Value of my M54 & 6 speed?

[dyintorace]

I'm interested in opinions regarding the (ballpark) estimate of the value of the M54 and 6 speed in my 2004 ZHP. I have a line on an S54 and its 6 speed transmission and am seriously considering a swap. I have always wanted an e46 M3, but really like having a sedan. Dropping in an s54 seems like the simplest route to get what I want.

Before doing so, I want to sketch out a budget. One big question mark is how much my engine and transmission would bring in a sale. I would leave the motor in the car until it sold, so prospective buyers could test drive it before purchase. Once sold, I would pull it and get going on the swap.

Motor currently has 150k on it and has had both Dr. Vanos and the DISA work done.

I welcome your opinions!

[terraphantm]

Most complete M54b30s (all accessories and sensors included) I've seen go for around $1500, and the 6-speed can probably fetch a similar amount. What hurts you a bit is the 150k miles. Dr. VANOS and DISA add little value, if anything

[QC_ZHP]

Doesn't the 6 speed bolt up to the s54 anyway?

[az3579]

Doesn't the 6 speed bolt up to the s54 anyway?

It's better to use the M3 transmission since it can handle more power.


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[cakM3]

It's better to use the M3 transmission since it can handle more power.


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If that's the case then when adding a supercharger (ESS or VF) or turbo would it make sense to upgrade the ZHP's tranny for an M3 tranny? :scratchinghead

With an ESS TS2+ you get the following...

Boost pressure: 8.5 PSI
Horsepower: 375 SAE/380 DIN
Torque: 342 lb-ft/465 Nm

This is more than the stock S54 output.... just sayin' I'm under the impression that the stock ZHP tranny, if you can connect the S54 to it, should be able to handle the power of this engine based on the specs from a TS2+.

[stephenkirsh]

+1 on the zhp tranny handling 333hp.

+1 on $1500 for engines

I've seen "full 6 speed swap kit" for $1500 which included bunch of extra stuff to swap into an auto car. So I'm guessing 6 speeds going for $1000ish now?

[terraphantm]

Doesn't the 6 speed bolt up to the s54 anyway?

It does, but the M3 flywheel doesn't have the integrated pilot bearing, so you'd have to use a ZHP flywheel (in which case you'd be forced to use a single mass flywheel since dual mass flywheels have to be somewhat matched to the engine). You'd also have to do a couple tweaks to the software so that it doesn't care about the gear recognition sensor.

[az3579]

If that's the case then when adding a supercharger (ESS or VF) or turbo would it make sense to upgrade the ZHP's tranny for an M3 tranny? :scratchinghead

With an ESS TS2+ you get the following...

Boost pressure: 8.5 PSI
Horsepower: 375 SAE/380 DIN
Torque: 342 lb-ft/465 Nm

This is more than the stock S54 output.... just sayin' I'm under the impression that the stock ZHP tranny, if you can connect the S54 to it, should be able to handle the power of this engine based on the specs from a TS2+.


BMW gives their transmissions names that pretty much can tell you what they're designed for. So, here is the naming convention (copied and pasted from ISTA):




Breakdown of BMW designation:


A5S 300J (former designation)


A
Transmission type


-
S = Manual gearbox


-
A = Automatic transmission





5
Number of forward gears



S
Type of top gear


-
D = Direct gear


-
S = Overdrive gear





300
Max. input torque (Nm)



J
Code letter of transmission manufacturer


-
G = Getrag


-
J = Jatco


-
R = GMPT (General Motors Powertrain)


-
Z = ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen)





SMG
Notes
SMG = Sequential M gearbox/transmission





GS6-37BZ (new designation according to BMW Group Standard GS 90007)


G
Transmission



S
Transmission type


-
S = Manual gearbox


-
A = Automatic transmission





6
Number of forward gears



-



-
- = Standard with manual gearshift


-
HP = Hydraulic planetary gear


-
DKG= twin-clutch gearbox





37
Transmission type


-
26 = D-transmission


-
31 = C-transmission


-
39 = F-transmission


-
37 = H-transmission


-
53 = G-transmission


-
17 = I-transmission


-
47= J transmission SMG -7-speed


-
45 = K transmission


-
36= Transmission DKG





B
Gear set


-
B = Petrol gear ratio


-
D = Diesel gear ratio


-
S= Sport gear ratio





Z
Code letter of transmission manufacturer


-
G = Getrag


-
Z = ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen)







Manual gearbox:


