[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by E92inAZ

It sure did freak out. With that GM plugged in to this DME they're speaking the same language but using the wrong words. It was chaos.
A local shop pointed me toward an online based specialist coder that they use so I've sent out a query. We'll see what that yields. A few other places never called me back - including the service manager at the local dealership - but that's pretty typical for PHX, there is NO service here. Not even the most basic courtesy.... I digress.
Today's experiment leaves me thinking I'd have to find a coder willing to reassign each pin individually, if that's even possible, or worth it.
I have to keep reminding myself that the transmission is superfluous. The problem was the engine and now I have a new engine. I got a screaming deal on an engine with just 10k miles on it and thought it would be great to have a whole new(ish) drivetrain so I talked the guy into the transmission too.

Anyway, I'll start looking up bell housings to make sure I'm able to put the ZF on this new engine (does anyone know, are the bolt patterns the same?) My filter and pan for the ZF arrive Thursday and until some mystical coder tells me otherwise, I'll plan on putting a refreshed 140k mile ZF back on the car.
I'll probably sell the GM with 10k miles that I just prepped for install and bank the cash for when I blow up the ZF on the track a few months from now... only then, I'll know to replace a ZF with another friggin ZF!!!

I can't thank you all enough for your sharing your knowledge, experience, time and input thus far - hassmaschine, nsjames, rjahl, and ptpending. You're what makes this cite so special and keeps all our budget bought used and maintained with salvaged bits bimmers on the road and as ever I will post updates as my small contribution to the database

all N52s are the same bolt pattern. In fact BMW has been using the same basic bellhousing pattern on the small-six engines since the 70's at least.

I think the ZF is the way to go, it's pretty much better than the GM in most ways, especially since you can probably tune it. Since you have it out I agree replacing the mechatronic seal makes sens.

[nsjames]

as the owner of a 6l, but having expereicned a ZF with the XHP software, ZF with XHP is far superior.

[E92inAZ]

Update: I scooted the ZF over to next to the car, unplugged the GM and plugged in the ZF. (It's a thankfully long cord)
Fired right up and runs beautifully.
No codes.

So that confirms the ZF goes back in once parts are installed and I didn't irreparably harm my DME

Also, credit for the idea for this experiment must be given to my brother, the practical genius of the family.