CSL for manual conversion

[Jonmitch]

Has anyone converted their CSL to a full manual? Plenty of SMGs have been converted, is there anything specifically difficult in doing this to a CSL?

Thinking it might be a nice project if I could find a good base car that has already been modified and has some miles on her. Anything out there?

[Mike R]

Has anyone converted their CSL to a full manual? Plenty of SMGs have been converted, is there anything specifically difficult in doing this to a CSL?

Thinking it might be a nice project if I could find a good base car that has already been modified and has some miles on her. Anything out there?

No-one has done it that I am aware of, as most would be too concerned about devaluing the car.

There is no more difficulties doing it than to a standard M3.

If it is what you want, just do it :blalalala:

[Chad]

No-one has done it that I am aware of, as most would be too concerned about devaluing the car.

There is no more difficulties doing it than to a standard M3.

If it is what you want, just do it :blalalala: I’ve heard rumblings this could be happening , not sure if a chap very local me has actually bought another one,to do just this :smokin:

[Alx]

I really considered doing that.

I even contacted BMW Classic, but they didn't answer back...

I am still interested doing that actually.

[Jonmitch]

A chap on cutters has just started the process, sounds like it is on his second CSL so he can have one of each. Watch this space.

[Chad]

A chap on cutters has just started the process, sounds like it is on his second CSL so he can have one of each. Watch this space.

Manual csl sounds ok ,, but I personally don’t believe it could be better than smg on the csl ,, but a stick shift manual csl sounds interesting ,kev I believe :thumbs:

[Chappers]

These threads always go the same way. Most believe the SMG is either better or good enough not to bother. I wonder if the option had been available at new, how the split would have been?

I don't know the numbers from the 911 GT3, but I think they sold considerably more PDK than manuals, I suppose 10 years ago the split might have shifted.

I've talked about doing mine for years, I asked about it before I even bought the car but I was always worried about a)devaluation b)shift quality - the e46 manual box isn't great c) if it would be able to be coded properly.

If this chap on cutters goes though with it, I'd be tempted this year.

[Mike R]

If you use the car predominantly on track, then I suspect you will prefer SMG and if you use the car predominantly on the road, then I suspect you will want the extra involvement of a stick and clutch pedal......:whistle:

I know I find mine a bit boring on the road (driving normally), but in full out psycho mode (aka locked up if caught), I'd not want anything but the SMG.

Kev has the right idea of having both, but given they appear to be being converted to standard specs (just transmission being different), I suspect they will just be tootled around :gayfight:....

[monkeycsl]

Had a manual m3 rubbish shift very stiff and notchy.
Maybe improved with short shifter who knows?
I replaced oil,bushes and a m5 shorter stick very little improvement.
I personally would not bother.

[Alx]

A (good) manual gearbox would be great.

I confess that I have been driving a lot more my 997.2 Carrera S (manual with limited slip differential), because it's a lot more fun and involving on the open road.

If the CSL existed in manual, I would have one...

[Chappers]

That’s the thing isn’t it. If it were a rifle bolt action box like a mk1 mx5 it would be an easy decision. It’s the fact that you’d be changing to a sloppy, notchy thing that puts me off. I think the best option I’ve found is the UUC one because it will still look OEM unlike the crazy CAE ones.

I’ll probably never put my money where my mouth is though.

[breeze]

As others have said, the e46 M3 manual gearbox isn't amazing...

[Jonmitch]

Its great that the CSL came with SMG because everyone who now owns one prefers it.

Of course, if they had offered manual and SMG, the manuals would now be worth a fortune and tucked up as garage queen investments for all bar a tiny minority.

So in a funny way, SMG-only now works quite well if you want to use a manual CSL.

[terraphantm]

Basic process is the same as converting any M3 to manual. Main complication is that there's no factory engine calibration meant for a manual CSL. But you only have to change a few bytes to get it to run in manual mode, so that's not really an issue anyway.

If you want a smoother gearbox than the M3 gearbox, the Z4M transmission is an option. You would use the shift linkage from a 330 6-speed to get that transmission to work.

[Alx]

Someone is actually attempting to convert an M3 CSL with a manual gearbox:

https://instagram.com/mrdjd?igshid=hky54n97vqfi

https://instagram.com/theadventuresofchappers?igshid=1k7ql723uawdk

Looking forward to seeing the final result!

[Chappers]

Attempting? We’re very much succeeding...

[Alx]

Attempting? We’re very much succeeding...

Sorry for my bad English...

Could you please post pictures of the different steps involved and what is done to reprogram the software?

[Chappers]

Sorry I meant to add one of these at the end: :thumbs:. Yes I’ll be posting a full build thread once we’re finished, unfortunately we ran out of time today but hopefully will be finishing tomorrow.

