6 Speed Manual Transmission Rebuild Questions

wrdriggs · 10-24-2016, 11:56 AM

Hey guys -

Having an issue with 2nd gear in my 6 speed. Pulled it out of the car this morning and have called around to a few local places. Seems like everywhere i call, everyone says they do not rebuild these transmissions because it is too hard to get parts for? I searched ZF's site, and tried to send them an email but it wouldnt go through.

Didnt know if there was anyone on here who has taken on apart before that could give some advise, has any sort of tech data, or knows who sells parts?

Thanks!

GottWhat · 10-24-2016, 12:11 PM

I suggest checking http://www.car-part.com/ to see if you can find a used one.

Sshec152 · 10-24-2016, 12:32 PM

I remember a thread a month or so ago about the same issue, I believe the consensus was nobody produces hard parts for these transmissions. I think he ended up buying a used trans.

bigdaddyaaron · 10-24-2016, 12:38 PM

No one makes parts for this trans. Only option is to get another trans

wrdriggs · 10-24-2016, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GottWhat

I suggest checking http://www.car-part.com/ to see if you can find a used one.

I have checked car-part before. Ideally I would like to rebuild the one I have currently because it only has 60k. The used ones ive been finding are all 100K plus. Ill go that route if I have to, but dont want to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sshec152

I remember a thread a month or so ago about the same issue, I believe the consensus was nobody produces hard parts for these transmissions. I think he ended up buying a used trans.

The car went down about a month ago, could have been my thread

lol

RJ_ · 10-24-2016, 12:57 PM

I was curious about this too. These transmissions seem very stout and could turn out to be very popular for this platform and others once more end up in the used parts market. Rebuilding would be very advantageous.

DirtKurt · 10-24-2016, 04:42 PM

Diffsonline.com rebuilds them, street or race setups

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 10-25-2016, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtKurt

Diffsonline.com rebuilds them, street or race setups

Cool, didn't know about them.

http://diffsonline.com/zf-6-speed-ra...l#.WA7b9mczVX8

M-335 · 10-25-2016, 12:33 AM

This company has them as well. Look under products, select bmw & you will see the 335i ZF tranny under the E46 section at the bottom. http://www.europeantransmissions.com...W.htm#3_series

M-335 · 10-25-2016, 12:46 AM

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...007571423.html

bigdaddyaaron · 10-25-2016, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtKurt

Diffsonline.com rebuilds them, street or race setups

This doesn't address the real issues that this trans has. 1st/2nd gear synchro is the main issue it seems like. They do the polishing, which is cool and all but there is no real upgrade happening to justify spending $5,000 on a trans that has all oem parts. As a reference, my buddy got 4 straight cut gears from ppg installed in his transmission for his wrx for about the same price. This just seems gimmicky

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW M335

This company has them as well. Look under products, select bmw & you will see the 335i ZF tranny under the E46 section at the bottom. http://www.europeantransmissions.com...W.htm#3_series

This is the auto

DirtKurt · 10-25-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddyaaron

This doesn't address the real issues that this trans has. 1st/2nd gear synchro is the main issue it seems like. They do the polishing, which is cool and all but there is no real upgrade happening to justify spending $5,000 on a trans that has all oem parts. As a reference, my buddy got 4 straight cut gears from ppg installed in his transmission for his wrx for about the same price. This just seems gimmicky

This is the auto

Why don't you call and ask them about your concern. The question was if these transmissions were being re built.

bigdaddyaaron · 10-25-2016, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtKurt

Why don't you call and ask them about your concern. The question was if these transmissions were being re built.

Rebuilt or upgrade, doesn't really matter. Essentially no parts exist. I just emailed him and he said that parts are backordered and he is not currently rebuilding them.

DirtKurt · 10-25-2016, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddyaaron

Rebuilt or upgrade, doesn't really matter. Essentially no parts exist. I just emailed him and he said that parts are backordered and he is not currently rebuilding them.

Well that answers that.

TrollToll · 10-25-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddyaaron

This doesn't address the real issues that this trans has. 1st/2nd gear synchro is the main issue it seems like. They do the polishing, which is cool and all but there is no real upgrade happening to justify spending $5,000 on a trans that has all oem parts. As a reference, my buddy got 4 straight cut gears from ppg installed in his transmission for his wrx for about the same price. This just seems gimmicky

Do those straight cut gears whine?

wrdriggs · 10-25-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrollToll

Do those straight cut gears whine?

we're getting a little off topic, but of course straight cut gears whine.