BMW designation
Manufacturer
Manufacturer designation
Remarks








S5D 200G
Getrag
B transmission (220/5)



S5D 200G
Getrag
B transmission (221/5)
for M41 engine only


S5D 250G
Getrag
B transmission (220/5)
Reinforced version








S5D 260Z
ZF
C-transmission (S5-31 D)
for M51 engine only


S5D 280Z
ZF
C-transmission (S5-31)



S5D 310Z
ZF
C-transmission (S5-31)
up to 9.95


S5D 320Z
ZF
C-transmission (S5-31)
from 9.95 (reinforced version)


GS5S31BZ (SMG)
ZF
C transmission
SMG








GS5-39DZ
ZF
F transmission



S6S 420G
Getrag
D-transmission (226/6)



S6S 420G (SMG)
Getrag
D transmission
SMG


S6S 560G
Getrag
E-transmission (286/6)















GS6-37BZ
ZF
H-transmission



GS6S37BZ (SMG)
ZF
H-transmission



GS6-37DZ
ZF
H-transmission



GS6-37BG
Getrag
H-transmission









GS6-53BZ
ZF
G-transmission



GS6-53DZ
ZF
G-transmission









GS6-17BG
Getrag
I-transmission



GS6-17DG
Getrag
I-transmission









GS7S47BG (SMG)
Getrag
J‐transmission (247)
SMG -7-gear








GS7D36SG
Getrag
DKG (436)
DKG -7-gear








GS6- 45BZ
ZF
K transmission



GS6- 45DZ
ZF
K transmission











Automatic transmission:


BMW designation
Manufacturer
Manufacturer designation
Remarks








A4S 200R
General Motors Powertrain
GM4









A4S 270R
General Motors Powertrain
THM-R1w
Transmission wide-stepped


A4S 310R
General Motors Powertrain
THM-R1









A5S 300J
Jatco
Jatco









A5S 310Z
ZF
5HP-18



A5S 325Z
ZF
5HP-19



A5S 440Z
ZF
5HP-24



A5S 560Z
ZF
5HP-30









A5S 360R / 390R
GM
GM5









GA6HP19Z
ZF
6HP19



GA6HP26Z
ZF
6HP26



GA6HP32Z
ZF
6HP32









GA6L45R
GM
GM6









GA8HP45Z
ZF
8HP45



GA8HP70Z
ZF
8HP70



GA8P70H
ZF
8P70
Hybrid


GA8HP90Z
ZF
8HP90









GA7AHSCD
Daimler
AHS-C
Hybrid







Since the ZHP tranny uses the new naming scheme and the M3 tranny uses the old naming scheme, they have to be deciphered differently.

The M3's transmission, based on its model name (S6S 420G for the manual non-SMG), is rated for 420Nm of input torque, which is about 309 lb/ft of torque. The S54 makes less than that, so it's safe.

The 330i's 6-speed transmission model name is GS6-37BZ, which is the new naming scheme. The 37 in the model name designates is designed torque, but I can't find any concrete information on what 37 actually stands for. The chart about says H transmission, but that is Chinese to me. I'm going to assume 370Nm of torque, which would make perfect sense. 370Nm equates to about 272 lb/ft of torque.



So, Charlie - to answer your question, the transmission is probably not designed to handle that kind of power. Have people thrown that kind of power to it before? Sure. Have their transmission blown up? I don't know. For all we know, it could be fine, but the risk is there since you'd be exceeding its designated spec. Even with the M3 transmission, you're exceeding the spec.

I'm not sure if it's at risk of blowing up or just having a reduced lifespan. I'm not a transmission expert. Perhaps using a transmission from a diesel model would be a good idea? For reference, the E46 330d uses a GS6-53DZ transmission, assuming it's rated for 530Nm / about 390 ft/lb.

[Hermes]

Get the driveshaft as well

[terraphantm]

Z4M uses the GS6-37BZ like the ZHP (though it has a longer input shaft to allow the use of a traditional pilot bearing). The gearbox can take the S54's torque if you use the Z4M clutch too. But as I mentioned earlier, the pilot bearing is an issue.

[az3579]

Z4M uses the GS6-37BZ like the ZHP (though it has a longer input shaft to allow the use of a traditional pilot bearing). The gearbox can take the S54's torque if you use the Z4M clutch too. But as I mentioned earlier, the pilot bearing is an issue.

That would make sense since the 37BZ is still rated for the torque of the S54, though just barely. It comes really close.
Good info, thanks.