E30 Zone

how much brake horse power and/or torque could standard e30 running gear take? prop, halfshafts and diff
cheers

Well, you can break anything with bad use but the weakest link is gearbox and driveshafts. They can take 400-500hp but not more.

If you're using M20 / M50 then E36 ZF box (M3, 328) is the one to choose. They can hold up to 1000hp (which sounds really much but it's true). Typ 188 diff won't hold much more than 400-500hp if not strengthened so it should be changed to typ210 which can take quite a lot.
Also typ210 driveshafts can take some abuse but they won't last forever.


What kind of setup you're going for?

v8 power, propshaft i know will probly have to be custom made, as well as driveshafts, im just looking for a differential that will swap onto the original bmw rear axle carrier but still take 4-500 hp

Propshaft (kardanwelle?), driveshafts and differential can handle that power if they're in good condition. Though it wouldn't hurt you to swap them to E28 535 (or E34 M5, should be easier) stuff.

By swapping M5 diff and part of rear axle you get stronger rear "bearing" for propshaft and stronger driveshafts.

Here's pic of one such thingie

ive had problems with my diff mount metal cracking and ive only got around 330bhp and 300lbft.

is the m5 track wider/narrower or the same width as the e30?
when you say diff mount cracking do you mean the axle carrier or the separate rear mount

leeman69 wrote:is the m5 track wider/narrower or the same width as the e30?
when you say diff mount cracking do you mean the axle carrier or the separate rear mount

It's wider quite a lot so you need to modify driveshafts. Lots of info about that on www.pure-pf.com / forum ;)

He means separate rear mount, it cracks quite easily (forgot to mention that earlier). But that has to be remade anyways when moving to typ210 diff.

Read several reports of diff mountings failing with big power,both the rear beam mount and the rear diff bush mount will need thought and strengthening.
Seems that power in the order of 200-250bhp can be managed on a careful choice of 'stock' items but for more than this stronger parts and changes of underwear will be required....

fuzzy wrote:ive had problems with my diff mount metal cracking and ive only got around 330bhp and 300lbft.

The diff cover or body fixing point?
This is one reason why I wont use poly or uprated rear beam/diff mount bushes, the harder they are the more stress is transmitted through to the body