So what s up with my Z3 sourced LSD?

[a3ternus]

Well,hello to everyone reading! :)

I recently got the internals of a Z3 lsd installed in my 4.27 open differential but apart from the 25% lock I have no idea whatsoever about this diff.

Can someone help me on this?
Is it a steady 25% locking LSD?
Is it a one or two way?
Is it better than an E30 one?
Whats up in general?

N.

[a3ternus]

noone?

[e30_325es]

Pics?

[a3ternus]

Pics?

Why would you need photos of small case diff? :p

Anyway,the mechanic told me its a 0-25% LSD.
Anything more anyone has to add on this?
N.

[SiGmA_X]

My bad, apparently its a torsen diff.

[StereoInstaller1]

See, and i was told the LSD in a Z is viscous, meaning basically variable lockup.

Less of a snap oversteer issue in the rain...but I don't know much about these.

[guibo09]

alot of bad info in this thread...

anyway, if you did get a proper Z3 diff that is infact LSD (some are open), you got a torsen diff. unless the diff came from an //M Z3, then it is clutch, same as most bmw LSDs.

torsen LSD is very different to both clutch and viscous. google torsen, and do some research.

[SiGmA_X]

Wow good info. Are you sure of that? I wasn't aware the Z3's had a special diff. I'm still not convinced, actually, can you cite your sources?

[guibo09]

Wow good info. Are you sure of that? I wasn't aware the Z3's had a special diff. I'm still not convinced, actually, can you cite your sources?

yes im sure. ive just bought a torsen LSD from a z3. here is one of many sources you would have found if you did some research

http://www.zvolution.com/documents/00/77/SI_00_77_98_Z3_coupe_2.8_and_M_coupe_Introduction.pdf

EDIT: and bmw clutch diffs are 2-way, not 1-way

[StereoInstaller1]

Man up Luke! ;)

It would be for Kims car, mine already has LSD.

I really don't want her to "man up"

[kamotors]

yeah z3 4.27 is a torsen diff, I'm running the complete z3 diff in my car, and its a direct swap, no need to swap flanges or anything.

[StereoInstaller1]

yeah z3 4.27 is a torsen diff, I'm running the complete z3 diff in my car, and its a direct swap, no need to swap flanges or anything.

Since you live in reno I am not gonna ask if it is truly different in the rain...

Serioulsy guys, 2 quick questions: How much safer is the Torsen style vs. clutch style

and

How can you tell them apart just by looking?

[SiGmA_X]

yes im sure. ive just bought a torsen LSD from a z3. here is one of many sources you would have found if you did some research

http://www.zvolution.com/documents/00/77/SI_00_77_98_Z3_coupe_2.8_and_M_coupe_Introduction.pdf

EDIT: and bmw clutch diffs are 2-way, not 1-way

Thank you. It would have been easy enough for you to post that initially :)

It would be for Kims car, mine already has LSD.

I really don't want her to "man up"

She'll be fine with either. And if not, to a skid pad she shall go!

[guibo09]

Since you live in reno I am not gonna ask if it is truly different in the rain...

Serioulsy guys, 2 quick questions: How much safer is the Torsen style vs. clutch style

and

How can you tell them apart just by looking?

torsen is safer because it wont suddenly lock up and create an unexpected skid like a clutch diff might. it's more progressive and adaptive.

if you are just looking at an assembled diff... cant really tell em apart. unless you are sure it is an LSD, the torsen's axles flanges should spin opposite ways when you turn the input flange, like an open diff. clutch will spin both flanges the same way.

best way however is too look at the internals.

[a3ternus]

So,the said LSD is a torsen 0-25% diff from a MZ3 car?
N.
PS.I just replaced the diff unit,not the whole differential.