philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 19:59:56 GMT
|
ive always had a hankering for a 635bmw and sooner or later I'm gonna need a tow car for my spaceframe mini project, so I'm thinking it might be time to forfill those urges and get a big 6.
problem is i keep seing bargin sixes in the local area but there all autos and i realy want a manual. i could hold out for one but a real cheap 6 has popped up and I'm worderin if its viable to chane one to a manual
so - whats involved?
what box do i need and where could it come from eg E28 5 series
is the prop the same, is it the right length?
are all the mounts the same?
whats the cost involved and is it the worlds biggest pain in d ass to do?
any info would be realy appreciated even more genral things as to what to look out for on sixes - if i do get one it, will be me first bm :-)
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 20:32:35 GMT
|
auto - man: beware there are 2 different (technically 3) gear boxes of differing age and price. first is the split bell housing box fitted to e12 5 series and early e28s. £350- £500 also indestructable. second is the late e28 528 box cheapest and least strong. thrid is the e28 m535/ e34 535i box. strong unit not too pricey (£150-200). the six was 1" shorter in the floor than a 5 but ther props will interchange (just put a 6 prop on an e28). also needed will be a flywheel, if you can get one, choose a 528i e28 one for lightness. clutches are all the same diameter but have varying pressure plate ratings. youll need the appropriate g'box x-member for the box you use. clutch master cylinder, lines, resivior and slave cylinder- all e28/ e12, similar but some 6's were based on each model. transmision linkage is also needed (they use external linkage boxes). pedals change over onto the box, you do not have to change the pedal box. fit a spigot bearing and thats pretty much it except for wiring. the best way to convert is get a donor with the appropriate parts. as for other things to look out for, rusty wings make the car about as desirable as the clap (£200+ each if you can get them). bumpers are enormously expensive. front and rear valances are no longer available. rear axle bushes are perenial favourites as are front susp arms. big wheels tend to knacker steering boxes, and original metric tyres (if it had them) are £140 at the cheapest and £220 at the most, each. cams wear out too. fantastic cars, just get a good one or prepare to graft (like most cars really)
|
|
|
|
philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 21:23:49 GMT
|
take it the greaxbox crossmembers all have the same mounting points to the floor pan? what would be the best donor other than a dead six? do any of the 5 series use the same linkage box?
thankyou for your advice.
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 21:35:38 GMT
|
Cheapest way I would have thought is buying a manual car for spares or repairs. Still waiting for my 635 should have it this weekend .
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 21:37:03 GMT
|
Is the split bell housing box the one with the dogleg first getrag 265?
|
|
|
|
philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 21:47:33 GMT
|
its a damd shame there all autos, would be ok if i had some more cash!
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2006 22:02:27 GMT
|
there was a rough manual for less than 100 the other day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is the split bell housing box the one with the dogleg first getrag 265? not all of them are doglegs. doglegs have 1:1 5th gear and are pretty hardcore for the street. the other type is an over drive 5th, which is nicer to drive. doglegs make upto £500, O/D's make upto £350. gearbox crossmembers mount in variuos places on the floorpan, but use sliding captive nuts for infinite possibilties. cheapest donor would be e28 5 series, as these were not deemed to be as cool as the 6 by "granny gear". I have an e12 based 633 for sale at work, its an auto but has some manual bits in the boot. I have the rest of the bits on the shelf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 17:48:28 GMT
|
sorry to hijack the thread but are the E12 based series easy to get bits for? I should be getting mine this weekend and its a 1978 635csi.
Whats the differences between the early and late. From what I can gather rear suspension arms, front suspension and brakes are different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 19:20:42 GMT
|
sorry to hijack the thread but are the E12 based series easy to get bits for? I should be getting mine this weekend and its a 1978 635csi. Whats the differences between the early and late. From what I can gather rear suspension arms, front suspension and brakes are different. more than you'd think. f. suspension and steering, rear suspension, diff, possibly engine and wiring (depends on year), dash, instruments, bumpers, valances and complete brake system. bmws are good for interchangeability on the mechanical side, but the e12 and the e24 derived from it are pretty well sorted, mechanically. parts for any sixes are getting rarer by the day. what with them rusting away and bmw stopping listing the parts. I still have some s/h 6 parts at work. if you happen ask many of the specialists about bmws older than 1985, most seem to tell you to p1ss off (happened to me a couple of weeks ago). fritz bits are listed as a 6 specialist, www.fritzsbits.co.uk/ oh, and the model code for a 6 of any year is an E24. any BMW probs contact me pm, email or here www.angusbmw.co.uk/ my place of work
|
|
|
|
|
philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 20:28:21 GMT
|
thanks for all the info on the thread
ive got to get rid of a few things first to make room for a 6 series so think ill be looking at the end of the year by which time should have a bit more cash (mini project and the house are sapping it all at the moment!)
been looking round though - missing out on a manual highline on the trader @ 2800! doh, i just aint got enough. :-(
was thinking bout the problem of auto to manual today and had a quick thought about 730's and dong an engine swap to a six simplely because i seen a 730 going for 200 pounds! thought of a v8 six series is a nice one! but be guesing its a big task in terms or wiring- which i don't partically enjoy.
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 20:38:03 GMT
|
thought of a v8 six series is a nice one! not if you use the m60 bmw v8 it isn't! powerful it might be but reliable it ain't! even if you get one thats had the nicosil replacd by liners, they are still an overly complex and problematic engine with overheating tendencies they are also massive in size, you have to take the manifolds off to get them out of an e38 7 series (the car that could take 2 small blocks side by side in its engine bay). stick a yank v8 in if you must, but I used to get sick seeing ads where people have done this, "fitted 200bhp chevy v8 in 635csi" great, you just removed the 215 bhp 3.5 to fit a 200 bhp 5.7. point
|
|
|
|
philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 20:45:50 GMT
|
just been looking at www.fritzsbits.co.uk and noticed that they do e24 glass fibre front wings and also mention compleate front ends!
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|
philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 20:51:31 GMT
|
sorry, bit slow on old keys! i had heared bout the nikle thingy on the boars of those v8s! never actually had the chance to look under the bonnet of a 7. so if the V8 is big then the V12 must be like a plane engine?
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 20:59:36 GMT
|
never looked at their website, only found it tonight. the one useful piece of info in retro rag be warned: the latest breakers on our site are about 3 years old and v12s are tiny compare to 8s, 'cos they're 60 degree v rather than 90 completely O/T, this pic demonstrates how big the v8 is in an e39 5 it might not even physically fit into a 6!
|
|
|
|
philly
Part of things
Posts: 159
|
|
Mar 21, 2006 21:16:43 GMT
|
lol see what you mean! your obviously a very knowlegable fella so in your opion what would be the best engine swap into a 6 in terms of cost affectiveness, ease/ relitive ease of work, donor availablity and perfomace gains?
not saying its something i definatly want to do or that its somthing that would be nessasary (218 ponies is plenty for me)- just more a case of thinking about it in terms of getting round the auto problem in a different way or just making somthing a little different - if you know what i mean?
|
|
spaceframe mini project, bmw 635csi, mx5
|
|