M6x E30 Rear ends

[P Arkus]

For all you M6x swapped guys (even the LSx and ford v8 swappers), what rear ends are you guys running? I'm talking upgraded axles, trailing arms, subframes, differentials, or whatever else you have upgraded to make the rear of the car stronger and able to accept the increase in power.

I've never busted an axle (never had a car powerful enough lol), but I know that increased torque and increased power can do a number on the axles. I have also read that the Z3M rear axles are a good upgrade for E30's pushing a bit more.

So what are you guys running? Stock E30 rear ends or upgraded parts? Do you feel the stock E30 components can take the abuse of the v8? Hoping to get a decent discussion going about this because i'm still researching the swap and not sure if this is something I should be concerned about

cheers!

[Gertech]

I'd like to hear what others are running as well. On my car, I upgraded to an e36 cover for the 2 ears to help tie the diff into the car a little better. Other than that, I installed new axles (cheap feq ones) because my stockers were toast, and also installed new subframe bushings and poly trailing arm bushings. I added some gussets to the trailing arms (while you're in there) but I don't know how much that actually helps.

Anyway, what's everybody else doing? Beefy axles anyone?

[gobuffs]

Why limit it to M6x? I have the Z3 M coupe rear end in my car (no upgraded to it other than solid mounts and camber and toe adjusters. Haven't had the V& in long enough to get any time on the track it. Had no issues with the S54.

[P Arkus]

No intent to limit it to just M6x, I just brought that up as its my intent to swap one in. But for the benefit of everyone, post it up whichever swap/turbo you have. At the end of the day, high power/torque is high power/torque, no matter what you use to achieve it!

[e30_302]

Watching this with interest. It *seams* as though the rear is pretty stout. I plan on bracing the trailing arms, and have upgraded the bushings. Might do some homemade second diff mount. Aside from that, I'm basically going to see what happens. Application, use/and abuse, will have a lot to do with it. Big difference between launching it on slicks vs blasting up on-ramps.

[The Dark Side of Will]

If you don't drop the clutch in 1st, you'll probably never break an axle. Careful use can make unlikely combos live. Abuse can kill anything. The T5 transmission in older Mustangs is a classic example... some guys can race them for years without a failure. Some guys can't keep one alive through a single race weekend.

I have a Cadillac Northstar V8 in a Pontiac Fiero. WAAAYYYY more traction than an E30 due to the rear weight bias. I have 315 HP at the wheels, but GM never used the transaxle with an engine that made more than 200 HP. The axle splines are actually smaller than BMW's 188mm diff output flange splines. I keep it alive by not dropping the clutch in 1st gear. I have broken an inner CV joint, though.

Gear ratio, traction and flywheel weight are hardest on axles.

If you have a stock weight flywheel, especially the dual mass, 4.20 first gear from a 310Z or 420G and drag radials, you may be living on borrowed time, especially more aggressive rear gears.

You axles will see ~40% less torque in 2nd gear than in 1st. The shift itself can break things if you powershift with a heavy flywheel.

I've heard of 188mm LSD diffs with the 94mm output flanges (e.g. E34 535i) living behind turbo engines and running pretty quick in the quarter mile... don't know for how long, though.

[dirty30]

The stock e30 rear is fine but you will want to get a taller diff. I have a 3.23 LSD from an M coupe coupled with my 6 speed. This lets me cruise at 80 at around 3200ish. I also just upgraded to M coupe trailing arms, brakes etc. to compliment the E36 M3 front stuff.

[P Arkus]

I'll definitely be putting in a taller diff. I've decided anything between a 3.15-3.25 would make me happy both for city and highway cruising. Only thing I'm researching now is between the 2 Z3 differentials. Torsen vs Clutch LSD's

What are peoples thoughts on those? Assuming most are running clutch pack lsd's based on the higher availability. Anyone running a torsen?

[Jonsku]

M60 N/A doesn't kill E30 rear axle, it's strong enough for much higher hp/Nm - depending on the usage of course.

Only real modification in my V8 cabrio's rear axle were the camber and toe adjustment plates, otherwise it was the usual (Powerflex bushes, updated brakes, finned diff cover, stiffer springs and shocks). The propshaft front part was from E34 540, otherwise it was stock as well. Drove 20 000km without any problems and then sold the car.


Know many guys around here that use similar setup in +500hp turbo applications. There the only problem is launching with slicks, which typically kills the outer CV joint from a driveshaft. Very elegant solution to that problem is using typ 210 diff (weld cradle from E32/E34 rear subframe to E30 subframe) with E34 M5 CV joints and custom driveshafts, such as these from PPF:

[omarquez510]

I broke another axle today. The car probably makes around 300whp. I tried doing a brake stand and I heard the cv joint shatter. I knew exactly what happened, this is my 4th axle. I guess I'm laying off the hard launches and brake stands until I can afford DSS axles. Fuhk!

I have a stock 2.93lsd 225/15 Falken ziex 912's air pressure was down at 24psi. All axles have shattered at the inner joint.

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[The Dark Side of Will]

M60 N/A doesn't kill E30 rear axle, it's strong enough for much higher hp/Nm - depending on the usage of course.

I broke another axle today. The car probably makes around 300whp.
I have a stock 2.93lsd

Hmm... ;)

[omarquez510]

I have the video. I've personally destroyed 4 axles with two different ford sbf 302 setups. 3 on my turbo build and once on my aluminum head custom cam setup. I probably have less than 500 miles on both setups combined. Stock and aftermarket halfshafts.

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[LoneWolf]

I have the video. I've personally destroyed 4 axles with two different ford sbf 302 setups. 3 on my turbo build and once on my aluminum head custom cam setup. I probably have less than 500 miles on both setups combined. Stock and aftermarket halfshafts.

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What are you using the car for that's eating that many in 500 miles?

[omarquez510]

Twice "drifting". Twice during a burnout. This last time it shattered completely as soon as I popped the clutch. The times before the cj joint cracks and fall apart a couple hundred feet down the road.

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[JGood]

After doing an m60 swap, I broke one 300k mile axle while dumping the clutch while the car was already moving (don't ask...), and that axle was already thoroughly abused for the past 200k miles that I owned the car, with lots of launches on slicks, etc...

I then replaced both axles with lower mileage parts, and have beat the living shit out of them for 15k miles. I've been through 3 sets of 235/40/17 Sumitumo HTRZ II's on them. Burnouts, clutch drops, drifts, etc... No issues.

I'm sure my new engine has over 300wtq, probably 270-280whp. I've had it in for about 500 miles now. I've already dumped the clutch more times then I can count, still no issues.