What final drive ratio should I get?

[BeirBrennerE30]

Well round no.1 of summer mods is almost complete so I am thinking of round 2...
I was looking into getting a a new diff from www.diffsonline.com but im not 100% on what my final drive ratio should be... I want a ratio that would be very compatable with an s50 with a euro6speed since those mods are coming soon... im more concerned with acceleration than top speed since the e30 isnt aerodynamic enough to hit super high speeds... i was thinking of going with the 3.64:1 but again im not 100% and i would appreciate any feedback you guys could give me.... especially from people with s50 swaps and 6speeds...

Thanks again guys

[e30Matt]

I'm (hopefully) putting in a 540i 6-speed trans with the M50, and I'm hoping to retain a 4.10 rear end. I know I'll be rowing through the gears down low, though... 3.64 or 3.73 would probably be a good idea.

[BeirBrennerE30]

I'm (hopefully) putting in a 540i 6-speed trans with the M50, and I'm hoping to retain a 4.10 rear end. I know I'll be rowing through the gears down low, though... 3.64 or 3.73 would probably be a good idea.

you would have to be shifting nonstop with a 4.10... i was thinking that shifting that muc would probably slow you down on a tight track and totally negate any acceleration advantage you might get from it.... but in all honestly i have no idea since i have no expirence dricing a car like that

[M-technik-3]

I tend to agree with you on that. What is the final drive on a 6 spd unit?

As for your ? on ratio I have a 3.73 lsd sitting around out of my car. Are you home in Mass yet?

I see you floated back here due to DTM being dead. What gives?

[e30Matt]

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Drive system: Front engine / rear drive
Transmission: Getrag Type D, 6-speed
Gear Ratios
1st 4.23:1
2nd 2.53:1
3rd 1.67:1
4th 1.23:1
5th 1.00:1
6th 0.83:1
Reverse 3.75:1
Final drive ratio 2.81:1

[SlammedE30]

There is a local guy who runs a Euro 3.0L that's been heavily modded (370hp) and a euro 6 speed in his E36 M3 LTW and he has a 4.10. I say either a 3.91 or a 3.73
-Ted

[M-technik-3]

That's alot of shifting but a 4.10 will be suitable. 6th thou is just about the same as a getrag 260 unit so why bother?

[e30Matt]

How do you get the final gear ratios? Do you multiply the transmission's gear ratio by the final drive?

I'm not familiar with this stuff at all, I just consulted the McHenrys about it since they're down the road.

[M-technik-3]

Final drive is published. But my concern was the ratio for sixth as a ZF unit has a 1:1 ratio for 5th it doesn't work well with a M50. Too buzzy, an od 0.83 6th with a 3.73 would be nice.

[e30Matt]

Do you think a 3.73 with the 540i trans would be a better idea? I've got a low miileage E30 M3 4.10LSD in my car right now I could probably fetch a pretty penny for if I needed to.

[M-technik-3]

Do you think a 3.73 with the 540i trans would be a better idea? I've got a low miileage E30 M3 4.10LSD in my car right now I could probably fetch a pretty penny for if I needed to.

You can swap a diff in under an hour so doesn't matter. 3.73lsd are cheap too. I have two i have been trying to sell. they will be going to ebay soon i think.

[BeirBrennerE30]

I tend to agree with you on that. What is the final drive on a 6 spd unit?

As for your ? on ratio I have a 3.73 lsd sitting around out of my car. Are you home in Mass yet?

I see you floated back here due to DTM being dead. What gives?

yep i am back in mass until the very end of august... and as for floating back... im always around and all ways checking r3v but i just dont post much... i dunno why i guess i just dont feel as home here as i did with e3s

also i would have to wonder why BMW would use a 2.81:1 rear end wit hthat tranny... 6th gear would almost be unusable except at triple digit speeds... i guess haveing an autobahn makes a difference but even still i feel the 3.73 or a 3.64 would be much better suited for a performance car that lacked aerodynamics needed for say 180mph