering was perfectly weighted and was just a joy to use. The throttle response, in any gear, with that close ratio gearbox, was instant, real shove you back-in to the seat stuff. If you floored it the nose would rise high and the back-end would just squat down and launch you. The close ratio box, had 5th at 1:1 so was low geared - 100 mph came up at about 4,800 rpm. I used to regulary see 8mpg! - Yeah, I drove it like I stole it for all of those 6 years! It wasn't that I set out to be a hooligan, the car just begged to be driven! The brakes were amazing, I mean they would lock-up just like that at low speed, pre abs model, but at high speed, they were always great. I used to use Castrol DOT 5.1 brake fluid - don't skrimp on your brake fluid, it can make all the difference. It would do 38mph in 1st, 60 in 2nd, 80 in 3rd and 112mph in 4th gear. 138 Came up at 6,400 rpm in top gear (red line), but I did see 7,200 in top gear once. - you'll have to work it out! Mine came from new (it was on the options list receipt) with 14" BBS cross alloys, not metric, running 195/70VR14 - I used the Goodyear NCT/2 tyre, which worked really well with it. It's achilles heal was the rubber doughnut between the gearbox and the propshaft, and they would last about 9 months! It was so comfortable too, long journeys just made you feel great and you got to the other end, still ready for more! I nearly forgot, the sound the car made was just ace, Low growl at tick-over to 6-cylinder scream at high revs. It was really torque'e too - you could roll along in top, at low speed, with the burble of the exhaust setting off car alarms! I'm not writing this, not to brag, but instead to share with others what it was like. The car was well out of my league (clerical assistant in a local authority aged 23!) and I came upon it by chance. £700 in 1994! I rebuilt the suspension which brought it back up, to where it should be, at least mechanically. I think it was on 157,000 miles when I bought it (3rd owner) and I think it was on about 224,000 miles when I let it go? It was a money pit but even so, I know I am so lucky to have had one of these for six years and to have been able to enjoy hard driving in it - if I broke, I fixed it. It kept me poor, but boy, what an experience. I wouldn't change it for anything.

[@Garageaholic]

Wow - now that’s a great comment. You were reminiscing there. I know how you feel

[@markhaith4720]

Mines 1981 uk car. I swapped dogbox and lsd on driveway. Have m88/3 engine to swap but needs full rebuild. Have a look if you are ever in isle of man

[@friguy4444]

Frank. ......YOU ROCK!! Every time I watch your videos I'm BLOWN AWAY! You are amazing in your knowledge and skill set on BMW's. The N54 swaps and the manuals and instructions (Not sure what they are called LOL) are incredible. I had a look at your web page with them there and I would expect that people might be trying that swap by now. I hope you have all the success you deserve!! I've said here a few times that I just don't understand why you don't have a LOT more subs as your content is above by far compared to a lot of other stuff.

[@nikolamasic7395]

Best way to bleed the clutch is by reverse bleeding: pump brake fluid from slave cylinder bleed valve back into the top reservoir. I attach a hose between the bleed and a hand pump oil can, filled with brake fluid; open the bleed valve and pump brake fluid up stream. Easy, it takes mere minutes! Back in the day I'd spend hours messing with the slave and got no results till I started doing this way. Others suggested this method as well, it works amazingly well.

[@Garageaholic]

Yeah I tried that too. Still had air

[@MrHiggim]

Best swap ever on an M30 - really wakes up the big 6! I also fitted an lsd when I did my swap 😎

[@garagefabroart]

Excellent work. This is a huge help to the community. I'm glad all of my E24s were already manual for sure.

[@missioncapri]

Awesome vid!! Going to start collecting the parts todo this to mine. This video will help massively!!

[@hevendranarayansamy2793]

Neat e24. Well done Frank. 👏

[@johnbergen9663]

Nice job! And eliminated the awful slush box!

[@jaimermb]

keep walking! Good job!

[@BMWE30RESTORATION]

very interesting project and machine and great job

[@EspoDesk]

Keep crankin 'em out Frank, and let the good times roll.

[@himbo_Central]

Big fan!

[@jonsferrari]

Frank is the man!!

