Diff question

[blueapplesoda]

will any diff from any bmw work in e30s by swapping the rear cover? or am i mistaken.

[MikeE30325i]

You Are Mistaken. There Are Small, Medium, And Large Cases. But Everyone I Hear Anything From Is Mixed, Some Say It Fits, But Others Say It Wont. I Am Not Too Sure

[Brew]

You Are Mistaken. There Are Small, Medium, And Large Cases. But Everyone I Hear Anything From Is Mixed, Some Say It Fits, But Others Say It Wont. I Am Not Too Sure

Maybe you shouldn't post then.

There are two "sizes" of diffs that will fit e30's. The "small" case diffs that came in 318s, and the "medium" case diffs that came in the I6 e30, the e30 M3, and e28s. Here's a decent link: http://www.e30eta.com/ecdiff.htm

[erik325i]

will any diff from any bmw work in e30s by swapping the rear cover? or am i mistaken.

no, you are mistaken. There are only certain cars that have e30 compatible diffs. You can use the diff from e30s, Z3s, 5-series [I think the e28], probably the 318ti, and I think even the e24 (this one may be wrong). You will need to swap the cover and output flanges in order to use most of these though.

-Erik

[blueapplesoda]

sweet thanks

[AdamF 88iS]

You can use small and medium case diffs from

E24 (non-M)
E28 (non-M)
E30
E36- TI or Z3 only.

If you're tricky you can swap gear sets from E32s, E34s, E36s, and others... the guts are the same but the housings are totally different.

[Rocla]

You can use small and medium case diffs from

E24 (non-M)
E28 (non-M)
E30
E36- TI or Z3 only.

and
E34 very early m20 powered ones.

E28, E24 and E34 have type 188(=medium= e30 "big") case and will require e30 drive flanges and back cover.

I don't know about z's and ti's.

[crazynoll]

does anyone know if an 86 325e has LSD?

[euro3]

E28's

M30 powered E28's had the large type (210mm).

I'm pretty sure E34's have the large as well.

And, since E24's were powered by M30 I'm guessing they also have the large case

[AdamF 88iS]

and
E34 very early m20 powered ones.

E28, E24 and E34 have type 188(=medium= e30 "big") case and will require e30 drive flanges and back cover.

I don't know about z's and ti's.

E34s don't used the same case. If you're talking strictly 188 gear sets, then you can use damn near any BMW diff.

[joshh]

does anyone know if an 86 325e has LSD?

It was a factory option. If the casing has a white painted "S" on it then yes....or the tag has an S then the gearing numbers for the diff.

[crazynoll]

It was a factory option. If the casing has a white painted "S" on it then yes....or the tag has an S then the gearing numbers for the diff.

ok thanks

[Mr.SWISS]

So the e28 535is diff will NOT work?

[AdamF 88iS]

So the e28 535is diff will NOT work?

Have to swap the rear cover and output flanges. The main case is the same though.

[nando]

how about the M couple and MZ3 roadster? I know the cover works but I have no idea on the diff.