M50/ZF with 2.79 final drive

[alexbaby88]

Anyone tried mating a 5sp ZF with 1:1 fifth with a 2.79 final drive? How does it affect acceleration in the lower gears? I have a stock 3.25 now and trying to get lower cruising RPMs (gearing calc shows 400rpm lower at 60mph) but obviously don't want to sacrifice too much in the first 4 gears.

[nrubenstein]

3.25 with an S50 is sluggish. 2.79 will be brutal. Save the money and get a 6-speed instead.

[alexbaby88]

3.25 with an S50 is sluggish. 2.79 will be brutal. Save the money and get a 6-speed instead.

Did you mean to say M50?

If you did would your comments also apply to S50B30?

[OTT]

3.25 is perfect in my opinion. I'm running a 4.45 right now and looking for a 3.25-3.46 ratio. I'm around 4k at 60mph and top out at like 105mph. How many rpms are you spinning at 60mph?

[MSFIT]

3.25 with an S50 is sluggish. 2.79 will be brutal. Save the money and get a 6-speed instead.

95 M3's came with 3.15's....96+ 3.23, auto's 3.38. In the e36 world, 3.38 is the diff to be had.

I ran a 3.91 in my last E36 (Topped out at 121mph), currently running a 3.73 in the e30 with a g250 trans (haven't been the track yet). I would imagine running a 2.79 would be like me starting out in second gear, with the M50 it just doesn't have enough power. I've tried it a few times since my first gear is over with really quick, second I need to feather the clutch till it gets up to speed some.

[Uber E30]

95 M3's came with 3.15's....96+ 3.23, auto's 3.38. In the e36 world, 3.38 is the diff to be had.

I ran a 3.91 in my last E36 (Topped out at 121mph), currently running a 3.73 in the e30 with a g250 trans (haven't been the track yet). I would imagine running a 2.79 would be like me starting out in second gear, with the M50 it just doesn't have enough power. I've tried it a few times since my first gear is over with really quick, second I need to feather the clutch till it gets up to speed some.

The g250 has TOTALLY different gearing then a ZF, why would you even comment about yours.

For the OP, a comparison in a stock e30... 3.25 is very close to a 4.10 and a 2.93 is close to a 3.73. Going anything below that only makes sense for turbo applications.

[dude8383]

95 M3's came with 3.15's....96+ 3.23, auto's 3.38. In the e36 world, 3.38 is the diff to be had.

I ran a 3.91 in my last E36 (Topped out at 121mph), currently running a 3.73 in the e30 with a g250 trans (haven't been the track yet). I would imagine running a 2.79 would be like me starting out in second gear, with the M50 it just doesn't have enough power. I've tried it a few times since my first gear is over with really quick, second I need to feather the clutch till it gets up to speed some.

I think that a compromise between a 3.25 and a 3.73 would be a 3.46 but those don't come up too often. I currently have a 3.25 lsd with my g250 and really like it. But then again, my m50 ain't so stock...

[OTT]

I think that a compromise between a 3.25 and a 3.73 would be a 3.46 but those don't come up too often. I currently have a 3.25 lsd with my g250 and really like it. But then again, my m50 ain't so stock...

He's got a ZF not a Getrag 250.

[M-technik-3]

Great for saving fuel, if you feel 3.25 is too buzzy split the two and use a 2.93 or a 3.07.

[dude8383]

He's got a ZF not a Getrag 250.

Gearing is not THAT much different between the two. Just giving him a comparison.

[BenM]

The g250 has TOTALLY different gearing then a ZF, why would you even comment about yours.

For the OP, a comparison in a stock e30... 3.25 is very close to a 4.10 and a 2.93 is close to a 3.73. Going anything below that only makes sense for turbo applications.

Bzzzt, wrong. The gearbox you're thinking that is totally different is the g260. g250 is an E34/e36 gearbox with 1:1 5th and nearly identical gearing to the ZF.

Also I don't know why anyone would go over a 3.46 if using a g250 or zf gearbox, when the 3.25 can be found pretty easily in most e28s.

[dude8383]

Bzzzt, wrong. The gearbox you're thinking that is totally different is the g260. g250 is an E34/e36 gearbox with 1:1 5th and nearly identical gearing to the ZF.

Also I don't know why anyone would go over a 3.46 if using a g250 or zf gearbox, when the 3.25 can be found pretty easily in most e28s.

Some guys like the 3.46 cause you'll get a bit more pick up from it. I'm not saying that I personally would rather have the 3.46 because I love my 3.25.

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=131163&highlight=3.46lsd

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=84037&highlight=3.46lsd

[BenM]

Some guys like the 3.46 cause you'll get a bit more pick up from it. I'm not saying that I personally would rather have the 3.46 because I love my 3.25.

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=131163&highlight=3.46lsd

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthre...hlight=3.46lsd

For sure man. I run a 3.46 in my M50TU swapped car and love it since it delivers the most usable gearing for track/street driving, but its the shortest diff I would want to run with a 1:1 5th gear.

[Uber E30]

Bzzzt, wrong. The gearbox you're thinking that is totally different is the g260.

Ah you are right they are identical from 3rd-5th. I have no idea how someone would run a 3.91 then.



4.25k on the freeway, yuck

[Elysian]

Gearing is not THAT much different between the two. Just giving him a comparison.

I don't have anything to add to the subject besides the fact I'd never go with a gearing that tall, but you've got an amazing looking car.