Installing a DCT in an E28 with an M30B34

[calspyderman]

Has anyone attempted to install a DCT into an e28 and marry it up with an M30 engine succesfully? I understand the bell housing on a DCT may be the same size as that on a stock e28 transmission. But a DCT is a much bigger and heavier transmission than either a manual or automatic e28 transmission - will it even fit in an e28? Would love feedback or thoughts..

[Galahad]

Interesting idea - you might need to hammer the tunnel out a bit (or a lot, I don't know how big a DCT is). What's the motivation?

[adam_poll]

Somebody must have tried it as this exists - https://www.domi-works.com/products/bmw ... dapter-kit

and this - https://www.domi-works.com/products/bmw ... dapter-kit

[calspyderman]

Interesting idea - you might need to hammer the tunnel out a bit (or a lot, I don't know how big a DCT is). What's the motivation?

Motivation is I'd like a hot rodded daily driver where I'm not riding the clutch in traffic, but have the more spirited driving of a DCT over an ZF automatic transmission. I intend to hot rod the engine but don't want to go to a 5-speed manual.

[calspyderman]

Somebody must have tried it as this exists - https://www.domi-works.com/products/bmw ... dapter-kit

and this - https://www.domi-works.com/products/bmw ... dapter-kit

Cool. Thanks!

[Eta power]

I had a similar idea, did some research into it and even visited a friend of a friend that swapped a BMW DCT into a Volvo. The physical installation would take some work, but seemed relatively straightforward. I was able to find a M10/M30 to DCT adapter plate (same one you found), but no flywheel. Mounts and driveshaft adapters are available. Transmission tunnel modifications would almost certainly be required and you would need a custom driveshaft. The biggest hurdle that I wasn't sure about was electronic control. I found two options:

1) HTG Gearbox Control Unit, a standalone controller that can control a variety of different transmissions: https://htg-tuning.com/gcu/

and

2) Maxx ECU, a standalone ECU manufacturer. They make a few different models with lots of features, but the coolest one (in my opinion) is the ability to emulate an entire E92 worth of can bus messages to keep the stock (albeit reflashed) gearbox controller happy. https://www.maxxecu.com/, specifically https://www.maxxecu.com/webhelp/wirings ... arbox.html

Now, the Volvo I went and saw was very cool, but currently not functional due to various problems. Apparently the DCT did work, but the HTG GCU did not work as well as the owner had hoped and he lamented that he did not go with the Maxx ECU. I had decided to use the Maxx ECU in my project, but got distracted by Honda K motors and a certain Samsonas dog box kit, so I never went any farther with it.

You might also look at Seems Legit Garage. https://www.seemslegitgarage.com/ They have a lot of DCT swap parts for sale for newer BMWs and also have a pretty good YouTube channel.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[Notae30]

Old post but the zf8hp with a turbolamik TCU with the adapter plate allows you to have a virtual clutch alot of the e36 guys are doing it. since the zf is somewhat cheap can shift almost as fast as a DCT and reliable.