Was there ever a six speed box for the Z

[johnz3]

Hi. Please subject above

[Brian4]

Nope it wouldn't something to do with the manifold/exhaust pipe position and the chassis rails.

[johnz3]

Ok. Thanks. Having another car with a six speed box I feel that I am often trying to drop it into sixth gear.

[Brian4]

I think the six speed was developed after the Z3 was designed so they never thought about it.

People will call me a philistine but the steptronic box is the way to go ours is always in the right gear and changes quicker than I could with a clutch.

[Rafolian]

Why would you need a six speed box anyway? My 2.8 has enough torque to get away with a three speed one!!!!!!

[Del]

Why would you need a six speed box anyway?

6 gears (or sometimes more) is a popular feature today - at high speed motorway cruising the car is typically running at around 2000 rpm and achieving high MPG which seems to be a main preoccupation of manufacturers today.

[pingu]

I feel the M could do with a sixth gear. 70mph is around 3,000 rpm. It is possible to fit a six-speed box, but you need to have a propshaft custom-made.

It is something I have considered, but not put any serious thought to.

[Del]

I feel the M could do with a sixth gear.

I agree, it would be an ideal candidate. I don't know much about the gearboxes in the Z4s but I had a drive in a Z4 Alpina once and that had a 6 speed box.

[Clivebse]

When the Z3M was launch bmw said it had a 5 speed box because the tunnel couldn't take a6 speed that was in the e36 m3
This was their official line

[pingu]

When the Z3M was launch bmw said it had a 5 speed box because the tunnel couldn't take a6 speed that was in the e36 m3
This was their official line

The mods that I have seen online have used the E36 M3 six-speed box. I suspect the real reason is that they didn't want to redesign anything.

Google brings up this...

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showt ... Diff-build

I wouldn't pay $3,500 to do the mod, but would hope to be able to do it for the cost of a salvage gearbox, a new propshaft and £100 for bits and bobs. He reckons that he is getting 27mpg(US), so it is a waste of time and money doing it for economy reasons.

[Mike Fishwick]

It IS possible to fit a six-speed gearbox to a Z3! The 3 litre Z4 gearbox fits easily, and only costs £250 or so from a breaker. It required that the front section of the prop shaft be shortened by 40 mm, but otherwise is a straight swap. Being designed for the larger Z4 engines it will handle the torque easily.

The higher top gear (about 10%) gives more relaxed and economical high speed cruising, without sacrificing the ability to easily crawl through traffic jams in first gear.

I even know someone who has done it.

[BladeRunner919]

I wouldn't pay $3,500 to do the mod, but would hope to be able to do it for the cost of a salvage gearbox, a new propshaft and £100 for bits and bobs. He reckons that he is getting 27mpg(US), so it is a waste of time and money doing it for economy reasons.

One reason the conversion is so expensive in the States is that they have to import the box from Europe. I gather the required 6-speed box was never used in the US. You'll notice it's always referred to as a the 'Euro 6 speed conversion'.

[Mike Fishwick]

I find that going between my Z3 and our Golf TDI I find that the 6-speed gearbox is very handy - like the Z3 the Golf has buckets of torque, but this is complimented by the six close gear ratios, which provide a gear for every occasion. It is quite natural to change from fourth to sixth gear, or sixth to third, second to fourth etc.

[Deano1712]

Im surprised more people haven't done a 6-speed conversion. Pal if mine in Carlisle did it a few years ago. Easy job, just needs a driveshaft mod.

[Brian H]

I've read a lot about the six speed conversion on the U.S. forums a year or so ago, back then it certainly did not sound as simple as changing the box and shortening the drive shaft. I am somewhat encouraged by both comments from Mike and Mark, Hmmm time for some homework me thinks.

[pingu]

I've read a lot about the six speed conversion on the U.S. forums a year or so ago, back then it certainly did not sound as simple as changing the box and shortening the drive shaft. I am somewhat encouraged by both comments from Mike and Mark, Hmmm time for some homework me thinks.

The clutch would need some serious homework.

Also, be aware that the number in the gearbox type is the torque the box can handle (S5D 320Z) is the M gearbox. The 320 means that it can handle 320Nm of torque.

[bertiejaffa]

check out Deanos blog.... he fitted a 6 speed box....

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26548

and a V8 to go with it

[Jonttt]

Im surprised more people haven't done a 6-speed conversion. Pal if mine in Carlisle did it a few years ago. Easy job, just needs a driveshaft mod.

Lol I remember him proudly showing off his 6 speed knob