5-speed conversion

I'm in the NW Arkansas Area and would like some info on 5-speed conversions for an e32 with a zf 4hp 22.

Are there any shops or someone willing to do it in this area, region?

I've found several "how to" instructions but I'm fairly sure I can't do it. Anybody have an estimate on parts/labor/total project time?

I have no idea about an estimate, but (you knew someone would say this) don't think it would be at all cost-effective.

1990 was the last year a manual was offered in the American-spec 7-Series; selling your 1989 and using the conversion money to buy one of the [exceedingly] rare 5-speed versions would probably be a more fruitful option (as well as buying a manual 5-Series).

Unless you're attached to your car...

yea, I know. Smart thing to do is pay off the thing first, before I do anything to it. Guess I can keep pretending by using the "manual" mode.

I'm really considering getting a MANUAL 1992+ 3-Series to replace my Acura as a second car (my 535i is naturally an automatic also). That way I can have a choice whether I want to drive auto in a larger sedan or stick in a smaller/lighter coupe or sedan. I believe a 5-speed would be more in character with a 3 than a 7 anyway. Just my $0.02.

I wanted the 5-speed because I miss 1st gear. The trans was going out and I though for sure I'd have to replace it soon. But I decided to spend my entire day today devoted to making it work. Man what a difference, night and day. I have a lot more torque and it shifts silky smooth. All I really did was "wash" it out with new fluid. I went and bought a bunch of Dextron-III flushed that thing out. I filled, drained, filled so more, drove around the block, rinse, repeat. It's about at 80% of where I would like it to be operating. The final flush will be with 2 loads of Amsoil. Basically I don't need the 5-speed anymore. as long as I'm rolling when I want to accelerate, manual mode makes me happy now. People don't give the 7's enough credit when it comes to handling or acceleration. I think mine hadles just as good as my friend's 528e, but mine is faster. I was getting 0-60 times under 8 seconds today on a totally stock car. It was high 9's before the trans work.

I think my next car will be an M3. You're right. It will be very nice to have a choice.

That's interesting. I should try to flush the transmission on my Legend, which now has 201K miles. Because I was ignorant about such things, I drove the car from 150K until now without ever changing the fluid :uhoh: . It started slipping in second and shifting 1-2-4 and refusing to downshift very much around 180-185K. It's the same way now, but still driveable even after I hit a truck back in April :mad: . Perhaps by flushing it I can improve the poor performance (although I wouldn't blame the transmission because it HAS lasted over 200K).

Now that I know all this, I'll take really good care of my 535i transmission, especially since that car only has 138K. I've been told that flushing it twice a year and using Amsoil is great to extend its life.


E36 M3's are still very expensive for me ($10-15K). My mechanic has a 1997 coupe he's bored and stroked to create 300 hp. That's the only M3 I've been in so I can't compare to stock, but it's CRAZY fast! When he accelerated hard, I felt my grin widening until I think it actually passed UNDER my ears!! I couldn't help myself!

My budge for my next car is only about $5K, but I think I can get a nice 1993-1994 325 coupe or sedan for that (manual of course). I may get a second generation Legend instead, as I really love the way my 1990 drives and will miss it when I finally get rid of it. I guess a few test drives will make my decision.