Wrecked E46 M3 SMG conversion to 6 Speed Manual!
It's finally time to put the converted SMG transmission back together with the machined bellhousing. We also do some maintenance on the BMW E46 M3: rear main seal, constant pressure valve (CPV) o-ring, pilot bearing, new clutch and pressure plate, and reseal the transmission. Some of the other supporting mods for the smg conversion included installing the clutch pedal, shifter assembly, input shaft seal, shift rod seal, output shaft seal, drilling a hole for the shifter, and installing the shifter arm bushing carrier. This video was filmed as a VLOG, but there will be a separate video that goes into the specifics of what all the E46 M3 SMG to 6 Speed Manual Conversion entails. Thanks for watching, be sure to check out the links below for parts, other videos and information!
#E46M3 #smgconversion #Rebuild
Some of the parts seen in this video:
Upgraded CPV O-Ring:
click.linksynergy.com/deeplin...
Master/Slave Cylinder + Clutch Hydraulics Kit:
click.linksynergy.com/deeplin...
Upgraded Clutch Fork Pivot Pin:
click.linksynergy.com/deeplin...
Upgraded Shifter Bushings:
click.linksynergy.com/deeplin...
Performance Clutch Pedal Kit:
click.linksynergy.com/deeplin...
Videos:
CPV O-Ring DIY:
• MOST Misdiagnosed Oil ...
S54 Playlist (Vanos Bulletproofing and More):
• S54 E46 M3 Videos
S54 Valve Adjustment DIY:
• Do E46 M3 need Valve A...
Intake Manifold Removal DIY:
• BMW E46 M3 Starter + I...
How to remove the clutch fan and fan shroud:
• Waterpump & Thermostat...
Valve Cover Gasket DIY:
• How To Change S54 Valv...
Ultimate E46 M3 Torque Values Guide:
drive.google.com/file/d/1elAi...
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Disclaimer: Some links will contain affiliate links.
I'm sure you're not doing this job for the first time. Very demanding work! Because it is obvious that you are a great master. Keep up the good work! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I fully agree 🤙👍
Thank You!!
@@ShopLifeTV Hey with all your videos you inspired me to rebuild my BMW E46 330. Now I would like to build a street machine E46. Need your help please contact me back.
Man.... You know your stuff. Well done. Great video.
Just yesterday I started replacing my rear main seal and everything else and I almost bolted the flywheel without that thin metal plate. If I haven’t seen you doing it I’d definitely forget lol
Great DIY guys. And I didn't know about that CPV o-ring. Merry Christmas to you all. Dutch regards, Nico.
The petroleum jelly trick is very good.
Sensei of BMWs! Love your videos
Nice work and great video as always! 👍
Appreciate you Steve!
Thanks for the petroleum jelly advise.
Keep up the great videos. Thanks to you and your other video I know why my VANOS rattles :)
Thank You!!
Another great video, love the channel!
Very informational, thanks! Since I am planning bolting in the shift carrier support bracket, is there any reason to remove the undercoating in that area? It seems very thin, and would not affect the shifter location/operation? Thank you!
i love this, one of my fav things to do is 18 wheelers. manual conversions, i just love the outcome they cant even tell they were automatic before 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
Merry Christmas to you and your family take care be safe enjoy.
Epic! Do you think you could do a video mentioning all the different options that were available on the e46 and which can be retrofitted to which vehicles. Also the different bumpers and things, there is so much that it can get overwhelming. Keep up the good work👍
Good idea!
I've been a subscriber for a long time, I really appreciate the expertise and topics you covered before I bought my M3. I noticed in this video you're working with a Schaeffler/Luk clutch kit. There are a lot of aftermarket choices but most are focused on track use. Why did you go with OE? Will it hold up compared to kits that are 3X more?
Great vid guys! I’m sure your straightforward tutorials inspire confidence for do-it-yourself conversions. Jason your poor voice! I’ve heard the best remedy for helping a hoarse voice is to avoid talking as much as possible. Surprisingly, doctors say whispering puts more strain on the voice than normal speech does. Get well man!
Watch closely, Selena. Jason is one handy guy to have around. Thanks again for another great video, Jason. Hope your throat recovers soon.
Thank you Brian! I hope so too, it's getting annoying lol
@@ShopLifeTV one suggestion: gargle with original flavor listerine. The stuff tastes nasty but it works. Great for temporary relief even if it doesn't fix the issue. See a doctor if soreness has been a week or more.
