Driveshafts make my head spin...

[evil_twin]

Hey BrokeE30, I am going to keep in touch with you, because I am doing the M52 swap soon. So you're saying that an UNMODIFIED eta driveshaft will work with my ZF transmission?

So I have 2 options then...
UNMODIFIED eta driveshaft
or
E36 328 drive shaft (4 bolts)

I know the 97 M3 drive shaft has 6 bolts, so not all M3s will work.

[etxxz]

my engine/tranny AND driveshaft are from a 97 M roadster and i'm using them all in my 2dr..

[windsor318is]

i think it matters what diff your using as well, i think the flange is longer on the ETA 2.93 diffs, compared to the smaller 4:10 or 3:73

[evil_twin]

my engine/tranny AND driveshaft are from a 97 M roadster and i'm using them all in my 2dr..

Hmmm, then there's another option in the formula... Because I have a 97 M3 sitting next to me with the tranny out, and the drive shaft is a 6 bolt. Sweet! More options!

[windsor318is]

well got my e36 m3 shaft, and it seems like a perfect fit, and the CSB holes line up better now. awaiting shift kit.

[evil_twin]

Off of what year M3 did you take it off of? and what diff are you using?

[sharky]

The shaft I have in my garage from my 96 m3 is a 6 bolt. If I do this swap can I either change the output flange on the diff or swap to a 4 bolt end half of the driveshaft?

[quillbro]

im going with a ZF unit.... And switching my stock 3.73 Diff to... IDK yet... But I want to pick up a lower ratio unit with less miles.

If i pick up an early m3 or 96+ 328 shaft, will those both bolt up to any e36 rear diff? I know theres talk of the 4 bolt/6 bolt flanges. Does anyone know which diffs have which bolt patterns? Im kinda confused

[Fidhle007]

Z3 (AFIK,) E30 and E28 diffs should all have the four-bolt input shaft. I'm not sure you can make the E36 diff fit so I'd stick with the four-bolt units. Two good diff options are the 3.25 out of an E28 (will require swapping the rear cover and output shafts with an e30 unit, this is the route I went) or a 2.93 out of an ETA which should bolt right up.

[windsor318is]

Off of what year M3 did you take it off of? and what diff are you using?

97 m3, and im using a ETA 2.93 diff

[quillbro]

Z3 (AFIK,) E30 and E28 diffs should all have the four-bolt input shaft. I'm not sure you can make the E36 diff fit so I'd stick with the four-bolt units. Two good diff options are the 3.25 out of an E28 (will require swapping the rear cover and output shafts with an e30 unit, this is the route I went) or a 2.93 out of an ETA which should bolt right up.

I guess thats a route... my only concern for getting an e36 diff is something with lower miles. I dont know i feel about putting a diff in my car that allready has 150-200k on it.. But then again im a newb...

Is it not a big deal to have a diff with high miles? I would just think the gears would wear much like tranny gears over time. But who know...

One thing is for sure Any parts that i can salvage off my own car is plus one!! So maybe the 3.25 e28 is a way to go. Were all the e28's that ratio? Just wondering because most of the time the salvage guys cant tell you anything beyond year and part number

[Fidhle007]

Just find an E28 LSD and count the rotations if you want to be really sure. I think the 3.25 came out of the 535is Auto but I could be wrong. My 3.73 diff had 257k on it and it worked fine, I'm unsure of the mileage on the 3.25 I have now but it also works fine even though it whines like a bastard. That's what all solid bushings in the rear end will do though...