[someguy_99]

Nice write up i read it all,

 

[kylekruchok]

Nice write up i read it all,

I did too.

Holy epic. Sounds like someone had a bit of fun on this! How many trial and errors did you happen to go through as far as the electronics go? Or was figuring it all out in the first place pretty straight forward?

 

[TitaniumCranium]

Thanks for the kind words guys!!! Even in spite of kpeng's 5 days of kindness toward all Americans. He's holdin back and bein a little stingy with his kindness since the rest of the world will not benefit from this newfound spirit. But really... I digress... back on track!

There were others such as xmltok, Neil1138, and, ivegotissues666. I won't lie. I bruised their brains before I was satisfied with the answers I wanted. Thanks guys! :clap:

The result was that it all fell into place like like a swiss watch. All the electrical was in the right place and the car started the first time. It was truly uneventful. No electrical meltdowns no mechnical meltdows.

 

[TerraPhantm]

TitaniumCranium, I remember you were having an issue where the DME was still looking for the EGS even though the DME software is supposed to be the same for autos and manuals... did you ever figure out what was going on there?

 

[jbeurotech]

TitaniumCranium, I remember you were having an issue where the DME was still looking for the EGS even though the DME software is supposed to be the same for autos and manuals... did you ever figure out what was going on there?

Should just need to change the Basic and programed numbers. That is what I do with all the conversions I program. The re-encode the whole car

 

[TerraPhantm]

Should just need to change the Basic and programed numbers. That is what I do with all the conversions I program. The re-encode the whole car

That's what I figured, but at least according to the ETK (bmwfans.info at least, I didn't actually check my local copy), there isn't an auto-specific programmed number for the non-M E46s... Is the ETK mistaken?

 

[TitaniumCranium]

Yeah, I still don't have this working right.

Using DIS I can remove option 205 from the KOMBI and it indicates that the VO has changed but when I recode the rest of the modules I get an error indicating that the process has terminated because the VO has not changed. :dunno:

I can disconnect the EGS module, and automatically recode. I get the same error message but the DSC and brake lights go out so it acts like it actually does recode the module but the cruse control doesn't work and the SES light is on.

If I start over using ncs expert I can get the transmission cog to go out and the cruise control works but if I unplug the EGS module I can't get the DSC/brake light to go out using DIS recoding.

So I'm driving around with my SES light on (bus fault - egs trying to communicate with dme), my EGS module plugged in, transmission cog out, and cruise control working.

 

[TerraPhantm]

Theoretically changing the VO and recoding the modules should take care of everything except the DME.

Have you ever attempted to reflash the DME? The VO isn't used to determine the appropriate DME software, so changing the VO isn't enough for the DME. You have to manually input the number that points to the right software version. If you let DIS, SSS, or WinKFP automatically determine the proper DME version, it'll just flash the latest available automatic tune. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say the appropriate DME version is 7571613. If you attempt to reflash the DME, note down the version thats currently on there before flashing it

 

[KnightroExpress]

Amazing write-up! If (when) my Steptragic fails, this is the first place I'll go for my real gearbox conversion.

 

[azzy989]

Thought I'd bump this thread..

I was going to attempt this swap myself, but things came up and I didn't have the time to commit to it. I took it to a BMW indy shop instead and passed them the link to this DIY as a reference for the electronic side of the swap. I am told that the instructions were so good that the car fired up first try!

Some details about my car.. Car is a 2005 with the MS45.1 ECU and a GM A5S 390 R transmission. Swapped in a 6 speed 330 transmission along with a 330 driveshaft and 3.38 LSD. Thanks for being such a vital member in the community!

 

[ESS330xi]

First off, INCREDIBLE WRITE-UP!!!

My question: is it worth it to switch from a 5-spd to a 6-spd? My 5-spd cruises at around 3K RPM, and that's a bit much for me. I remember my Mustangs in college cruised at around 1800 RPM, and that was great. That was also a long time ago, and I would never own another Mustang again.

What type of costs (total) am I looking at for this swap? I just spoke with an independent shop & they said that there might be problem as to the computer not accepting the new 6-spd?

 

[toddeshpeter]

I am currently ordering parts to go from auto to 5 speed. I wouldn't think of doing this swap if it wasn't for your great diy along with neil's and ivegotissues. Thank you so much! I have a 02/1999 328i that has a GM auto with reverse fail. I have just one question at this point. This is after reading all three diy several times.

1. I noticed on your diy and neil's you didn't change anything with the radiator like ivegotissues did. Ivegotissues said his would spew coolant if he didn't but you and neil didn't seem to have that problem. If I am correct all you did was remove the two lines from the radiator. Can you clarify this for me please?

Thanks, oh and one last question. If I run into trouble and need a little help during the swap what would be the best way to contact you? Email, PM, or on this thread? Thanks again!

