View Full Version : Differential Upgrade List
Im trying to make this a sticky. Not just for me, but for everyone else (first timers, uncertain people who have question). Something like the FI Q&A thread but for LSD Diffs. Here's something i think its a great start. So lets all contribute and post some good stuff.
Lets start by making a list of what differentials will fit on the TI for sure. Example, what gear ratio it is (3.45lsd, 3.73lsd etc), what car it came from, will the differential fit right on or will there be a slight modification and if so what kind/ what to do. Also a list what will not fit (maybe like an overall for sure on what car/series, ex e34 or something)
So heres kinda an example (just using random numbers and makes)
3.68 e30
2.99 e30
4.12 e46
3.67 e36
3.31 e90
3.44 e92 (needs this and that changed)
Edit: Feel free to modify this post
FATHER
03-02-2007, 02:36 PM
Hugo, in real oem you find the numbers, and the model of car, when i have my old Ti y prove some diff, in my Ti i use a M3 Manual tranny so i finish with the 2.93lsd, but before i use 3.73 and 4.10!!!!Never find the 3.46 or 3.45 in Puerto Rico, i think if your Ti is Supercharger you need the 2.93 or somekind of 3.2??? if th Ti is NOT supercharger the 3.73 is the perfect number for drag
geoaxiom
03-04-2007, 04:00 AM
Hi. I sell lots of used limited slip diffs for BMWs. I can say with experience that E36 318i and tii uses a small case diff identical to the E30 318i built from 1984-1991. You might want to use the flanges from your existing diff and pop them into a replacement E30 small diff. The flanges snap out by leveraging a beefy screw driver between flange and case. Just avoid putting pressure on the lightweight dust cover that is pressed onto the flange shaft. The ratios I have seen for E30 318i lsds are: 3.64, 3.91 and 4.10. If there are any others, I haven't seen them. Any of these would be an easy and fairly affordable refit into your E36 car. No hassle!
L84THSKY
03-06-2007, 04:12 PM
If you look through the differential threads, you will see that there are many choices. Alot of members, myself included, have gone with large case diffs.
Hi. I sell lots of used limited slip diffs for BMWs. I can say with experience that E36 318i and tii uses a small case diff identical to the E30 318i built from 1984-1991. You might want to use the flanges from your existing diff and pop them into a replacement E30 small diff. The flanges snap out by leveraging a beefy screw driver between flange and case. Just avoid putting pressure on the lightweight dust cover that is pressed onto the flange shaft. The ratios I have seen for E30 318i lsds are: 3.64, 3.91 and 4.10. If there are any others, I haven't seen them. Any of these would be an easy and fairly affordable refit into your E36 car. No hassle!
AlaskaBlue
03-06-2007, 05:12 PM
There is also the limited slip differential that was optionable for the 1995 model year that I have in my car. It is a 3.45 LSD
1996 328ti
03-06-2007, 07:17 PM
When discussing diffs, for me ratio is not as important as what size housing it has.
L84THSKY
03-06-2007, 07:47 PM
This subject deserves a well cataloged file in the notebook section. Ratios, case sizes, mounting and parts needed to do the swap, depending on which diff you choose. It should also list beside each choice who has done that mod.
When discussing diffs, for me ratio is not as important as what size housing it has.
campaiar
03-06-2007, 09:04 PM
When discussing diffs, for me ratio is not as important as what size housing it has.
Only because you have a 328ti right? The added torque is definitely bad news for the small case diff. The ratio runs a close second to the case size for me.
I really don't see the need to go with the large case diff if you retain the 1.8. Even supercharged M42 and M44 engines would be fine with the small case diff.
L84THSKY
03-06-2007, 09:17 PM
That may be true, but after doing the searching, it turns out finding a 3.45 LSD from a 318ti is not easy. Then again, I really wasn't sold on the idea anyway. My 3.46 LSD large case was cheaper than buying the 3.45 LSD from the 318ti.
I also decided that changing ratios was not the right way to add torque. So I kept the same ratio, and added the LTW flywheel instead.
I really don't see the need to go with the large case diff if you retain the 1.8. Even supercharged M42 and M44 engines would be fine with the small case diff.
1996 328ti
03-08-2007, 06:13 AM
Only because you have a 328ti right? The added torque is definitely bad news for the small case diff. The ratio runs a close second to the case size for me.
I really don't see the need to go with the large case diff if you retain the 1.8. Even supercharged M42 and M44 engines would be fine with the small case diff.A DASC ti puts out around the same hp as a 2.8. Many people have not upgraded their diff whether a DASC or conversion. My stock one lasted only a few years.
DustenT
03-08-2007, 02:24 PM
That may be true, but after doing the searching, it turns out finding a 3.45 LSD from a 318ti is not easy.
I'll sell my 3.45 LSD for the right price. It has less than 100k miles on it and the fluid is changed religiously every 10k miles. PM me with bids. :biggrin:
L84THSKY
03-08-2007, 03:59 PM
Why do you wanna sell the diff?
I'll sell my 3.45 LSD for the right price. It has less than 100k miles on it and the fluid is changed religiously every 10k miles. PM me with bids. :biggrin:
DustenT
03-08-2007, 04:05 PM
Why do you wanna sell the diff?
I've got two options in front of me right now:
-I can pick up Snuggz's m44 for cheap and build it up (forged internals, etc.) and run big boost on it...
-Or put a Nissan Sr20det into the Ti.
Both situations will produce a ton of power, so I should probably upgrade to a large case e30 diff.
mohaughn
03-08-2007, 04:49 PM
I'm with Dusten. I'll sell mine as well. 135k miles, and the fluid is regularly changed with redline. It was inspected and all of the seals were changed about two or three years ago.
