So here's the thing. My e30 needs a longer 1st gear, and a diff swap is not the correct option. It could also use a closer ratio. The easy button is a 260/5 dogleg transmission from a European M3, or 635csi (I believe), but this trans is expensive. Like $2k+ expensive, plus shipping, etc. Oh and I have to find a good one because they are apparently very hard to rebuild. And I'd have to source the rare bellhousings to fit the M20 with this trans. Issues all round.
Wikipedia tells me the Jaguar XJ40 uses a G260/265 transmission as well! The ratios are good, basically a mid-step between the stock e30 g260 and the C/R dogleg box for 1-4, with a nice overdrive for 5th. Pretty much perfect for a street driven car.
I know nothing about Jaguars. Are the bellhousings similar? Are the bellhousings removable on the jaguar g260/265 transmissions? Could I swap internals, and is this the best option?
Either way, I could use some help. I'd really like better gearing, it seems to be a vastly under-appreciated aspect in the e30 world.
I have nothing useful to add, but the thread title is a winner for sure.
Are you planning on sourcing the trans here or in Europe? I've seen exactly zero manual XJ40's and one manual XJS (with the AJ6 engine) on this continent so finding one in a breakers is going to be tough.
What engine is in front of that box in the Jaguar? Keep in mind, the E30 trans/bellhousing accounts for the engine rotated toward the passenger side.
So that could cause issues with shifter alignment. I forget now how we dealt with when using the E30 transmission with the E36 engines.
Good luck finding a Jaguar g260/265. Even for the Brits, it's rare and sought after by the JEC racing crowd.
This guy might have a BMW trans for you.
z31maniac wrote:
What engine is in front of that box in the Jaguar?
I forget now how we dealt with when using the E30 transmission with the E36 engines.
M5x swaps, the trans leans 10*. You twist the linkage and deal with it.
Not sure what engine. But from searching, this transmission seems almost impossible to get ahold of. Jaguar owners are now switching to BMW G260 units because they are crazy difficult and expensive to rebuild. Most don't care about the change in ratios it seems.
Playing with an online gear ratio calculator, I've found the first 5 gears of the G420 E46 M3 6 speed with a 3.25 diff is damned near a perfect match for the C/R G260 dogleg trans with a 4.10. The dogleg is a $3k trans, the E46 is MUCH cheaper and easier to get ahold of. So, that's the plan. Plus, 6 speeds are cool :)
The Jaguar trans would be awesome, but further research shows I don't have the coin and time to find one. If anyone finds one, please let me know!
Just curious, why do you need a longer first gear?
mr2peak wrote:
z31maniac wrote:
What engine is in front of that box in the Jaguar?
I forget now how we dealt with when using the E30 transmission with the E36 engines.
M5x swaps, the trans leans 10*. You twist the linkage and deal with it.
Not sure what engine. But from searching, this transmission seems almost impossible to get ahold of. Jaguar owners are now switching to BMW G260 units because they are crazy difficult and expensive to rebuild. Most don't care about the change in ratios it seems.
Playing with an online gear ratio calculator, I've found the first 5 gears of the G420 E46 M3 6 speed with a 3.25 diff is damned near a perfect match for the C/R G260 dogleg trans with a 4.10. The dogleg is a $3k trans, the E46 is MUCH cheaper and easier to get ahold of. So, that's the plan. Plus, 6 speeds are cool :)
The Jaguar trans would be awesome, but further research shows I don't have the coin and time to find one. If anyone finds one, please let me know!
Ahh that's right, there was a guy on the forum that used to cut, reweld and reinforce the linkage for that.
