Fitting a medium case diff
Moderator: martauto
- DaveMcleod88
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 104
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
Hi folks can anyone tell me whats required fitting a medium case diff that currently has a small case fitted been offered a 325 lsd fairly cheap but its only the diff it comes with
Is it like the E36 where you need driveshafts and half propshaft?
Is it like the E36 where you need driveshafts and half propshaft?
The driveshafts and prop are the same regardless of the diff. The width difference is taken up by different output flanges, so as long as you get the medium case output flanges with the diff it will just bolt in. You may need to adjust the prop length at the collar nut, but you won't need to swap props.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
- DaveMcleod88
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 104
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
Perfect thanks for thisjmc330i wrote:The driveshafts and prop are the same regardless of the diff. The width difference is taken up by different output flanges, so as long as you get the medium case output flanges with the diff it will just bolt in. You may need to adjust the prop length at the collar nut, but you won't need to swap props.
Most definitely. I'm running a 3.91 on mine and its great on the motorway, but feels sluggish the rest of the time. It's also a little worse on fuel with everyday driving, I'm guessing as it takes more effort to get it moving.Sanchez wrote:Your running a 318is aren't you? Is it a 3.91 LSD?
You might be compromising the acceleration.
I'm switching mine back to the 4.10 when I get chance.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
there you have it from a man who knows, if you don't have an m20 lightened flywheel then you need one with the 4.10 diff ....one of the best things i done to my m42 so your m44 donk will love it....jmc330i wrote:Most definitely. I'm running a 3.91 on mine and its great on the motorway, but feels sluggish the rest of the time. It's also a little worse on fuel with everyday driving, I'm guessing as it takes more effort to get it moving.Sanchez wrote:Your running a 318is aren't you? Is it a 3.91 LSD?
You might be compromising the acceleration.
I'm switching mine back to the 4.10 when I get chance.
i'm guessing [ an educated one ] you have one though ?

m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds
Yup, got an M20 lightened flywheel on mine. I fitted the 3.91 as I was doing mega motorway miles for about 2 months and got tired of cruising at 4k rpm with the 4.10. Now I'm back to everyday town driving and the 3.91 is definitely the wrong choice as it uses more fuel around town and has killed the acceleration - it's almost as if BMW knew what they were doing when they decided to use a 4.10 diff!
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
- DaveMcleod88
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 104
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
Likewise I have a M20 lightened flywheel also in my M42 I got the diff for a really good price I'll see how if goes and if I don't like it then will sell up and pay the extra tax for an IS lsd
-
Sanchez
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 7578
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Sunny Scotland
A 4.10 LSD will be harder to find than a 3.64/3.91 etc but they are out there if you want one. Cafeful with the speedo plug, I've a speedo sensor waiting for me at bmw cause I broke a pin in the sensor rushing about changing my leaking gasket.
- DaveMcleod88
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 104
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
this one came with a plug with the wires cut (has about 15cm of wire) you're welcome to have it if you want it? cancel the bmw one if it cost a fair penny have this one for free 
- DaveMcleod88
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 104
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:00 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
15 cm was a bit over exaggerated has about 15mm lol welcome to it though if you still have my number gives a phone should be in all day hungover a‘a



