4.10 Diff cross country

[slammin.e28]

Lolcantmpg

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

I guess my next question would be, what is your alternative if sustained 5,000rpm driving would blow up your car? Are you going to do a diff-swap before driving across the country?? That would almost certainly be more unreliable than driving on a set-up that hopefully has proven itself to be reliable.

As a matter of principle, I try to avoid doing something major to the car and then immediately taking it hundreds of miles away from home.

I think you'll be fine.

[lolcantturn]

I guess my next question would be, what is your alternative if sustained 5,000rpm driving would blow up your car? Are you going to do a diff-swap before driving across the country?? That would almost certainly be more unreliable than driving on a set-up that hopefully has proven itself to be reliable.

As a matter of principle, I try to avoid doing something major to the car and then immediately taking it hundreds of miles away from home.

I think you'll be fine.

Alternative? Well, I'd have to rent a u-haul and tow my car home. Perhaps leave it at a nice R3v'ers house, take a flight back, and have it auto transported back to my house within the month.

I'm not going to diff swap because my diff has proven me. I have a 3.73lsd available to me, but it's reliability is questionable. I have a spare 4.10 open small case that is also known to be reliable, but carrying it in the trunk would be cumbersome. That is assuming the diff bearings would blow.

[LJ851]

Stay off the interstates, it's more interesting on the side roads anyway.

[lolcantturn]

Stay off the interstates, it's more interesting on the side roads anyway.

Yep, we bought a map already. We plan on taking just US routes instead of interstates.

[evandael]

no one has ever driven a 318is with a 4.10 diff across the country. it just can't be done.

[slammin.e28]

no one has ever driven a 318is with a 4.10 diff across the country. it just can't be done.

It's like trying to lick your elbow. Not happening.

[straightsixe30]

I've been contemplating the same thing. I suppose if you stay on US routes the revs shouldn't be bad, and it would be all that more entertaining. If 4.10 means a more enjoyable trip at the cost of a little more fuel, so be it.

[coldweatherblue]

if you are driving that far just take it easy. drive 70 mph 10 hrs a day and stop at cool places, go to a bar, pass out in your hotel, eat bfast at a local diner and do it over again. that's a better plan than balls to the wall 100 mph cross country in 35 hours shit

[bmwstudent]

Change the oil in the if your really worried about it. A little preventative maintenance never hurt anyone.

[TimKninja]

Use a 3.73

E30 diffs don't really explode. They
Just make a lot of noise and crap .

My diff has 270k on it and it still locks up mint . And doesn't make any noise.

[F34R]

You are going coast to coast and your diff is what you are most worried about?

LOLCANTUNDERSTAND
Get a 2.93 and get better mpg, it is a no brainer.

[phreshkid]

It's like trying to lick your elbow. Not happening.

I can actually lick my elbow. Just sayin'

[e34john]

if you are driving that far just take it easy. drive 70 mph 10 hrs a day and stop at cool places, go to a bar, pass out in your hotel, eat bfast at a local diner and do it over again. that's a better plan than balls to the wall 100 mph cross country in 35 hours shit

Don't you know he's the next Alex Roy.

OP, if you are that concerned, I would pick up a used open higher gear diff. They aren't expensive. Or just change the fluid and take off. As suggested, take breaks and enjoy yourself, won't be too bad as long as you're not listening to that engine wail for 10 hours a day.

[shaferbm]

Stay off the interstates, it's more interesting on the side roads anyway.

Clearly, have you read Zen and the Art of E30 maintenance, hey?