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Old 03-25-2011, 04:50 PM   #1
zoner
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Default E36 small case differential

Looking at picking up a small case (168mm) LSD from a wrecking yard around here. The diff. looks as though it is in good shape- bearings are smooth and quiet, no slop on the input or output shafts, ring has normal (light) wear, case is very clean and not rusted out, etc. I believe it came out of an early 90's (E36) 318is. Mine is starting to make a bit of noise and I'm thinking it is on its way out.

A few questions:

1.) Is the diff. cover on my ti a direct bolt on?
2.) Other than having to change out the cover (the cover that is currently on it has a double mount), will this differential be a direct swap for my open diff. w/o having to make any other modifications?

Thanks.
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Old 03-25-2011, 05:07 PM   #2
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E36 small case diff will not work. The mounting points are different.

You need a small case out of an E30. With an E30 diff the cover will bolt up and you'll have to swap output flanges, then it should bolt up.
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Old 03-25-2011, 05:35 PM   #3
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Thanks, Dave.

Last edited by zoner; 03-25-2011 at 05:43 PM.
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Old 03-27-2011, 12:25 AM   #4
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would it be possible to swap the internals from the E36 diff into the ti diff? I know most people here don't do anything more than swap out the covers but I'm curious if that would work
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Old 03-27-2011, 04:32 AM   #5
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Just pull the internals out and put them in your case, its a direct replacement.
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Old 02-06-2013, 10:14 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebimma View Post
Just pull the internals out and put them in your case, its a direct replacement.
Its two years later since you made the post.. but is this confirmed?
I have a 98 ti. I just swapped for an M50 and am looking for more traction.
Thanks
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Old 02-07-2013, 07:23 AM   #7
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What you really need is an E28 or E30 diff. It bolts right up. You may have to swap the output flanges.
Lots of ratio options too. I installed a 3.25 LSD diff from a 535is on my 318ti with S52 motor. I had to use an E30 rear cover. In my case, the flanges off the 535is matched to my axles shafts which came from an M roadster.
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Old 02-07-2013, 01:34 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre View Post
What you really need is an E28 or E30 diff. It bolts right up. You may have to swap the output flanges.
Lots of ratio options too. I installed a 3.25 LSD diff from a 535is on my 318ti with S52 motor. I had to use an E30 rear cover. In my case, the flanges off the 535is matched to my axles shafts which came from an M roadster.
Thanks...
So, Forgive me.... Cases and covers are NOT the same?

Peter
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Old 02-07-2013, 06:50 PM   #9
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Default Cases and covers

The case is the unit that holds the gears in. It has an input flange that connects to the driveshaft and 2 output flanges that connect to the axles and the wheels.
The cover bolts up tp the back of the diff case. The same diff may have different covers depending on the car it goes into.
The 318ti is an E36 but it uses a rear suspension setup from the E30. (The Z3 convertible and coupes do too.) Standard E36 parts do not fit in the back of the ti. E30 parts too.
The E30 came with 2 styles of diffs. The small case installed on 4-cylinder cars and the big case installed in 6-cylinder cars. The e28 also used the same differential case. There were many ratios offered on the many variations of these cars. Small and big cases are interchangeable.
The ti has the same case as the small version of the E30, since it's also a 4-cylinder. But you can install a big case diff on the ti. You will then need the cover that fits the big case E30s.
I hope this helps.
Go to real OEM and look at diffs, gear ratios and interchangeability of parts.
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Old 02-07-2013, 09:30 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre View Post
The case is the unit that holds the gears in. It has an input flange that connects to the driveshaft and 2 output flanges that connect to the axles and the wheels.
The cover bolts up tp the back of the diff case. The same diff may have different covers depending on the car it goes into.
The 318ti is an E36 but it uses a rear suspension setup from the E30. (The Z3 convertible and coupes do too.) Standard E36 parts do not fit in the back of the ti. E30 parts too.
The E30 came with 2 styles of diffs. The small case installed on 4-cylinder cars and the big case installed in 6-cylinder cars. The e28 also used the same differential case. There were many ratios offered on the many variations of these cars. Small and big cases are interchangeable.
The ti has the same case as the small version of the E30, since it's also a 4-cylinder. But you can install a big case diff on the ti. You will then need the cover that fits the big case E30s.
I hope this helps.
Go to real OEM and look at diffs, gear ratios and interchangeability of parts.
Thanks for the break down. This certainly helps.
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