[Alex09_335]

Originally Posted by Mit_Boost

If you're serious about a dogbox conversion, have you tried contacting VAC Motorsports yet? In addition, I can't imagine the OEM DME playing very nice with a dogbox. The $20k dogbox conversion will probably turn into a $30k project when you end up converting to a Syvecs in the end.

That said, I agree with others and would suggest investing the DCT conversion and maybe even combining it with the Syvecs (probably still less than the dogbox alone). The Syvecs will help you have much more control over everything, in particular the DCT. Just look at how effective it's been on the R35 GTR and TT Huracans.

The OEM DME doesn't control a manual transmission, so they play nice. For a gearset kit the car already has to be manual since you use the stock housing to replace the internal gears.

I already know of a local Toronto based E90 running the Samsonas 6 speed dogbox. The Samsonas 6 speed retails at $5500 and is a complete gearbox replacement including rear housing. This option would require drive axle modification and matching clutch + flywheel. There are other full race modified E90s out there running these aswel.

The PPG would be a drop in mod keeping all exsisting drivetrain intact, using stock housing, and replacing the factory synco helical gears for dog engagement straight cuts. Installing would be the same as mounting a factory assembly so pretty much any mechanic can do it which would save a lot of cost compared to the Samsonas custom drivetrain mods/install. Only the first prototype unit costs 25k and would be mounted in the GS6-53DZ PPG used to design the gears. Subsequent sets would be gear set kits that install into the Getrag GS6-53DZ of the end user and at their location.

The gearset option would be the most economical and true bolt on mods. At 1 or 2 units produced it won't be economical due to the upfront design cost when compared to custom drivetrains/Samsonas. But at 10+ units the scales would tip in favour of gear sets. They require no custom drivetrains, and related fabrication labour to install which would be a significant cost related to Samsonas swaps. Only need a trip to the localtransmission rebuilder to install the parts, or it competent and you have the tools/lift install yourself.

Vac motor sports does have dogbox gearsets for older bmws nothing for E90s tough. Nothing for any of the newer BMWs that run the Getrag GS6-53DZ. I'll eventually contact all the motorsports shops that sell BMW driveline parts once u know what a production unit will cost. A few of the other cars using the GS6-53DZ are pretty common on the track and in touring car racing. They are found in 6 speed E82/88, E90/91/92/93, E60/61, F10/11, E63/64, pretty large compatibility and also would cover the E9X M3.

[Alex09_335]

Forgot to post the pricing from Pfitzner

For an order of 10 units would be around $8000 per unit

With more units can get down to the 6000 range but most performance parts retailers I spoke withwon’t stock a shelf full of gearsets. It’s more something they would have 1 or 2 units and re order as they sell. So realistically 10 units is the best to hope for.

[Aus335iguy]

Originally Posted by Alex09_335

Forgot to post the pricing from Pfitzner

For an order of 10 units would be around $8000 per unit

With more units can get down to the 6000 range but most performance parts retailers I spoke withwonÂ’t stock a shelf full of gearsets. ItÂ’s more something they would have 1 or 2 units and re order as they sell. So realistically 10 units is the best to hope for.

Vargas is running a sequential manual box and I believe it's a samsonas.

[Alex09_335]

Originally Posted by Aus335iguy

Vargas is running a sequential manual box and I believe it's a samsonas.

Yeah samsonas has a universal dogbox kit that can be used with many vehicles. That’s pretty much the only option right now for the 335 since there is no drop in kit.

Problem with the universal kits is the entire drive line needs to be modified which adds a lot custom fabrication work and down time. A drop in kit uses the stock transmission housing thats compatible with the existing driveline components. This is appealing since it can be installed into a housing salvaged from the wreckers, gear kit installed then just a simple transmission swap. As a bonus when selling the car can swap back to stock to sell the modified gearbox if desired. Could also install it into the original transmission but it would lead to downtime again, the transmission will need to be sent to a transmission shop/rebuilder since most mechanics only know how to swap transmissions.

I’ve been exporing a second possibility instead of PPG since a premium comes along with their brand name. I’ve worked previously with a local CNC shop that has 4 axis and 5 axis mills, they make parts for rally and other small production run applications. The engineer who does their CAD drawings thinks they can get it done for significantly cheaper then PPG since their prototype cost is nowhere near the 20k PPG wants. He just needs the OEM transmission for measurements required to scale the replacement parts.They also have some CAD files from previous projects that were started using 3D scans from several other dogboxs which could save a lot of time in the CAD phase. Once the CAD design is done they export the DXF file into an IPS program, set the tool paths and voila off for heat treatment the parts go. Once heat treated depending on the process used the parts might need final machining to restore the finish and they are ready to be installed for testing.

Depending how much cheaper this could be pretty interesting. Something in the 4-5k range would be perfect.

[328iwagon]

I know is been long time since not one posting here on this thread but I would like to know if Did any one did something for this?



Thank you

Originally Posted by Alex09_335

Yeah samsonas has a universal dogbox kit that can be used with many vehicles. That’s pretty much the only option right now for the 335 since there is no drop in kit.

Problem with the universal kits is the entire drive line needs to be modified which adds a lot custom fabrication work and down time. A drop in kit uses the stock transmission housing thats compatible with the existing driveline components. This is appealing since it can be installed into a housing salvaged from the wreckers, gear kit installed then just a simple transmission swap. As a bonus when selling the car can swap back to stock to sell the modified gearbox if desired. Could also install it into the original transmission but it would lead to downtime again, the transmission will need to be sent to a transmission shop/rebuilder since most mechanics only know how to swap transmissions.

I’ve been exporing a second possibility instead of PPG since a premium comes along with their brand name. I’ve worked previously with a local CNC shop that has 4 axis and 5 axis mills, they make parts for rally and other small production run applications. The engineer who does their CAD drawings thinks they can get it done for significantly cheaper then PPG since their prototype cost is nowhere near the 20k PPG wants. He just needs the OEM transmission for measurements required to scale the replacement parts.They also have some CAD files from previous projects that were started using 3D scans from several other dogboxs which could save a lot of time in the CAD phase. Once the CAD design is done they export the DXF file into an IPS program, set the tool paths and voila off for heat treatment the parts go. Once heat treated depending on the process used the parts might need final machining to restore the finish and they are ready to be installed for testing.

Depending how much cheaper this could be pretty interesting. Something in the 4-5k range would be perfect.

[Aus335iguy]

I still have my DCT. It still works. DCT swaps are even more commonplace and are now a known quantity.
Swapping in m3 GTS software and a few other cooling bits and the DCT is an easier option in my opinion.