Just Got A 4.10 LSD, WHAT FLUID???

[kishg]

There is a seperate compartment filled with silicone fluid that is factory sealed, but the gears obviously take gear oil. correct?

The more I look into this, the more unsure I am about putting this in my cabrio...

Advice???

thats correct. there is some confusion of the vc units (there are 2) with front and rear diffs in this thread. the diff's are clutch packs and will take oil. The auto ix has 4.10 diffs. Mine is an auto swapped to 5spd so retains it's 4.10 diffs. You should be fine swapping it in. I think it should be a direct bolt-in. Check the ix section on e30tech for more details as well.

[nando]

it will be fine - the only difference is the VC instead of a regular clutch pack.

[Teaguer]

Sure it will bolt in and work ....but it won't be ideal .

I just tend to believe that the VC diff is not meant ot hold up to the torque of a standard 2wd drivetrain and will meet an early demise .

In the IX the rear diff does not see as much torque coming through .

Like I said ...it will work ..but BMW put a viscous diff in the IX and a more robust clutch LSD in all others for a reason .

[bimmerboy12]

great now Im completely unsure. I may just put this up on ebay and look for a standard clutch 4.10 lsd. What is the VC 4.10 lsd worth?

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

late model S13 240sx comes with viscous LSD FYI

[bimmerboy12]

Is this your opinion or have you read this anywhere? Could it also be argued that the iX was BMW's flagship AWD traction machine and therefore "upgraded" to a viscous coupling? Just speculating and trying to get the facts. Any more thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Brian

Sure it will bolt in and work ....but it won't be ideal .

I just tend to believe that the VC diff is not meant ot hold up to the torque of a standard 2wd drivetrain and will meet an early demise .

In the IX the rear diff does not see as much torque coming through .

Like I said ...it will work ..but BMW put a viscous diff in the IX and a more robust clutch LSD in all others for a reason .

[Teaguer]

late model S13 240sx comes with viscous LSD FYI

Thats great but has no bearing whatsoever in this thread .
Lots of other makes have viscous diffs .

That is why I made it a point to say "BMW's VC diff" .

Is this your opinion or have you read this anywhere? Could it also be argued that the iX was BMW's flagship AWD traction machine and therefore "upgraded" to a viscous coupling? Just speculating and trying to get the facts. Any more thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Brian

Well the reason and example I gave is my own opinion yes .
But thinking that the IX was a flagship and therefore had a superior diff is just wishfull thinking on your part at best .

It really all depends on your intentions with your vert after insatlling the viscous diff .
Like I said sure it will bolt up and work ....if you just want to cruise around in your vert and feel better about having an LSD then sure it would be great for that .

But if you have any kind spirited driving , donuts, drifts auto-x or whatever in mind then it won't work very long for you and you are better off getting a clutch LSD like all other non-IX BMW's have .

Its not like a regular 4.10LSD is hard to find , they were standard on all 88.5 and later 325is automatics , an available option on all 88.5 and later 325i automatics and standard on all US M3's .

[bimmerboy12]

Thats great but has no bearing whatsoever in this thread .
Lots of other makes have viscous diffs .

That is why I made it a point to say "BMW's VC diff" .


Well the reason and example I gave is my own opinion yes .
But thinking that the IX was a flagship and therefore had a superior diff is just wishfull thinking on your part at best .

It really all depends on your intentions with your vert after insatlling the viscous diff .
Like I said sure it will bolt up and work ....if you just want to cruise around in your vert and feel better about having an LSD then sure it would be great for that .

But if you have any kind spirited driving , donuts, drifts auto-x or whatever in mind then it won't work very long for you and you are better off getting a clutch LSD like all other non-IX BMW's have .

Its not like a regular 4.10LSD is hard to find , they were standard on all 88.5 and later 325is automatics , an available option on all 88.5 and later 325i automatics and standard on all US M3's .

Like I said, just speculating. I won't be doing donuts or drifts or anything like that, I guess I drive sort of hard. The main reason I want this is for snow traction. We get snow and ice although in small amounts, and my cabby absolutely BLOWS in it. However, my wife's 328iC does awesome with an LSD. When i am able to go forward at a stop sign on level ground with a smattering of snow, THEN I will feel better about having an LSD.
Any idea about what my LSD is worth?

[nando]

Sure it will bolt in and work ....but it won't be ideal .

I just tend to believe that the VC diff is not meant ot hold up to the torque of a standard 2wd drivetrain and will meet an early demise .

In the IX the rear diff does not see as much torque coming through .

Like I said ...it will work ..but BMW put a viscous diff in the IX and a more robust clutch LSD in all others for a reason .

this is how I read your post:

"blah blah blah blah, I'm just making this up as I go."

it will be fine. won't hold up to autox, track etc? huh? what's your basis for this statement?

yes, BMW put clutch packs into the other E30s for a reason - cost.

[Teaguer]

this is how I read your post:
"blah blah blah blah, I'm just making this up as I go."
it will be fine. won't hold up to autox, track etc? huh? what's your basis for this statement?
yes, BMW put clutch packs into the other E30s for a reason - cost.

Ok I can see you are going to try and defend the IX and all but come on ...you gotta be for real .

How many non-IX E30's have you heard of that auto-x or track with an viscous diff ?
I'll tell you , NONE .

I personally would never install a IX viscous diff in any of my cars for the resons that I have already given .

[bimmerboy12]

Ok I can see you are going to try and defend the IX and all but come on ...you gotta be for real .

How many non-IX E30's have you heard of that auto-x or track with an viscous diff ?
I'll tell you , NONE .

I personally would never install a IX viscous diff in any of my cars for the resons that I have already given .

Another point is that i know 2 guys who autox and track with ix's... and specifically got ix's over is's for that purpose. Im gonna put it in and hold on to my open 3.73 just in case.
Will I have to detach my A-arms to get the half shafts out?

[e30Matt]

Another point is that i know 2 guys who autox and track with ix's... and specifically got ix's over is's for that purpose. Im gonna put it in and hold on to my open 3.73 just in case.
Will I have to detach my A-arms to get the half shafts out?

Nope, just unbolt them from the diff and they'll drop right down.

[bimmerboy12]

Hey all, put this in and it works great. What a difference! I can drive where I NEVER would have been able to before in snow and ice. Don't notice much difference in the gearing from a 3.73 to a 4.10.

[AWDE30]

Just saw this. Glad it worked.

[87e30]

good thread. seriously.