Toasted Diff

[bimmerboi318]

Are the larger output flanges the only reason an e30 6 cylinder diff is different? And if that is so, will a 4 cylinder e30 diff fit with NO modifications? Otherwise, I'll have to get the e30 cv shafts. Thanks.

[1996 328ti]

I think the main difference in a 6 cylinder diff has a larger housing. Better dissipation of heat. Not sure if an E30 4 cylinder diff will bolt right up. It might need different flanges.

http://www.318ti.org/notebook/diff_c...ion/index.html

[ClubSport332ti]

Speed is taken from the Diff! The ABS is in he axel. You can get any e30 diff to fit the ti ( the best option is to get an e30 diff from a member and then get the half shafts and do it that way.)

[bimmerboi318]

Originally Posted by ClubSport332ti

Speed is taken from the Diff! The ABS is in he axel. You can get any e30 diff to fit the ti ( the best option is to get an e30 diff from a member and then get the half shafts and do it that way.)

ABS is on the axles on cars with ASC+T, and they also have 4 wheel independant (4 channel) abs. Mine however has no speed sensors on the axles. Only the center diff sensor.

I just bought a 3.73 lsd so I'll find out first hand how easy the swap is. Thanks for the help guys.

[Constant]

Originally Posted by bimmerboi318

ABS is on the axles on cars with ASC+T, and they also have 4 wheel independant (4 channel) abs. Mine however has no speed sensors on the axles. Only the center diff sensor.

You sure about that? #11 is the ABS wheel speed sensor, found on the '95 318ti. It uses an inductive pickup where the toothed pulse ring at the end of the axle inserts into the hub. My '96 without ASC definitely has the ABS sensors in both rear trailing arm hubs.

[bimmerboi318]

I'm pretty sure. I've had the rear end torn down a couple times and haven't seen any speed sensors. The only thing even slightly resembling a sensor is the pad wear sensor.

[Constant]

Although it is possible your car has an unusual factory setup (it's happened before), I don't think it would make sense for BMW to make a different ABS system on the '95 ti. IIRC, all the other E36s without ASC+T are 3-channel, 4-sensor systems. The rear 2 sensors are tied to one channel. If either rear sensor detects slippage, both rear brakes will be pulsed. Note that 3-channel does not refer to the number of sensors, but rather the number of hydraulic controls that can modulate the ABS.

Interestingly enough, even on ASC+T equipped 318ti's the ABS works as a 3-channel setup. The 4 channels on ASC+T cars allows the rear brakes to modulate independently during traction control. Yet when ABS is activated, both rear brakes are modulated in unison. Thus a pseudo 3-channel operation.

Constant

[bimmerboi318]

Just received my E30 3.73 LSD in the mail today I'm getting tired of driving my nissan hardbody...

Constant, is there a particular reason that the e30 axles wouldnt directly fit? Or was it simply because of the tone ring that you used the ti axles with outboard 6 cylinder CV joints?

I am assuming that you are the same Constant that wrote the very nice and informative differential swap how-to ;}

[Constant]

Originally Posted by bimmerboi318

Constant, is there a particular reason that the e30 axles wouldnt directly fit? Or was it simply because of the tone ring that you used the ti axles with outboard 6 cylinder CV joints?

Yes, the E30 axles will directly fit. I just happened to swap mine because the pulse ring on the E30 axles I bought were in terrible shape.

Just an FYI, if you use the unmodified E30 axles, take caution with the ABS sensor. I didn't have a problem, but some people said their ABS sensors actually hit the E30 pulse ring. You might have to put a spacer on the sensor.

Constant

[bimmerboi318]

*ahem*

A public service announcement. Constant, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I was, in fact, wrong about not having outboard speed sensors on my axles. I took them out, and there they were staring at me. I owe a round of drinks Although I was looking and I dont think there is a way for the car to brake individually in the rear, since there's only one brake line going back there. Again, I could be wrong here :

I also underestimated how pricey axles were going to be. 140 bucks each for new aftermarket. 79 for remans. I found a place that supplies dealers that has them for 35 each, but I need an exact exchange...they wont let me pay a core charge. So, it's looking like the 79 dollar remans.

[bimmerboi318]

Well, after a long time of not having a working computer, i've finally made it back to the forum. I'd just like to say that the 3.73 upgrade was very worthwhile and is indeed the poor man's supercharger. The swap was pretty straightforward. The only thing I noticed was that the vent tube and left side top bolt for the cover hit the unibody. Some "adjusting" of the unibody was needed for clearance. Best 150 bucks I've ever spent. Well...on my car at least... ;}