3.46:1 ya or na

[ericzz]

I want raw pull off the line and up to 80 or so . I have a 3.25:1 in it now and it's great , would I loose alot of top end or would the highway be a drag . opinions welcomed thanks


S52 /E36 M3 TRANS

[SchnellerVert]

Which gear box do you have ZF from 328/M or Getrag 260? You will be doing more shifting with it and going to notice a drop in top speed, but since it's a public street car who cares.

3.46 from a 635csi are fairly common so it should not cost you that much coin. I say do it.

[Low Level E30]

I think 3.25 is perfect - almost on the edge of too high. My feeling is that 3.46 is too high, but you'll be the one paying the price in gas and RPM / noise, so that's your choice.

You've already got an S52 --- low gear pull has got to be good already.

Remember - there's no such thing as "Fast enough" - so keep it in perspective.

Brakes have to be faster than the car, too.

[FredK]

I have an M50 swap with a 3.46 and the highway isn't really a drag. It's tolerable. But I probably wouldn't run it on a daily driver, or if I expected to go on the highway a lot.

[ericzz]

I rarely drive on the highway either so I think it will work for me .

[1990m3]

YA!!!

It's on my s50 daily driver. 11k of daily driving, low 21mpg around town. My motor is modded and the 3.46 rips around town. It's a blast! It's not bad on the highway but from 60-100 in 5th it pulls really hard. Nice thing is I can drive it like a grandma and always be in a higher gear and it has plenty of torque even from 1800RPM or so if I'm just cruising. I can still go 140mph+

On the track it's pretty great too. I don't think I would have been nearly as quick with a 3.25 diff. The lead instructor in the Z4 Mcoupe told me he couldn't catch me in the straights. I had to let off in 4th behind a race prepped e46 m3 otherwise I would have taken out his rear bumper...pretty much made my day. With the right gearing these cars are very fast! On the same track my e30 m3 is doing about 115mph on the front straight where s50 swapped car does 124mph! That's a huge difference!

I did want a 3.25 for a while but I dealt with the 3.46 and got used to it. I think it's fine and sure is fun. It's also nice to start from a stop in 2nd gear, keeping the revs below 1000RPM just because your lazy. When I dragged my brother I dropped the clutch off the line in 2nd and destroyed his car. I had minimal wheel spin and shot out of the hole, by the time he was done spinning tires I was gone, it was hysterical.

Go with the 3.46, it only takes a few hours to swap diffs if you really hate it. You didn't build this car to drive it like a grandma...what's the worst that could happen?

[MR 325]

I'd imagine a 3.46 with a ZF trans is similar to running a 4.10 with an M20 trans, eh?

[8ball]

If you swap out I'll buy your 3.25. Just PM me. I have a 2.93 in my S52 E30 with M3 tranny and it pulls hard but not as quick as I would like. Since the stock M3 rear end is a 3.15 and we're lighter a 3.25 is a nice setup. 3.46 would be for those of us that want that extra umpf. I have a 318ti with M52 and ZF tranny spinning a 3.73 and it's just stupid. 3.46 is probably a good ratio for both cars.

[equate975]

I wanted to run a 3.46 with my zf. After putting in the 3.25 I even think thats a bit low. Shifting is really quick as it is. Anything higher though I think wouldn't be good so I'm stickin with the 3.25

With that said, I would stick with the 3.25

[So Live]

I have the zf and im running a 3.73 lsd!!! Im seeing 3k rpms at 60mph haha and tops out at about 125mph at redline in 5th. I see highway probably 20min a week tops and i can deal with it. Actually it keeps me going slower because of the rpms. Its not a bad thing and its fun as shit around town. I can actually start in 2nd pretty easily too. I rarely use 1st unless starting from a 100% dead stop if im slightly rolling i can use 2nd with ease.

(have a non-vanos m50)

[BimmerToad]

I'd imagine a 3.46 with a ZF trans is similar to running a 4.10 with an M20 trans, eh?

4.10 w/ 260 equates to a 3.32 ratio in 5th, so it's between a 3.25 and a 3.46 rear end on a E36 tranny.

The E36 boxes have a taller 1st and 2nd gear than the 260, which might make stop and go traffic easier. Or you can always start it in 2nd ... :)

[MR 325]

4.10 w/ 260 equates to a 3.32 ratio in 5th, so it's between a 3.25 and a 3.46 rear end on a E36 tranny.

The E36 boxes have a taller 1st and 2nd gear than the 260, which might make stop and go traffic easier. Or you can always start it in 2nd ... :)

Considering this info, I'd say stay with the 3.25

[BeirBrennerE30]

you guys havent lived until you throw a 3.91 in there... let me tell you the acceleration is neck breaking! I am actually considering the 4.10 with the s52. IMHO people are way to conservative with their gearing

[FredK]

Well, not everybody has a 6 speed. :D

[1990m3]

4.10 is no good. I drove an s52 swapped car with the 4.10, it was fun for a few minutes but then it was just ridiculous. 3.64 is what lots of racers run in their e36 m3's...just something to think about.