I have a 1989 325ix. It is a turbo car pushing approx 400 hp. The front diff is the weakest link in the all wheel system. What can I use guys? I am looking to modify the internals of the diff only. Not getting into changing the cars all wheel infrastructure. Having a hard time finding out what guys are doing. Any info would be greatly appreciated...gearsets, machining required, whatever needs to be done inside the diff housing only. Driveshaft is already lengthened, and the rest of the drivetrain is mint.
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325ix front diff reinforcement help
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there have been tons of threads about this already over the years. you can search.
the reality is that unless you have about 15k to throw at designing custom parts, your best bet is to just buy a couple extra front diffs.sigpic
Gigitty Gigitty!!!!
88 cabrio becoming alpina b6 3.5s transplanted s62
92 Mtech 2 cabrio alpinweiss 770 code
88 325ix coupe manual lachsilber/cardinal
88 325ix coupe manual diamondschwartz/natur
87 e30 m3 for parts lachsilber/cardinal(serial number 7)
12 135i M sport cabrio grey/black
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this gives a little insight as to what breaks http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...7&postcount=41
the guy mentioned in that post (mw044) has made a thread here but the pictures are missing of his modification. http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78337
no one has figured out a permanent solution yet but the guys that are breaking things are putting out double the power that you are. I personally haven't heard of guts in the 400hp range busting front diffs.
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Originally posted by PartyMarty View PostThat doesn't answer anything I asked. I don't want opinions please just facts.
Do a 24V swap and go with E34 or E53 front drive hardware.
The Quaife for a Z3 1.9 will work in the E53 front diff.
So far the only successful 24V swaps have involved either frankenpan or cut firewall.
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Originally posted by PartyMarty View PostThat doesn't answer anything I asked. I don't want opinions please just facts.My Garage
2001 Z3 2.5i Steel Gray/Black (Lexi)
1988 325ix Diamond Schwartz/Black (Izzy)
1989 325i Cirrus Blue/Houndstooth (Stitch)
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I remember the pictures of what mw044 did, but I don't think it really worked - basically the little spider gears broke, so I think he cut up another diff carrier to add another set of spider gears. Not sure if it was just not aligned or what, but the first one blew up right away.
I think he built another one - not sure what happened to it, I haven't seen him post in ages - maybe it worked the second time, but AFAIK, he's the only one who's ever tried it, and it didn't look easy.
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There are a few people who have done the same thing with the front diff so far. They usually seem to post in obscure groups on Facebook (ugh.)
IMO, the best idea I've seen so far was one who made a jig from an old cut up ring gear in an attempt to align everything correctly. The finished pictures looked good, but I've heard nothing since.Originally posted by priapismMy girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.Originally posted by shamesonUsually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30
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Originally posted by nando View PostI remember the pictures of what mw044 did, but I don't think it really worked - basically the little spider gears broke, so I think he cut up another diff carrier to add another set of spider gears. Not sure if it was just not aligned or what, but the first one blew up right away.
I think he built another one - not sure what happened to it, I haven't seen him post in ages - maybe it worked the second time, but AFAIK, he's the only one who's ever tried it, and it didn't look easy.
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Not sure was this mw044 last evolution in that front diff
Front diff had double amount of spider gears and 30mm steel girdle with locating studs. Broke few spur/pinion gears within a weekend had enoughbut new drivetrain will consist of e9x 335i double clutch gearbox, e70 x5 atc700 xdrive transfer case, custom driveshafts, e34 525ix front diff. Both diffs with zf clutch type lsd.
What i have heard, you should go e34 front diff, that can handle that power better..Last edited by litu; 06-15-2017, 08:08 AM.
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