cobra30689

So I've been watching some of the swaps going on in E46 BMW's here and in the other forums, and considering jumping on the bandwagon. Prices on really decent early 2000's 3-series' are coming WAY down in my area, and in the end I could end up with a better car overall than my New Edge Mustang. While I have questions galore, one fundamental one stands out. How "livable" are the taller CD009 gear ratios (3.794, 2.324, 1.624, 1.271, 1.000, 0.794) with a E46's stock rear gear? Quick 'net search shows a manual trans car having a 3.15, and an auto having a 3.46. I'm not looking to build a monster, just a fun daily driver.....so I'm not against building a NA 4.8 if the price is right. From what I gather, 4.8's need a little more RPM to make power than a typical 5.3, so would this setup work well with the right cam? What say you all?

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

I think those transmission ratios and the 3.15 R&P will be great.

Andrew

pdxmotorhead

If you have the E46 with 6 speed manual trans, you might have 3.46 in the diff. Some sport packages added with the 6spd. (My 330XI has deeper gears than a regular 330XI was a factory ordered car.. )