Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalworks
Thanks for the update williamX5. I wish I could do a 6mt swap on the X5. I currently have no manuals in my life and after spending the weekend driving a buddies 6mt F30 a little bit... I realize how much I miss rowing my own gears.
I think most of what is stopping people from doing this is the lack of trail blazing (you help a lot here), the cost of components necessary, and of course the time to accomplish. Most who would be interested in this are older gents, have kids, house, etc to tend to and so can not afford the time necessary to perform and then troubleshoot a swap like this. The guys who can afford the time to do swaps are doing them in e30's as the barrier to entry, cost and technology wise, is much lower.
You are a hero in my book. Keep up the good work.  I'm hoping to one day follow the trail you've blazed. |
Thanks so much for the support!!! I'm glad I am not boring those on here!!
I had discussed the idea with my son of setting up an "assembly line" per se'.... I would make everything on the bench, to exacting specs, right down to wiring harness... Pull the patient into the shop and swap everything out in a day or so... Then get the patient back the owner... This would be for those that want it done, but don't want to do it themselves... Or those that don't have the time... I would even loan out my converted version while the patient was in the OR.... BUT!!!! I don't have my shop yet... It is LONG overdue, and I'm getting anxious about getting it done...
Having done the conversion, I have a good idea of how to go about doing it faster the second time around. I think my son and I (and any volunteers) could get it done rather quickly... Specially (technical term), if all the parts are ready to drop in... I have two pedal assemblies, one hydraulic line, all the switches and such, trans cross member, and associated hoses... I do need a few more items to have a fully complete compliment of parts... Shifter arm and rod is needed... Shifter can be sourced from the 540i, but I found the Z3 shifter the best all around... Shifter trim and boot... Yada yada yada... I should get the drive line shop to make me another one... They take forever, but so far have proven worthy...
I'll need to take inventory and go from there... Along with getting exact measurements... I'll work on all that this weekend if time and weather permits...
Cheers for now!!!!!