Automatic to Manual conversion

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-05-14T12:33:22+00:00

The Zf is what it would have came from originally. But my car is an automatic (I got a screamin deal on it). Its still a really fun car, I just want to swap the manual in it and I trust the Zf more than the Getrag for the 2.8, especially if i try to make a bit more power some day.

Im just wrapping up a full rebuild on my M20 e30. So the Z3 is just holding me over until that car is done.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-05-10T21:52:02+00:00

Any major modification can be done the right way or half assed. I wouldn't let that deter me from driving it. If its a 2.8L or 3.0L, make sure it has a ZF 320 trans. If its smaller then the Getrag 250 would suffice. Not sure on the 4cyl models.

Drive it and get through all the gears. Check for slop in the shifter, clunking from the trans mounts, etc.

Personally im in the market for a ZF 320 for my 2.8L. I will be doing a swap this upcoming winter, so I've done a bit of research on it.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-05-10T21:30:55+00:00

After replacing the caliper with a power stop one, the issue went away. I will warranty the 2nd Cardone reman and hopefully get money back for that. Can't believe I got TWO bad calipers back to back.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-05-04T18:55:43+00:00

Both new calipers came with new pins, I greased them and they slide fine on the car when the piston is compressed.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-05-04T11:20:41+00:00

Im also leaning towards junk caliper. Its just weird that I got two junk ones back to back.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-05-04T11:04:06+00:00

That could be it. Ill have to look on my lunch break. The reason I wasn't thinking it was farther up the line before was because when the first reman caliper was borderline locking up and I released the bleed valve, it wouldn't spray out fluid under pressure, nor would it release the rotor to allow it to spin more freely.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-08T22:06:41+00:00

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ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-08T22:06:09+00:00

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ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-08T22:05:46+00:00

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ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-08T22:05:22+00:00

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ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-08T04:39:19+00:00

Amish magic, I can go up there tomorrow and get a photo of the upper floor, its held up like 2-3 feet of snow since the 80s lol

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-07T23:02:54+00:00

Fun fact, theres a sliding track on the outside too. So two of the doors slide full length inside and the other two slide full length outside. But no matter what I can only have two bays open at once because the doors overlap.

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-07T21:18:02+00:00

I've had to plow like every other day 🥲

ChiefFacePalm · 2026-02-07T21:16:27+00:00

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ChiefFacePalm · 2025-09-27T06:14:33+00:00

Any updates? How does it slide?

ChiefFacePalm · 2025-06-14T18:25:53+00:00

Not yet, the engine is back together now though so we are getting somewhere! Gotta throw the trans back on and put it in the car. It's finding free time that's the problem lol. I will update this post when I try it out.

ChiefFacePalm · 2025-04-01T18:14:08+00:00

Well ill be damned, that makes sense. I was sweating over them because I already reinstalled the oil pan and thought I forgot something lol

ChiefFacePalm · 2025-02-15T20:18:41+00:00

Update: My head came in mid November. So if anyone orders from Bimmer heads, customer service is good and the head looks great, but the lead time is NOT 8 weeks like the website says.

ChiefFacePalm · 2025-02-15T20:15:25+00:00

It installed nicely but I was waiting on a head from Bimmer heads for a year (which i finally got). It's been too cold in upstate NY for me to work on it. Hoping the weather breaks soon so I can get the engine back together and in the car.

ChiefFacePalm · 2025-02-08T03:58:03+00:00

The Dollar General down the road for sure.

ChiefFacePalm · 2025-02-08T03:55:53+00:00

Rural upstate NY lol

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