Newly fitted Limited Slip Differential

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pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:21 am

Hi I have just had new LSD fitted (fully rebuilt by Gareth, 40% lock up, 3.91) to my E30 325i Sport (1987).
I previously had an open diff and have had some sideways moments in that.
I haven't driven this E30 for about 2 years.

Are there any special running in procedures ?
What can I expect in terms of handling differences ?
Will it drift and go sideways much more easily now ?
Will it be easier or harder or the same to control when going sideways ?
ross_jsy
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:25 am

It will understeer more however oversteer is easier to provoke and control.

To be honest there are far better upgrades you could have made for the cost of a modded diff, unless it's being used on track I can't see the point
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:30 am

I am using it as a daily and hopefully touch wood DWYB days once per month.

Looking back I was thinking maybe a Kaaz 2-way LSD or Quaife LSD as other alternatives but in the end chose this option as was certainly a lot cheaper than a New Quaife LSD and was closer to retaining a philosophy of using Genuine BMW parts as much as possible.
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:31 am

Dont I have to break it in with figures of 8s at very slow speeds ???
maxfield
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:31 am

I nice tight rear end is a good upgrade if you ask me Ross :D ask pacer.

You don't need to run it in.
Will definitely improve handling/grip and be more controllable sideways.
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ross_jsy
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:32 am

Ask Gareth, he is the diff expert.
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:36 am

I have brand new Powerflex bushes
Rear beam
Rear trailing arms
Rear anti roll bar bush
Rear diff bush
These are all Powerflex

The front bushes are all BMW and I think eccentric E30 M3 bushes
ross_jsy
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Fri May 02, 2014 12:48 am

maxfield wrote:I nice tight rear end is a good upgrade if you ask me Ross :D ask pacer.

You don't need to run it in.
Will definitely improve handling/grip and be more controllable sideways.
I've heard that's why you aren't his favourite any more :D
magpie
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Fri May 02, 2014 8:21 am

you can steer from the rear with an lsd :D

open diffs are for real men !
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:06 pm

pony wrote:Dont I have to break it in with figures of 8s at very slow speeds ???
Yes, yes you do and we need to see the evidence !
M50 Turbo!!! :o I shall say no more :D
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:25 pm

So is anyone here going to give specific advice on breaking in LSDs or what ????

I saw a site which says do figures of 8s for 30 minutes and accelerate at 20km/h in the straight in each gear
How the hell am I supposed to do that ????
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:30 pm

Instructions here what do u guys think ?
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/technic ... w-lsd.html
Gert_8
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:30 pm

pony wrote:So is anyone here going to give specific advice on breaking in LSDs or what ????

I saw a site which says do figures of 8s for 30 minutes and accelerate at 20km/h in the straight in each gear
How the hell am I supposed to do that ????
That's bollocks. Did the manual say to do this on a new car with an LSD factory fitted?....use your sense. :)
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PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:33 pm

What I mean is I am using this for daily and drifting and the LSD is updated from the standard BMW 25% lock. So don't I have to run in ?
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SDM
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:37 pm

you have to do donuts in mcdonalds car park for 10 minutes (5 minutes each way) whilst holding 5k revs in 2nd to break it in.
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Gert_8
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:37 pm

Sorry. Let me rephrase that last statement.

I do not believe the user manual supplied with an original sport fitted with an LSD, from the factory, advised you should do figures of 8 for 30 minutes and then accelerate at 20km/h in the strainght in each gear..... that's just stupid.
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PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:46 pm

Have a look at the other running in advice in the link I posted above and tell me whether u agree/disagree with that as well ?
capnmchl
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:47 pm

More chance of spinning in the wet, or in any slippery conditions...
Gert_8
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:50 pm

Yep, I still think it's pointless.
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PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:51 pm

All I want to do is make it last as long as possible so if I have to follow a running in procedure I will do and vice versa
Cost a small fortune and for me is the best part of it
Gert_8
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:56 pm

If you want to make it last as long as possible, may I suggest you don't go drifting then?
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PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
pony
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Fri May 02, 2014 3:57 pm

I mean I want to make it last as long as possible for the application of drifting (if that makes any sense)
Of course drifting will increase the wear
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gooner1
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Fri May 02, 2014 4:00 pm

pony wrote:So is anyone here going to give specific advice on breaking in LSDs or what ????

Ross has already given you the best advice, probably.

" Ask Gareth, he is the diff expert. "
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Fri May 02, 2014 4:44 pm

pony wrote:All I want to do is make it last as long as possible so if I have to follow a running in procedure I will do and vice versa
Cost a small fortune and for me is the best part of it
No, it's not extreme enough to need a specific running in procedure.

You don't need to do anything special, but like any recently changed mechanical component it's a good idea to do a few 'normal' miles and gradually build up loads / temperatures rather than bolting it on and going straight out for a half hour drift session.

But I think that's just my preference for a bit of mechanical sympathy, and probably isn't necessary.

Changing the oil after the first 1000 miles or so after a rebuild isn't a bad idea either, although again, with modern materials and oils probably isn't really necessary.
cheers,

harry
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Fri May 02, 2014 5:48 pm

i'd be looking at the rear beam bushes before you start diffin .
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Fri May 02, 2014 5:54 pm

magpie wrote:i'd be looking at the rear beam bushes before you start diffin .

It's all new, she's fully motorsported up with lots of new poly bitz. He's off to Wales on the weekend for a BMWCC sausage fest so the sheep better be on their guard, an out of control Tech 1 has got to hurt more than a boyos knob :)
magpie
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Fri May 02, 2014 6:00 pm

pacerpete wrote: an "OUT OF CONTROL "Tech 1 has got to hurt more than a boyos knob :)
fookin creased up here :rofl:
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ross_jsy
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Fri May 02, 2014 6:05 pm

Let's just read Gerts sig to remind ourselves of Pony's drifting skillz :D
Gert_8
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Fri May 02, 2014 6:07 pm

ross_jsy wrote:Let's just read Gerts sig to remind ourselves of Pony's drifting skillz :D
Here it is to save you searching :D
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PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
jmc330i
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Fri May 02, 2014 6:08 pm

I'm sure the working life of an LSD clutch pack (where the clutch is actually 'locking' up) is measured in hours....
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maxfield
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Fri May 02, 2014 7:14 pm

About 8 hours I believe from factory.
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ross_jsy
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Fri May 02, 2014 7:38 pm

Sounds about right. Also iirc higher % diffs wear quicker, but may have that wrong
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Fri May 02, 2014 8:02 pm

I've done about 10-15 sedate miles in it since fitted, its ready to go side ways now!
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

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gareth
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Sat May 03, 2014 11:01 pm

Just get in and put a few miles on it before going silly. drop the oil after a few K and throw new stuff in and it'll be fine.

The last diff I shipped out got bolted up the arse on a full race E36 M3 Evo, driven across a car park, onto a trailer, towed to the 'ring, straight out on track and started qualifying! The following day it came second in class at a 4 hr VLN endurance race! No bed in whatsoever :D Oil came oit clean as a whistle post race

At the end of the day, it's a bunch of metal bits sliding around other metal bits. Use some mechanical sympathy for a while as parts bed in together, followed by an oil change to clean out the deposits from this bedding in period.
Sole founder of Fe2O3-12V it's a lifestyle
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pony
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Sat May 03, 2014 11:48 pm

Thanks Gareth having been taking it easy
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