10-25-2016, 01:49 PM

lol

Mit_Boost · 10-25-2016, 02:23 PM

ABR Houston was looking into aftermarket bellhousing's for N54 builds. IIRC, they were looking at proven auto trans to swap in (TH400), but they'll probably be able to advise you on either (A) upgrading the 6MT or (B) swapping in a non-OEM MT, like a Tremec.

wrdriggs · 10-26-2016, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mit_Boost

ABR Houston was looking into aftermarket bellhousing's for N54 builds. IIRC, they were looking at proven auto trans to swap in (TH400), but they'll probably be able to advise you on either (A) upgrading the 6MT or (B) swapping in a non-OEM MT, like a Tremec.

I did call them - their advise was to buy a known good used one, or new from BMW - said they hardly ever break and nobody can get parts for them.

Donutz · 10-26-2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrollToll

Do those straight cut gears whine?

Definitely

https://youtu.be/eSJ-HzNWJGM

bigdaddyaaron · 10-26-2016, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrollToll

Do those straight cut gears whine?

Yeah it sounds like he has a supercharger in 1st-4th lol

whyzee125 · 11-04-2016, 10:47 AM

Find someone parting out with low mileage.

10-24-2016, 11:56 AM	#1
wrdriggs Private 10 Rep 72 Posts Drives: F10 M Sport Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Canton CT iTrader: (0)	6 Speed Manual Transmission Rebuild Questions Hey guys - Having an issue with 2nd gear in my 6 speed. Pulled it out of the car this morning and have called around to a few local places. Seems like everywhere i call, everyone says they do not rebuild these transmissions because it is too hard to get parts for? I searched ZF's site, and tried to send them an email but it wouldnt go through. Didnt know if there was anyone on here who has taken on apart before that could give some advise, has any sort of tech data, or knows who sells parts? Thanks!
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10-24-2016, 12:11 PM	#2
GottWhat Lieutenant 196 Rep 458 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i MT Sport Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Shelby Township, MI iTrader: (0)	I suggest checking http://www.car-part.com/ to see if you can find a used one. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i 6-Speed w/Sport Package (Montego Blue)
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10-24-2016, 12:38 PM	#4
bigdaddyaaron Private First Class 75 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	No one makes parts for this trans. Only option is to get another trans
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10-24-2016, 12:57 PM	#6
RJ_ Baby-faced Assassin 1204 Rep 152 Posts Drives: when car isn't broke. Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Department of the Posterior iTrader: (0)	I was curious about this too. These transmissions seem very stout and could turn out to be very popular for this platform and others once more end up in the used parts market. Rebuilding would be very advantageous.
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10-24-2016, 04:42 PM	#7
DirtKurt Private 66 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Diffsonline.com rebuilds them, street or race setups
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10-24-2016, 12:32 PM	#3
Sshec152 Private First Class 43 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Delaware county iTrader: (0)	I remember a thread a month or so ago about the same issue, I believe the consensus was nobody produces hard parts for these transmissions. I think he ended up buying a used trans.
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10-25-2016, 12:33 AM	#9
M-335 Private First Class 59 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2010 335 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	This company has them as well. Look under products, select bmw & you will see the 335i ZF tranny under the E46 section at the bottom. http://www.europeantransmissions.com...W.htm#3_series
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10-25-2016, 12:46 AM	#10
M-335 Private First Class 59 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2010 335 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...007571423.html
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10-25-2016, 01:49 PM	#17
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	lol
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10-25-2016, 02:23 PM	#18
Mit_Boost Captain 135 Rep 691 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	ABR Houston was looking into aftermarket bellhousing's for N54 builds. IIRC, they were looking at proven auto trans to swap in (TH400), but they'll probably be able to advise you on either (A) upgrading the 6MT or (B) swapping in a non-OEM MT, like a Tremec. __________________ Results >
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11-04-2016, 10:47 AM	#22
whyzee125 Brigadier General 2004 Rep 4,031 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Find someone parting out with low mileage.
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