 

[OneOfaKindTrini]

This swap is just so epic.

 

[deafboy]

If my tranny ever goes out again I am coming over and doing this...lol

 

[TerraPhantm]

First off, INCREDIBLE WRITE-UP!!!

My question: is it worth it to switch from a 5-spd to a 6-spd? My 5-spd cruises at around 3K RPM, and that's a bit much for me. I remember my Mustangs in college cruised at around 1800 RPM, and that was great. That was also a long time ago, and I would never own another Mustang again.

What type of costs (total) am I looking at for this swap? I just spoke with an independent shop & they said that there might be problem as to the computer not accepting the new 6-spd?

Assuming you're talking about 5MT to a 6MT, the computer doesn't care. The only electronic component in a manual transmission is the reverse switch. To go from a 5-speed to a 6-speed, you'd need a new driveshaft, clutch, and flywheel. You shouldn't have to touch the computer at all.

 

[toddeshpeter]

ESS330xi, just to mention, you said back in college days your Mustang cruised at 1800 RPM. Assuming you are talking muscle car days, the engine is completely different than your BMW in that the old V-8's were built more for torque and less for horsepower and the BMW engine is built more for horsepower and less for torque. The mustang, being more torquey would run really well at low RPM with a load. At 1800 RPM in top gear and cruising at 60 mph is where that engine would shine. With an engine like the BMW it likes a little more RPM since it is built more for horsepower, so cruising at 60 mph at 3000 RPM is more where it likes to be.

All that aside, swapping to the 6 spd would be nice for gas mileage. If you are cruising at 60 or 70 mph it would be nice to drop it into 6th to save fuel on long trips.

 

[TitaniumCranium]

I am currently ordering parts to go from auto to 5 speed. I wouldn't think of doing this swap if it wasn't for your great diy along with neil's and ivegotissues. Thank you so much! I have a 02/1999 328i that has a GM auto with reverse fail. I have just one question at this point. This is after reading all three diy several times.

1. I noticed on your diy and neil's you didn't change anything with the radiator like ivegotissues did. Ivegotissues said his would spew coolant if he didn't but you and neil didn't seem to have that problem. If I am correct all you did was remove the two lines from the radiator. Can you clarify this for me please?

Thanks, oh and one last question. If I run into trouble and need a little help during the swap what would be the best way to contact you? Email, PM, or on this thread? Thanks again!

I didn't replace the radiator. It's not necessary but you could if you wanted to. You just remove the auto-trans cooling lines at the radiator, drain, and cap them off. Whatever you do, if you're keeping the auto radiator, don't remove the auto-trans cooler from the radiator or it will spew coolant all over the place (don't bother asking me how I know).

PM would be the best way, and I'll help in any way I can.

 

[toddeshpeter]

Thank you very much for the help and future help!

 

[ESS330xi]

Assuming you're talking about 5MT to a 6MT, the computer doesn't care. The only electronic component in a manual transmission is the reverse switch. To go from a 5-speed to a 6-speed, you'd need a new driveshaft, clutch, and flywheel. You shouldn't have to touch the computer at all.

Yikes. . .was hoping for far less costly solution. Crap.

ESS330xi. . .with an engine like the BMW it likes a little more RPM since it is built more for horsepower, so cruising at 60 mph at 3000 RPM is more where it likes to be.

All that aside, swapping to the 6 spd would be nice for gas mileage. If you are cruising at 60 or 70 mph it would be nice to drop it into 6th to save fuel on long trips.

True about the engines, but 60 mph @ 3K RPM isn't where I want to be! :thumbdwn:

You hit the nail on the head as to gas mileage, but also interior noise levels. It's almost as though the car wants to get shifted into 6th gear, and I'm guessing that's why BMW went to a 6-speed for this car soon after my model year. . .dammit.

 

[TitaniumCranium]

Yikes. . .was hoping for far less costly solution. Crap.

True about the engines, but 60 mph @ 3K RPM isn't where I want to be! :thumbdwn:

You hit the nail on the head as to gas mileage, but also interior noise levels. It's almost as though the car wants to get shifted into 6th gear, and I'm guessing that's why BMW went to a 6-speed for this car soon after my model year. . .dammit.

I'm using the auto 330's 3.38 diff. My 60mph cruise rpm's are at about 2300 or so, and about 2700 at 70mph. It's pretty good on gas too. If I'm running at a pretty constant 60-65mph I'm usually getting about 28-29 mpg. As for interior noise levels, I'm running conti dws tires, which are pretty quiet, coupled with 2300 rpm or so the interior is pretty nice on stock sport exhaust. I'm also running a GruppeM intake so that makes that side of the engine a little louder but still quiet enough to be pleasant on long drives.