L84THSKY
03-08-2007, 06:11 PM
This large case LSD vs small case LSD reminds me of the CAI debate. Why recommend the 3.45 LSD from the Club Sport, when for the same price or less, you can get the large case diff. Truth is, you don't need to buy a single thing, after buying the large case diff. The M-coupe finned cover is a bonus. Just swap a used rear cover from an E30 6 cylinder car, and that's it. Everything else on your Ti is useable.
If you decide to upgrade, then swap halfshafts and flanges, and maybe the rear cover.
Both situations will produce a ton of power, so I should probably upgrade to a large case e30 diff.
roadrash
03-08-2007, 06:24 PM
I've got two options in front of me right now:
-I can pick up Snuggz's m44 for cheap and build it up (forged internals, etc.) and run big boost on it...
-Or put a Nissan Sr20det into the Ti.
[gasp] :eek:
You'd actually consider putting a non-BMW motor into your 318ti??? The next thing ya know, you'll be putting Velveeta on your hamburgers. LOL
Oh, and actually, you've got a third option... swap wheels with me so that your car will be even more of a sleeper, cause everyone knows that "chrome = slow." :wink:
JMJ
Panzer_M
03-08-2007, 06:35 PM
will Ti axles bolt onto e30 flanges with a e28 diff
DustenT
03-08-2007, 07:04 PM
[gasp] :eek:
You'd actually consider putting a non-BMW motor into your 318ti??? The next thing ya know, you'll be putting Velveeta on your hamburgers. LOL
Oh, and actually, you've got a third option... swap wheels with me so that your car will be even more of a sleeper, cause everyone knows that "chrome = slow." :wink:
JMJ
PM with an offer if you want the wheels. I have a 5th one waiting to be painted so you'd have a spare too. :biggrin:
mohaughn
03-08-2007, 08:19 PM
This large case LSD vs small case LSD reminds me of the CAI debate. Why recommend the 3.45 LSD from the Club Sport, when for the same price or less, you can get the large case diff. Truth is, you don't need to buy a single thing, after buying the large case diff. The M-coupe finned cover is a bonus. Just swap a used rear cover from an E30 6 cylinder car, and that's it. Everything else on your Ti is useable.
If you decide to upgrade, then swap halfshafts and flanges, and maybe the rear cover.
Yeah. I agree. If my car did not already have LSD I would not buy the small case LSD. The large case diff has more upgrade options(finned cover), and a wider range of gear ratios. But if somebody wants to buy my small case LSD for the same price that I would pay for a large case diff I would gladly sell it.
Well i know dusten has mentioned that his LSD is going to break down. Hhhmm, well how much you guys want for your 3.45 LSD's?
Well ive been speaking with the guy from that ebay thread for the 3.46 diff. So you guys said with that diff i just need to switch the cover with a E30 right? He said he can get me an E30 cover for 25 bucks. And for the LSD he wants to wait for bids on ebay :mad:
DustenT
03-08-2007, 10:40 PM
I paid $400 for my diff.
L84THSKY
03-08-2007, 10:41 PM
Ti axles MAY bolt onto E30 flanges inserted in the E28 diff. But, I know that the flanges that come with the E28 will not work with the Ti axles.
will Ti axles bolt onto e30 flanges with a e28 diff
op'z318M
03-10-2007, 05:34 PM
Is the 3.25 LSD a small case or large case?
L84THSKY
03-10-2007, 06:25 PM
Not stock on a 318ti, probably not on any 318. Most likely large case. Where did you see it?
Is the 3.25 LSD a small case or large case?
op'z318M
03-10-2007, 10:12 PM
Maurolin stated in another tread the he sourced one from a 1991 535i and bolted the E30 M coupe plate to it... I also saw a link that had one installed on an E30 M....
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2559
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/736704
The 3.25 has been briefly mentioned in other treads, but no one has mentioned if it is a small or large case...
http://www.318ti.org/notebook/diff_conversion/index.html
L84THSKY
03-11-2007, 05:23 PM
If I recall correctly, I bought a 3.25 LSD from a M-Z3. The seller was confused because he got the diff from his neighbor who did a diff swap. Turns out what I got was the body of a 3.25 with the rear cover from the diff I was looking for. The diff of choice was the automatic tranny ratio, and his car had the 3.25 ratio. Ended up returning the diff.
Maurolin stated in another tread the he sourced one from a 1991 535i and bolted the E30 M coupe plate to it... I also saw a link that had one installed on an E30 M....
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2559
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/736704
The 3.25 has been briefly mentioned in other treads, but no one has mentioned if it is a small or large case...
http://www.318ti.org/notebook/diff_conversion/index.html
CirrusSR22
03-12-2007, 12:13 AM
Well i know dusten has mentioned that his LSD is going to break down. Hhhmm, well how much you guys want for your 3.45 LSD's?
If you are looking for a 3.45 LSD out of a 318ti, check out....
One Way Auto Salvage
3117 W. Mission Road
Alhambra, CA 91803
Phone: 626-289-5696
They say they have one from a 1995 for $250.
Mallard
03-12-2007, 02:27 AM
3.25 is an m3 diff i think
http://www.bmw-club.dk/page.asp?PID=16
If you are looking for a 3.45 LSD out of a 318ti, check out....
One Way Auto Salvage
3117 W. Mission Road
Alhambra, CA 91803
Phone: 626-289-5696
They say they have one from a 1995 for $250.
hhmm, alhambra is only like 5 minutes away. well i gotta get the other stuff first now. Gotta back up my plans.
vBulletin® v3.8.8, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.