Re: I don't know the details, but . . . (archive)

There are other posts here and at the firstfoves.org, but converting to a 5-speed is somewhat common. I bought a 535i with a 5 speed, and didn't discover until a year later that it was originally an automatic!
Anyway, my gut feel is this: Don't bother with the conversion, just get the car with a 5-speed.
My reasoning is: FIRST, the engineering and manufacturing at BMW is better than any what any home of small-shop mechanic can do. SECOND, since we're talking about E12s, which are basically 20 year old cars, you shold be able to sell the automatic and buy a real 5-speed for much less effort (and cost) than trying to create one.
My 2 cents.
Good Luck!

Thanks, that is my first impression. Over on the '02 board the conventional wisdom is automatic cars are the ones to convert to e21 5 speed because of the tunnel configuration- no mention of the details like clutch pedal/cylinder install.

BTW, we say that's my "02 cents"
Regards,
Robert

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