How this video only has 20k views is wild! This car is a classic now almost and I absolutely love mine but this is what I may have to end up doing my smg code keeps popping up. Ordered a relay and removed some smg fluid as it was overflowing practically. I don’t think the shops know to not top it all the way up.. anyways I wish there was a shop around town like yours where I knew the person doing the job was very passionate about the car… how much would you charge for a manual swap? Most here in NC are asking 5k is that crazy or normal ?
Enjoyed the swap vid when is the body work coming up?
I drove my E46 from, Florida to California, after doing the drive shaft n all the front pulleys, an cooling system 3500 miles
Nice I have a 7 series I'm working. Are the parts similar in the way of working on the different models?
I have no mechanics at my area can do what you do specifically on e46 m3. I have no luck I only trust your work I been watching you on KZhead for awhile see you have great experiences. Wish you can work on my too.
I need to do this asap
Curious about how much this cost
Have you done the follow up video to this finishing the job with wiring/coding, etc.?
Jason, hope you can help, or someone in your network, or at least begin to think about resolving a rapidly emerging issue in the Getrag 420G community. I, like many others, am having an issue with the input shaft bearing - FAG 577318A (90mm OD x 45mm ID x 21mm W) on two 420Gs, fitted to e39 540s (his & hers). As this generation of cars gets older, the issue is becoming more widespread and still no-one who has the specs for the gearbox is willing to share them (including BMW or Getrag - the first example where rebuild specs and parts were not made available). Instead, they are demanding a $5000 premium for a rebuild on a proprietory basis, plus a $1500 core, for what is a very basic repair. Meanwhile, many of these 6 speeds are now going to scrap along with otherwise great cars; a total waste! All that needs to be determined is the lash value for accurate insertion of the input shaft bearing. I'm hoping that the worldwide BMW community, yourself included, can determine and share the gearbox rebuild specs generally, but, in particular, the input shaft bearing specs, as this seems to be the biggest issue. Community over dollars and cents! Thanks in advance. 👊
You a beast
All that space saved from the smg pump you can sneak in an extra set of vanos and rod bearings.
Awesome documentary about converting. Can I bring you mine to convert and if so what’s the ballpark cost?
Have you ever had issues with the input shaft bearing whining after the conversion? When I did my conversion I sourced a Bell housing that was machined for the detent springs and sent mine back for a core. As soon as I started my car after the swap it was whining. Thought is that the bearing lost its mate with the bellhousing. There have been quite a few successful transplants, but it seems there are also quite a few instances of bearing whine. I have videos on my YT that you are able to hear the whine.
Does anyone know if there is a video showing how to remove the smg pump I've looked at tons of videos on youtube and everyone seems to skip that process. I almost have it out but it seems to be stuck on something.
Can you please give the list of part needed for this swap. Thanks
What did you do software wise to code the SMG out of the DME and the cluster?
Great to see how this conversion is done, thanks for sharing. Any liquid gasket needed on the base of that rear main seal plate? Also, is there a reason you didn't grease the shifter?
Thanks! The back of the rear main seal plate has a metal gasket that was replaced, usually you would put RTV where the RMS carrier meets the oil pan, but the rod bearings and oil pan gasket are being replaced as well so didn't need it right now. Shifter was greased before the black rubber boot was put on, didn't want to make a mess and attract dirt so I always grease right before I install.
Are there any 7 speed gearboxes that would fit the e46 M3?
How much you charge for swap? Been wanting do this for sometime but my smg Hasn’t had be replaced
is the old smg pump for sale? i need the pump reservoir to replace a broken one on mine.
Wow
Hey buddy is there anyway I can ask you a question about an n52 motor I had a shop change my eccentric shaft sensor which fixed all the codes but now I have other codes for my valvetronic motor and it runs like crap could they have messed it up and possibly have the lifters in the lowest position rather than the highest? The main codes I get r 2a39 adjustment range and 2a43 thermal overload protection warning threshold and also 2a38 valvetronic sluggish or open circuit any ideas what it could be? The mechanic has no idea I can't find any good BMW Mechanics around me the last one I tried lied to me charge me for hundred bucks and I found out I was only out of gas my gas gauge was wrong
If i were to machine my smg transmission, what would be the downside vs getting a true a 6 speed manual? If any
Have you done a smg with a self centering shifter?
is this the same steps for the non-m SMG? I have a 2005 330ci SMG. My Transmission is throwing codes: 004F6F and 004F6E which are Hydraulic pump activation and Hydraulic pressure low codes. If you could get back to me on this , I'd much rather do this than having to try and find a ZF or Getrag. Thanks so much!
