3.8l V6 swap, what type of rear differential do I use?

[Bpace86]

Hey guys, I’m swapping my 86 325 with an 3.8l V6 I found in a 90 Thunderbird Super Coupe. I went in to figure out my driveshaft and a couple people say they can’t make custom driveshafts with my stock one because the U-joint isn’t replaceable without seriously hard work. So after 5mins of research I found out you can use z3 diffs. Any idea which year z3 is easiest to fab into my rear end or any suggestions to any other methods I could use

[justinpirie]

Hey guys, I’m swapping my 86 325 with an 3.8l V6 I found in a 90 Thunderbird Super Coupe. I went in to figure out my driveshaft and a couple people say they can’t make custom driveshafts with my stock one because the U-joint isn’t replaceable without seriously hard work. So after 5mins of research I found out you can use z3 diffs. Any idea which year z3 is easiest to fab into my rear end or any suggestions to any other methods I could use

Z3 diffs are a swap in however they don’t actually solve your problem.

You’re going to probably end up needing a driveshaft made with 1310 yokes. 1350’s don’t fit the rear subframe.

I have been down a similar road with my 1uz swap. In the end I’m custom machining an adapter from 350z to e30 diff. I do have a 1310 to BMW input which is new and I haven’t ended up using for $100 shipped.

You might get lucky with a standard length driveshaft but you’ll need one of the mmc ones because of critical speed.

Have you figured out the exhaust and brake booster yet?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[iansane]

https://jagsthatrun.com/products/heavy-duty-driveshaft-flange-for-bmw-v8-engine-swaps

[justinpirie]

https://jagsthatrun.com/products/hea...8-engine-swaps

That’s what I have. Brand new and shipped for $100.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[djjerme]

https://jagsthatrun.com/products/hea...8-engine-swaps

Dang, I haven’t been on the Jags That Run site in a hot minute. Following this thread to see if this swap comes to fruition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[iansane]

Dang, I haven’t been on the Jags That Run site in a hot minute. Following this thread to see if this swap comes to fruition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FWIW, I used that adapter and had NW Drivelines make me a one piece driveline for my volvo swap. Fits 98% perfect. I had to "massage" the underside of the gas tank and shield because the weights used on the driveline scraped against them. Otherwise, JUST enough room.

[djjerme]

Back when I was mostly in the GM world and contemplating a TPI swap in to something, they did a lot of the custom swap driveline bits. But shoot that had to be maybe 20+ years ago?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk