Which diff should i use?

[M-technik-3]

Stock 95 M3 diff was 3.15 FYI. 96s had a 3.23. Autos had a 3.38. There is no E36 that I can think of that had a 3.46. In fact 3.46s are fairly rare. Like others have said the E36 diff won't work, but the internals are the same 188mm.

Correct, the Z3M and Z3 M coupes had 3.46lsd Torsen style diffs.

3.46lsd are found in E23 7 series. I have two now one behind a s50 powered e30 and the other in a dog legged M3.

[e30s50dan]

thanks stu....thats what i was looking for ...to the junkyard AWWWAAAYY!

[Stu]

Correct me where I'm wrong.

This is assuming U.S. market cars.

5spd 325is all years: s3.73
Auto 325is thru '89 model year: s3.73
Auto 325is '90: s4.10
5spd/Auto 325i thru '89 model year: 3.73 with limited slip option
Auto 325i '90-'91: 4.10 with limited slip option
5spd 325i Sport Package '91: s3.73
Auto 325i Sport Package '91: s4.10
5spd 325iC all years: 3.73 with limited slip option
Auto 325ic thru '89 model year: 3.73 with limited slip option
Auto 325ic '90-'92: 4.10 with limited slip option
5spd 325iX 3.91 (VC LSD)
Auto 325iX: 4.10 (VC LSD)
Auto/5spd 318i until November of '83 build-date: 3.64 with limited slip option
Auto/5spd 318i after November of '83 build-date: 3.91 with limited slip option
318i/is '90-'91: 4.10 with limited slip option
318iC '90-'92: 4.27 with limited slip option
E30 M3: s4.10
5spd/Auto 325/e/eS until July (?) of '85 build-date: 2.79 with limited slip option
5spd/Auto 325/e/eS after July (?) of '85 build-date: 2.93 with limited slip option

E30 M3 and all 6-cylinder cars use a type 188 diff
M10 and M42 cars use a type 168 diff

[Uber E30]

3.25's are from e28's 535
2.93's are from ETA's
4.10's are from 325i/s (auto) and m3's and 318is (small case though)
3.73 for pretty much any late model manual e30 not listed above

[e30s50dan]

does anyone have a "Master list" of what diff's came out of which cars year/model/manual or auto ..i can then go to the junkyards

[jahnaboi]

The 3.46 diff will be faster in every respect, but will have a lower top speed, rev higher on the highway, and cause you to shift earlier.

I used to have the 3.25 with my s52+ZF set-up, and it was a great ratio. However, the 3.46 made the car accelerate faster in each gear. I will never go back! :woowoo:

When are we running!?

[e30Rob]

since we're on this subject, i as well am in the middle of an M50 swap out of a 92 325is (no-vanos) i am using the Getrag 250 tranny and driveshaft from the 325is...I had a deposit on a 3.25 from the Euro Depot and they sold it out from under me so i ended up going with a 3.73.....only thing they had left in an LSD.....will this setup be ok?

[Stu]

2.93... its equal to a 3.73 with a g260

Pretty close, 3.73*.805 = 3:1

My old car with stock 195/65/14 would pull to 6800-6900 with a 260 and 3.73, very slight uphill. Would not pull to 7100. I'm sure it would've pulled to redline on flat ground.

Dads old car with a 1:1 gearbox and 3.46 would pull 7500 in 5th. It may have had a little more.

With an overdrive 'box, I'd use a 3.73 or 3.91 with a 2.8 or greater motor. With a short-stroke 2.5, I'd use a 3.91 or 4.10.

The 1:1 gearbox is a blast with a 3.45 but 5th gear is way high on the revs.

[rThor432]

is there another diff that can pull 155 out of 5th n not b a slug in 1st

Well, the 2.93 with the 260 isnt a slug in first either.. I might go out and take 1st-3rd gear video in a little bit. I just realized that I've got a camera that is capable of video.

[gobuffs]

Stock 95 M3 diff was 3.15 FYI. 96s had a 3.23. Autos had a 3.38. There is no E36 that I can think of that had a 3.46. In fact 3.46s are fairly rare. Like others have said the E36 diff won't work, but the internals are the same 188mm.

[Uber E30]

2.93... its equal to a 3.73 with a g260

[Strickly German]

Well ive seen the 3.25 on youtube and looks like it gets about wat u guys say is there another diff that can pull 155 out of 5th n not b a slug in 1st

[russiane30]

What engine do you have? Did the car run into the great wall of aerodynamics at 145, or did you run out of revs?[/quote]


its an s52 and i ran out of revs

[e30polak]

The 3.46 diff will be faster in every respect, but will have a lower top speed, rev higher on the highway, and cause you to shift earlier.

I used to have the 3.25 with my s52+ZF set-up, and it was a great ratio. However, the 3.46 made the car accelerate faster in each gear. I will never go back! :woowoo:

[rThor432]

and secondly why cant i use the 95 e36 m3 diff isnt it a 3.46 also?

Only the auto-magic cars had that diff. The diff wont physically mount in your car, but iirc you can swap the ring/pinion/carrier into an E30 case.

get a 3.25 i bought one from BOBY and i love it on a highway u top out about 145 148 and i raced with my friends e36m3 he was in a 4th and i was in 5th and it looked like he was standing still. its verru torque

What engine do you have? Did the car run into the great wall of aerodynamics at 145, or did you run out of revs?