Hey buddy if you didn’t mind I would like to get all the center parts including the stick knob for donations only if there are not useable to you thanks. Keep up the good work champ 👍🏿
What’s the part being replaced 15 mins 40 seconds of the video? Also what’s the part number for the bearing mentioned moments later?
Hello what's up man neci video !!! hey wrrr I can get the springs
Can you give me please some ideas where to go buy a decent transmission for 2004 325 i
Hey. I have a bmw e46 320d 150hp of 2004 model. There is no coolant circulating from the engine feed pipe to the heater valve. I have bleeded the coolant 2 to 3 times but still no coolant coming in that pipe. On the engine bloc there is a plastic piece and from there they are two pipes connected, 1st is the fat pipe which connects to the coolant tank and the 2nd slim pipe connects to the heater valve, there is coolant circulating in the fat pipe but no coolant in the slim pipe. Can you help ? Should it be an air lock in this pipe? 🤔
So I have a 6 speed in my 2003 M3 and second gear is going out, can I buy a SMG since they are so much more cheaper and what would I all need to turn that SMG to a 6 speed ?
Great video. I actually have an E46 330i with an SMG. I know the M3 and 330i do not have the same SMG setup. What differences are there between swapping the E46 M3 and the E46 330i to manual?
You can drive the car like a true manual, clutch control etc
@@ernestobarron8949 thanks but that was not my question. I'll rephrase. The M3 and 330i do not have the same SMG system. What are the differences between swapping an M3 SMG ans swapping a 330i SMG? (because they are different)
i was always under the impression that the SMG trans housing needed machining to work as a manual trans?
Yes, you’re correct. That was addressed in past vid named ‘WATCH ME WORK ON COPART E46 M3 (SMG TRANSMISSION NO MORE).’
How much did the conversion cost you?
I need to buy a s5d 250g tranmisson for e46 m54 facelift sedan, do you know prestigious address on ebay?
Where are you located
How much $$$ is the conversion in parts round about? And how many hours of labour?
Usually starts at $4k (base conversion parts and labor), but quickly adds up once you start adding other maintenance and issues that you find. Labor depends on how thorough you go with it and any other add ons. This M3 we have 80+ hours into and still more to go
@@ShopLifeTV Reputable shops up here in Massachusetts charge about 20 hrs labor plus sending out the bellhousing for machining. All new BMW parts needed for this conversion run about $2k, not including new clutch assembly, so I'd say $4k minimum. Last month I bought an e46 M3 w/SMG with the big 3 items and a laundry list of "other regular maintenance" items all performed by Turner Motorsports. Those receipts added up to $20k, which is essentially what the market value of a well maintained, exceptional condition e46 M3 goes for. Anything selling for less than $15k is surely behind on some serious maintenance. I'll likely do the CSL trans DME tune and wait until the SMG pump goes and gladly do the swap then. Jason, I really enjoy watching all your content and seeing you grow over the years!
You been working out, bro?!!!
Lol yes
I notice that you took a flywheel off I thought it was a automatic you do know what you are doing
SMG and Manual use exact same gearbox. Detents need to be added to the bell housing.
So now you have an M3 that doesn’t rev match automatically; prevent you from money shifts; or allow various speeds for shifts; or any automatic shifting for casual driving with your coffee in hand in traffic. And the car is no longer factory original..All to be “cool”. Cool..👍😆
I still have to rev match in my smg m3 🙄
@@camdenkerndavis Then something is faulty in your system. The SMG does it beautifully from the factory.
@@brianaust8897 hell naw, you got some updates or something
@@brianaust8897I saw your comment and it was refreshing to see someone defending the smg but I will also say- almost everyone considers the car better as a manual.. although I’m having issues with my smg at the moment I too would like to keep it as an smg. Car drives like a beast and shifts quickly. But he did a great job on this monster of a job. That does not look fun swapping it.
@@camdenkerndavis No. no…
If the voice is still the same you must see a doctor. Hello Selena, keep the cameras rollin'