Posted by Troy Rudolph on August 13, 1998 at 09:11:56:
In Reply to: Automatic to Standard Transmission Change posted by Peter on August 12, 1998 at 17:06:13:
The two 5-speed transmissions that will fit easily into an E12 are 1) the Getrag 265 5-speed overdrive used in the '80-'81 5, 6, and 7 series cars and the '85 535i, and 2) the Getrag 262CR close-ratio used in the early 80s Euro BMWs and the E30 M3.
There are others that can be used like the Getrag 280, but they have no speedo drive, so you have to convert to an electronic speedo and ...
I don't think the 528e used the 265. You can check the Metric Mechanic website (http://www.metricmechanic.com) for tips on how to ID the trans.
To convert from auto to 5-spd manual, you'll need the following parts from the donor car:
1) transmision,
2) driveshaft,
3) shifter w/ mountings,
4) speedo cable,
5) crossmember and mounts,
6) clutch master and slave cylinders and the line that connects them,
7) complete clutch pedal assy. including the hanger and actuating rod for the clutch master cyl, and
8) Some Redline MTL to fill the new trans. (It makes a difference.)
You should be able to find all of this for $800 - $1100 depending on the mileage and your area.
The 4-spd to 5-spd conversion is not difficult. The most difficult task, was to "bench press" the 95 pound transmission into the exact position and the hold it up while sliding it forward to push the input shaft into the clutch disc. You have the extra tasks of installing a clutch pedal and related hydraulics.
Hope this helps.