[glendog74]

Had a manual m3 rubbish shift very stiff and notchy.
Maybe improved with short shifter who knows?
I replaced oil,bushes and a m5 shorter stick very little improvement.
I personally would not bother.

Snap. I had similar experience and never enjoyed my manual E46 M3 as much as the CSL.

[Mike R]

Sorry I meant to add one of these at the end: :thumbs:. Yes I’ll be posting a full build thread once we’re finished, unfortunately we ran out of time today but hopefully will be finishing tomorrow.

HTFU :blalalala: ;) :thumbs:

[Chappers]

Yeah sorry, and now the realities of full time employment have got in the way and I'm sitting at a desk 20 mins away from a car I can't work on. This is torture. :bigcry:

[Mike R]

Yeah sorry, and now the realities of full time employment have got in the way and I'm sitting at a desk 20 mins away from a car I can't work on. This is torture. :bigcry:

I can see you have a stomach bug coming on from here :blalalala: :bigcry: :whistle:

[Chappers]

How do I make myself sick on demand?

[Mike R]

How do I make myself sick on demand?

Two fingers should do it :bigcry::blalalala:

[Chad]

I’m clueless when it comes to the software side of things , but going to manual ,, I’m guessing it would have to run std m3 manual software So will you loose the blip on down shift etc,,, obviously also all the benefits the electronic’s offer on smg ,,,will the conversion effect bhp/ power csl has over the std m3. ??

[Chappers]

There wouldn't be any need to blip on downshift because you'd be doing it yourself, and no there wouldn't be any difference in the engine map or BHP. Loads of standard manual M3s out there with CSL airboxes and they're all running just fine.

[Chad]

There wouldn't be any need to blip on downshift because you'd be doing it yourself, and no there wouldn't be any difference in the engine map or BHP. Loads of standard manual M3s out there with CSL airboxes and they're all running just fine.

Good to know if I eventually get to put csl motor in track build. As considering using a manual box for simplicity in wiring etc,,,csl engine should be awesome in a fully stripped car:smokin:

[Harwoodandy]

How do I make myself sick on demand?

Try driving a prius....

[Olive]

Following it on your Insta account. What a job !!! :beer:

[Chad]

Following it on your Insta account. What a job !!! :beer:
How do I get to check this out. Interesting stuff ,, can we have a few pictures etc ,,,,I’m interested in the wiring side of things especially for Trackday project car , and parts required,:thumbs:

[Chappers]

Yeah all in good time, completed the wiring yesterday and tackling the coding this evening hopefully. Will do a full write-up when it's finished.

Working with Darragh @ Everything ///M3's / Total Track Solutions in Banbury, and hoping to offer it as a package in the near future if people are interested. There will be a number of options depending on whether you want a short shifter, full OEM, new clutch and flywheel at the same time.

Here's a little taster anyway:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48575309451_19894b022e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48575460327_c9d97838e8_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48575309251_24af63f4ce_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48575460097_00a36a7186_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48575309021_b8af6a3540_b.jpg

[HFLagos]

A chap on cutters has just started the process, sounds like it is on his second CSL so he can have one of each. Watch this space.

Yes was done back in Jan/Feb by the chap who bought my car as his 2nd CSL (also posts on cslregister).

The job was finished pretty quickly and I was told that it was straightforward, works done by Darren Wood BMW.

With the prices some folks are asking for M3 CS manual cars, it’s a no brainer IMHO for someone who wants a manual so much to instead do the manual conversion to a CSL which is up for sub £40k.

Photos of my old car post conversion here:
https://www.instagram.com/darrenwoodbmw/

[NZ_M3]

Just a note that whoever is doing the dme conversion for you that they realise it is not just a simple 03 and 40 change with the associated smg fault code zeroing. There are torque delivery maps that’s different between smg and manual cars which also need changing.

If you want you can email me the file and I’ll do the changes for you properly.

[Chappers]

Thanks, we actually had a Remote Desktop session from Martyn @ ECUworx and he sorted it all out. It’s fully working, driving and feels really bloody quick actually. I’m not sure my gear changes are even any slower, I just know how long each one will take each time!

[NZ_M3]

Thanks, we actually had a Remote Desktop session from Martyn @ ECUworx and he sorted it all out. It’s fully working, driving and feels really bloody quick actually. I’m not sure my gear changes are even any slower, I just know how long each one will take each time!

No disrespect to Martyn and his tool as it was developed with assistance with the guys in the states that started disassembling the codes ... but those early day findings have changed and I can tell you for a fact that his tool doesn’t do the smg to manual conversion correctly as it is a simple byte flip between 03 and 40 to tell the dme that it is manual or smg but there is more to it than that and the knowledge is still developing with this dme. There are basically new finds everyday.

[Chappers]

Oh I know, that's why he had to remote desktop and use some other tools I'm a bit rusty with. Anyway the car is up and running at full power and feels fantastic. So good it broke the CSLregister for a week.