[@Martin-uc2gl]

Great red, awesome green. Manual ..Dreamcar 🙃

[@timu.700]

Thanks for a great video! You mentioned a full parts list, but I can't see one in the description. Have I missed it?

[@davidt.6415]

Nice work! I love the look of 6 series. My 1994 840ci manual swap was done in 2 weeks as well! It took 6 months of collecting parts, but bimmerforums was very resourceful so I didn't need to spend much time figuring things out on my own.

[@Garageaholic]

Heck yeah man!! Good job!

[@mikenewton6127]

My E34 swap took 5 weeks waiting on custom driveshaft, so you beat me! Keep the video's coming man!

[@Garageaholic]

I could have done it in 2 weeks easy if the driveshaft fit!

[@Nico_335i_DCT]

Wow, great job Frank. This is the first e24 manual swap I have seen. I once changed the master clutch on my old e36 325i and it was indeed a big pain in the back to bleed it, hahaha. Some guys recommend pushing the fluid from the slave back up to the master and finally the reservoir. That tip came too late for me, LOL. Have a great weekend. Dutch regards, Nico.

[@Garageaholic]

I did try that Nico! And even pushing fluid through the slave didn’t do it! I think you just need time for the tiny air bubbles to eventually work their way out.

[@Apfelkernification]

Hey Frank, in the video you are mentioning that you will inlcude a full parts list in the description. I can‘t find it here, nor on your website. Are you still planning on providing us with this list? Video is very good and also shows things that don‘t go according to plan, which is really appreciated

[@markhaith4720]

Good video any thoughts on value of adding material to chassis rails for improved body stiffness? With thanms Mark

[@spencermaiers8322]

Frank, one suggestion for clutch: Open bleeder at slave. Assuming empty lines and fresh fluid will drip out. Attempt to bleed if you so desire or... Once fluid comes out slave bleeder, close bleeder. Remove slave from transmission. Pump the piston by hand slowly 10-20 times. Probably 10 does it. Pedal should be perfect. I always back bleed it on my old BMWs. Just my experience!

[@Garageaholic]

Interesting! I have done the “open slave bleeder” overnight and that helps! Never removed slave and pumped manually. Very interesting thank you again!!

[@Garageaholic]

Hey spencer, did you see my latest YT short filling my e31 clutch system??

[@spencermaiers8322]

I did! I hadn't thought of force feeding it ;) I had a mini that seemed a waste of time to bleed and back bled it, worked out. I've back bled any time there is a problem and if you watch Eric the car guy he spends god knows how long bleeding the clutch. Seems stupid to waste so much time doing a repetitive basically brainless task. If clutches bled like brakes I wouldn't worry but I do not like bleeding difficult clutches and was suggested back bleeding and I am sure many experts will have a differing opinion but I cannot see what can go wrong if you have mostly fresh fluid through the system before you back bleed it. I like your style pumping it full... I wanted a little pressurized oiler (i assume) like that but it was Chinese and I just couldn't that time around. I'd like a USA made oiler can (yours looks USA made!)

[@spencermaiers8322]

I would add that every clutch job slightly back pressures the system when you re attach the slave anyway and it touches the clutch fork on any BMW so it can't be *that* bad or even bad considering BMW doesn't specify to pull out some special $500 germany bleeding tool contraption setup ( that I know of) when you change a clutch and zip tie the slave up like probably just about everybody who plays with their BMW themselves!

[@bavariansharks7149]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@spencermaiers8322]

Only based on the title I suspect you could swap it in 12 breakneck hours with a Buddy!

[@dakfinance6117]

Any issue with swapping the driveshaft halves? Looking to do this on an e34 but having the same issue

[@Garageaholic]

The rear half remains the same since it hasn’t changed. So if you can find a longer front half, it should swap over no problem!

[@ThePimsta]

How much do you charge for an e24 635csi auto to manual swap out? Do you take customers or recommend someone? Thx! Suri

[@Garageaholic]

Email me! We’ll talk

[@Martin-uc2gl]

Do it yourself .. 🤓

[@netflyer68]

👎

[@Garageaholic]

You’re more of an automatic trans guy