Tranny Gearing Difference: E36 ZF vs. E30 Getrag

[RobertK]

Anyone familiar enough with both of these transmissions to tell me what the difference between the two is in terms of gearing and durability?

[Stu]

getrag 260 is about

3.72
2.2
1.6
1
.805

e36 is about
4.32
dunno the rest
but 5th is direct

[RobertK]

So if I were to do an engine swap with my current 3.73 LSD I would probably want to get something geared lower? Do I have that right?

[Axxe]

So if I were to do an engine swap with my current 3.73 LSD I would probably want to get something geared lower? Do I have that right?

260 is what you want. ZF = new rear end.

[gjuu]

So if I were to do an engine swap with my current 3.73 LSD I would probably want to get something geared lower? Do I have that right?

You may want to look at this to help you out re diff ratio. Rev Calculator

[FredK]

If you go with a ZF you'll need a 2.93 to 3.25 diff.

Check out this thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=68302

[Stu]

3.46 (out of '88 5series super-eta) works great with the 1:1 5th trannys, but you'll need to swap the output flanges and rear cover. My dad used this rearend with a dogleg 265, then a E36 250, with the 2.9L engine going to 7500 it was very, very fast.