Driveshaft questions.

[matt]

Hey everybody. I'm putting an M50 into my '90 auto 325i and I'd like to use a ZF 328i transmission that a friend has. I know everyone says "Get an e30 M3 driveshaft" but I don't have the bankroll for that ($420 reman) so I've got a few driveshaft questions. Yes, I searched.

A) Can I use the stock rear section with an e30 M3 front section?

B) Would the entire driveshaft from an e36 328i work if I put on an e30 CSB? I have not asked if it has a 4 bolt diff flange.

C) Would the front section from the 328i driveshaft mate up to the rear section that's already on my e30?

Thanks guys!

Matt

[FredK]

Search harder d00d!! Just kidding!

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=487341&postcount=8

This is pretty much what I plan on doing (328i DS + ZF 320 trans).

A 97+ E36 M3 (S52) driveshaft will work too. You don't want to mate up the 328i front section to the rear section already on the E30, because you'll have to pay to get the driveshaft rebalanced.

EDIT: edited for clarity

[matt]

Hmm. Do you guys think it'd be worth the hassle and expense of getting an e30 M3 driveshaft to get the ZF over an e36 getrag?

Are you sure the driveshaft will work with the e30 CSB or do you need to use the e36 CSB? And are you sure that the e36 driveshaft will bolt to my diff?

[FredK]

Hmm. Do you guys think it'd be worth the hassle and expense of getting an e30 M3 driveshaft to get the ZF over an e36 getrag?

If you plan on staying with a naturally aspirated M50, fine. If you plan on dropping in a turbo or S5x motor down the road, the extra cost of the ZF is probably worth it. You can run a 240mm clutch with the Getrag 250, if you get the flywheel, clutch, PP, etc. from an M3. However, it's just rated for less power than the ZF 320.

Are you sure the driveshaft will work with the e30 CSB or do you need to use the e36 CSB? And are you sure that the e36 driveshaft will bolt to my diff?

I'm not sure yet. I have the 328i DS with the E36 CSB, and I have brand new CSBs for an E30 and also for an E36. So, when I get to it, I'll be prepared for almost any combination of shit hitting a fan.

[matt]

Yeah, I have the clutch business all sorted out. I'm going with a JB aluminum one to fit an e36 M3, with a new OE M3 clutch and slave cylinder regardless of which tranny I use.

All the CSBs in the world won't help you if the flange for the differential is different...

[FredK]

Oh yeah I totally forgot about that. The flange bolt circle diameter SHOULD be the same, I'll check on that tonight. I'm willing to bet it's gonna be the same. If not I'll have to source the correct diff input flange.

[matt]

Oh yeah I totally forgot about that. The flange bolt circle diameter SHOULD be the same, I'll check on that tonight. I'm willing to bet it's gonna be the same. If not I'll have to source the correct diff input flange.

Then you have to hope the splines on the diff flange are the same, and there aren't any clearance issues, or issues with the pinion shaft seal.

Then a $500 e30 M3 driveshaft that comes with a CSB and guibo starts looking REALLY good.

[FredK]

Well, it's not gonna keep me up at night. :mrgreen:

I'll check it out for you tonight, and I'll report back. No use speculating.

[matt]

Thanks.

[FredK]

Yes, the E36 driveshaft has an identical bolt circle diameter for the differential input flange as the E30. I just matched it up in my garage a few minutes ago.

Hopefully the CSB works out.

[matt]

Alright, thanks a lot.

[1990m3]

$500 for a driveshaft, sheesh....

I bought mine used for $75, there are plenty of good deals out there...keep looking. BMW driveshaft designs are good, they don't fail very often.

[matt]

$440 for an e30 M3 Driveshaft brand spanking new OE from a BMW dealership. With CSB and guibo.

Honestly that sounds like a hell of a deal.

[arsevader]

$440 for an e30 M3 Driveshaft brand spanking new OE from a BMW dealership. With CSB and guibo.

Honestly that sounds like a hell of a deal.

Yeah, sounds almost too good to be true.

[FredK]

SHIT THAT'S AN AWESOME PRICE. You must have bought two driveshafts! Just kidding.

All in all, $440 is not too bad if it includes a guibo and CSB, because combined those two things will run around $120 - 160. I think the going rate for a used E30 M3 DS is around $200 including a used CSB.