M52tub28 swap differential choice

[jimbo88b]

Hi, is anyone else running a 2.8 twin vanos with zf 5 speed box combination, from an E46? I'm using a 3.46 E34 diff but it's about half a gear too low. First gear is a waste of time as you can pull away in second and it's revving far too high when in fifth gear. I put the vin of the donor E46 into OEM and it says that had a 2.93 diff. I guess i should be looking for one around that ratio, but i've also got to consider that the E46 ran on 17" wheels and the E30 is on 15"s. Any ideas?

[HRH-squidlips_III]

i have m52 e36 zf 328 tranny i had a 3.64 in at first as expected way to low tried a small case z3 diff 3.38 still to low so got a e28 diff with a 3.15 ratio still to low for me but acceptable engine spins around 3500rpm
at 70mph
i,ve got 16" rims on but also got 17" alpina reps for the winter seems to help a little gets rpm down to 3300 rpm

[Motorhole]

2.93 will be perfect. But this would have to be innards from a 6 cylinder E36 diff built into an E30 casing.

6 cylinder Z3s are 3.15 and almost a straight fit. Still a little short for a cruiser on E30 size wheels but indefinitely better than a 3.46.