AWD-RWD and Auto-Manual Weight Savings

ucsbwsr · 08-22-2016, 08:40 PM

With my engine rebuild/replacement, transmission conversion, and M5 drivetrain conversion nearing completion I took the opportunity to collect some data for the community and weight some of the components which were removed.

My wagon was originally a 535xi AT and moving forward can best be described as a manual N54 powered M5. BMW M fan boys: relax. No it is not an M5 but it's composition is more M5 than anything else.

The front differential, axles, and driveshaft are lighter than expected but then again, they are not very strong. M5 components show noticeable heft for their added size and strength. The LSD went in before my scale arrived but I would estimate it is +20lbs and the drive shaft is probably around +8-10lbs Once it is back from getting lengthened and rebuilt I can throw it on the scale. I would guess +5lbs ea for the M5 axles.

___________OUT____________287 lbs
127 lbs 6AT (GA6HP19Z)
32 lbs Torque Converter
61 lbs Transfer Case
7 lbs F Driveshaft
30 lbs Front Diff
30 lbs Front Axles (x2)

____________IN_____________133 lbs
125 lbs 6MT (GS6-53DZ)
21 lbs MFactory Chromoly Flywheel
14 lbs Spec Stage 3+ Clutch

127 lbs saved by ditching both the AWD and AT.

~103lbs If you ditch the AWD but keep the same type of trans.

I estimate a 40-50 lb weight penalty for m5 components but I should still end with ~100 lbs weight savings. Where losing weight is always a good thing I think this will work against my weight distribution.

Evan

F Driveshaft and Differential getting weighed.

Transmissions

LEFT 535xi RIGHT M5

LEFT M5 RIGHT 535xi

535xi Diff

M5 LSD and it's huge heatsink.

Milan · 08-23-2016, 11:32 AM

Pretty cool...doubt there is that much difference in the 3 series though

ucsbwsr · 08-23-2016, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milan

Pretty cool...doubt there is that much difference in the 3 series though

Why do you say that? Both have GA6HP19Z ATs, both have ATC300 TCs, both have the same exact front differential. The manual trans I sourced is actually from a 2007 E92 335i.

RealOEM shows the 535xi front axles as being 40mm longer each side which equate to 1.2kg difference or 6.2lbs for both axles.
Front driveshaft is 96mm longer and 1.3lbs heavier on the 535xi.

7.5lbs is not much of a difference.
Also, weight savings would be amplified due to the lighter curb weight of the 3 series.

Evan

ucsbwsr · 08-23-2016, 03:45 PM

EDITED OP: Weighed my MT and it was 125lbs with M5 output flange, guibo, hardware, slave cylinder, and fluid.

ucsbwsr · 08-31-2016, 10:40 AM

Forgot to add this:

Going from the reinforced AWD oil pan to the RWD pan drops about 10lbs.

AWD Oil Pan: ~20lbs
RWD Oil Pan: ~10lbs

Since I won't be removing my M5 components just to throw them on the scale I looked up the data on RealOEM. Non-M axles are for an AT car, MT axles are slightly more robust and would be incrementally heavier. Driveshafts are MT vs MT, although the M5 has a slightly shorter run, about 30mm shorter. Hardware not included.

535i
Diff 83
Axles 14 ea
Shaft 23
134lbs

M5
LSD 103
Axles 17 ea
Shaft 28
165lbs

08-22-2016, 08:40 PM	#1
ucsbwsr Captain 581 Rep 673 Posts Drives: E61 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	AWD-RWD and Auto-Manual Weight Savings With my engine rebuild/replacement, transmission conversion, and M5 drivetrain conversion nearing completion I took the opportunity to collect some data for the community and weight some of the components which were removed. My wagon was originally a 535xi AT and moving forward can best be described as a manual N54 powered M5. BMW M fan boys: relax. No it is not an M5 but it's composition is more M5 than anything else. The front differential, axles, and driveshaft are lighter than expected but then again, they are not very strong. M5 components show noticeable heft for their added size and strength. The LSD went in before my scale arrived but I would estimate it is +20lbs and the drive shaft is probably around +8-10lbs Once it is back from getting lengthened and rebuilt I can throw it on the scale. I would guess +5lbs ea for the M5 axles. ___________OUT____________287 lbs 127 lbs 6AT (GA6HP19Z) 32 lbs Torque Converter 61 lbs Transfer Case 7 lbs F Driveshaft 30 lbs Front Diff 30 lbs Front Axles (x2) ____________IN_____________133 lbs 125 lbs 6MT (GS6-53DZ) 21 lbs MFactory Chromoly Flywheel 14 lbs Spec Stage 3+ Clutch 127 lbs saved by ditching both the AWD and AT. ~103lbs If you ditch the AWD but keep the same type of trans. I estimate a 40-50 lb weight penalty for m5 components but I should still end with ~100 lbs weight savings. Where losing weight is always a good thing I think this will work against my weight distribution. Evan F Driveshaft and Differential getting weighed. Transmissions LEFT 535xi RIGHT M5 LEFT M5 RIGHT 535xi 535xi Diff M5 LSD and it's huge heatsink. Last edited by ucsbwsr; 08-23-2016 at 03:44 PM..
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08-23-2016, 11:32 AM	#2
Milan Captain 202 Rep 649 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (7)	Pretty cool...doubt there is that much difference in the 3 series though __________________ 17 M3 Comp
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08-23-2016, 03:45 PM	#4
ucsbwsr Captain 581 Rep 673 Posts Drives: E61 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	EDITED OP: Weighed my MT and it was 125lbs with M5 output flange, guibo, hardware, slave cylinder, and fluid.
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08-31-2016, 10:40 AM	#5
ucsbwsr Captain 581 Rep 673 Posts Drives: E61 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Forgot to add this: Going from the reinforced AWD oil pan to the RWD pan drops about 10lbs. AWD Oil Pan: ~20lbs RWD Oil Pan: ~10lbs Since I won't be removing my M5 components just to throw them on the scale I looked up the data on RealOEM. Non-M axles are for an AT car, MT axles are slightly more robust and would be incrementally heavier. Driveshafts are MT vs MT, although the M5 has a slightly shorter run, about 30mm shorter. Hardware not included. 535i Diff 83 Axles 14 ea Shaft 23 134lbs M5 LSD 103 Axles 17 ea Shaft 28 165lbs
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