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Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:31 am
by podiumprep
Hi All
I am looking to change the gearing in our 325i sport 1989 E30. Running a standard diff I believe the gearing is 3.73, Medium casing (188). It also runs on 16inch wheels.
It is used for circuit racing so we would like to put a 4.10 + or more crown and pinion into the medium casing.
I have been told E28 and E36 gears fit, which ones and ratios I don’t know.
Anyone done this before?
Andy
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:13 pm
by e30-EVN
It would go like stink off the mark on a 4.1 ratio!! Busy through the gears but lively to say the least lol. I left my 4.1 2.0 diff on when I put m20b25 in my car and it was brill

. Didn't really top it out but I would say it would only do about 130mph but get there quite impressively!

Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:20 pm
by Ant
3.91 medium case LSD best option, 4.10 small case will last approx 1/2 day of abuse MAX
alternative is use a ZF gearbox with a 1:1 ratio from an E36, bolts up to M20 no issue. 081:1 in top for getrag you have now.
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:20 pm
by podiumprep
This is what we are after. So were did you get a 4.1?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:31 pm
by podiumprep
Ant wrote:3.91 medium case LSD best option, 4.10 small case will last approx 1/2 day of abuse MAX
alternative is use a ZF gearbox with a 1:1 ratio from an E36, bolts up to M20 no issue. 081:1 in top for getrag you have now.
Sounds intresting. So what model does the ZF gearbox come out of then?
Am i correct to say the e36 diff as same as the e30? Or is it just the C/P gears?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:41 pm
by e30-EVN
In fairness ant I gave my car a feck load of abuse lol, infact I've hooked my m50 up to it just to get my car moving until I can source the right diff for mine! I'm after a 3.73 or 3.64......
That being said, track use is a little different to fast road but I di give her a lot of stick

Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:26 pm
by podiumprep
Be nice if i could find a e36 crown and pinion to fit!
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:07 pm
by teamalsoran
i've got a 4.27 in mine, i robbed the crownwheel and pinion from a E34 518
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:37 pm
by podiumprep
teamalsoran wrote:i've got a 4.27 in mine, i robbed the crownwheel and pinion from a E34 518
What year was the car? auto or manaul? that sounds perfect!
How do you find gearing? ie does it top out?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:51 pm
by podiumprep
bump on this
Still looking for a 4.1 Med case
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:26 pm
by Grrrmachine
Have you put an ad up in the Wanted section?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:54 pm
by podiumprep
After some reading it turns out you can fit the E34 C&P into the E30 Med casing, anyone tried or done this? and with what ratios?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:16 pm
by Ajsingh
I had my 2.7 running on a 4.10 diff and it was great fun! Off the line was real quick but it soon gave up and blew..
I now run a 3.91 LSD and its great! Haven't lost any off the line speed and its still great fun
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:49 pm
by daimlerman
Gareth will be able to build you a diff to your spec,pretty much,may well be worth a PM to him.
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:01 pm
by podiumprep
And what diffs we're they Ajsigh? Medium? Small?
Does Gareth know if E34's swap over then?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:05 pm
by daimlerman
podiumprep wrote:
Does Gareth know if E34's swap over then?
Gareth will know how to build you a diff that will be difficult to break and give you the ratio that you need.
Some bits from other BMW diffs will swap into a case that will fit E30,but you really do need some specialist advice.....Gareth can offer this.
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:17 pm
by Ajsingh
Its now got a large case LSD. The 4.10 was a small case diff
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:21 pm
by podiumprep
So how do i get hold of this Gareth then, i couldnt find him in the menbers list?
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:01 pm
by mrb27
Ant wrote:3.91 medium case LSD best option, 4.10 small case will last approx 1/2 day of abuse MAX
alternative is use a ZF gearbox with a 1:1 ratio from an E36, bolts up to M20 no issue. 081:1 in top for getrag you have now.
i raped my 2.7 with a 4.1 for about 6 months until it was sold, never made a peep and was RAPID!! lol
Re: Diff ratio options
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:13 am
by gareth
podiumprep wrote:So how do i get hold of this Gareth then, i couldnt find him in the menbers list?
PM me
If you want a strong 4.1:1 LSD, you'll need to find a 188mm medium case diff (early E34's with small engines are the best place to start looking) and a E30 LSD.
I can then build one diff from the two.
Getting a good 3.91:1 LSD is the best option if you're on a budget but finding a good one is getting a lot harder.
A 4.1:1 diff in a E30 will only have been small case and it'll go pop if you've got any real power