Gear Box prop and diff questions

[Bakea012]

Morning all,

i have an M52b28 out of 97 328i

i want to use the manual gear box out of it.

Questions,

if i get some new mounts for the box will the cross member from e30 fit?

What prop do i need to use? ive heard i need to use the front end of the e36 and rear end of e30? can someone correct me if this is wrong?

The main question i need answering is about the diff,
i want an LSD which will just bolt on i dont like the idea of changing gutts. (not confident enough to do this)

have heard that E24 635csi is pretty much a straight swap and also the E28, i would need to change output flanges on both?

Currently i have a small case diff on 1990 320i convert.

[heathy325]

If you use the 328i gearbox then use the 328i prop complete with the centre mount bearing from the e30 as for diff options you need one around the 3:25 ratio if it's a daily driver and either an e30 med case one or I've hear of people using the z3m diff too

[jimbom30cab]

I have a e36 328i manual prop if you need one

[Bakea012]

Heathy325,

thanks for the reply, medium case e30 diff bolts up to e36 prop? im sure this would be easier to source then z3m one?

also it wont be a daily i want the ratios to able me to hit 60 in second? (please bare with me i dont have a clue about diff ratios)

Jim,

i went to pick up an mtec 2 body kit a few weeks ago and managed to pick up e36 manual prop so im all good for that thanks.

i do need a gear box though do you know anyone who has a ZF box?

and a medium case diff

cheers guys

[heathy325]

Yep the e30 diff bolts up no problems and the e30 gearbox cradle fitted on mine fine too and I'm not sure what mph you will get in each gear but that seams to be the favoured ratio with most in hear I'm running a 3:23 myself and its great

[Bakea012]

oh ok its strange i have sat here for hours reading threads and there is no defined answers to 328 box prop and what diff to use. well not one i can find anyway.

there is a company in windsor that specialise in breaking old bmw's called platinum auto spares i will have to go and have a look what they have. had a look on ebay and they have a few 325's there at the moment.

[jmc330i]

oh ok its strange i have sat here for hours reading threads and there is no defined answers to 328 box prop and what diff to use. well not one i can find anyway.

That's because there is more than one way to do it. Basically, if you use the ZF box and want a diff matched to the box, you need a ratio around 3.25:1 as heathy says above. This means either an E30 M3 or Z3M diff (3.15:1) if you want an LSD. These are both 'medium' case diffs and will bolt straight in - the Z3M diff will need the output flanges changing to E30 325i flanges.
You can use either the E36 328i manual prop (with E30 centre bearing) or an E30 M3 prop.

You could go for a 3.46:1 found on some earlier E30s I think, but I doubt it will hit 60 in second.

[Motorhole]

2.8/3.0 litre Z3 diff's will also work, with a ratio of 3.15. These are torsen diff's rather than a clutch pa k LSD. Still good diff's though. Most E30 diff's are 3.46 or shorter and will result in a car that is far too revvy for everyday use.

E36 prop with E30 centre bearing is definitely correct though.

[Bakea012]

Cheers guys,

so if i got a z3 2.8 diff, this would be easier to source for the time being this would bolt straight up? sorry to keep asking questions i dont want to spend money on something im not going to be happy with or actually fit.

Does anyone know where i can get one from?

Another silly question,

changing the centre bearing between the props is easy enough i take it? any special tools needed?

[Motorhole]

Diff's pop up from time to time on here, but anybody breaking a 2.8/3.0 should be able to help you out. Still need to swap the output flanges but easy to do.

Will need a large puller to remove the centre bearing, but I'd just get a new one. Old one will be past its best and they don't cost a bomb.

[Bakea012]

ok sorry i was going to buy a new one anyway, save having to do it in a few years, i take it its a lot easier to do when having a new on? do i still need a large puller or can i pry it off with something?

as for getting output flanges would it be easier to get from bmw dont know how much they would cost?

[Motorhole]

They'll cost you a packet from a dealer! You may be able to get a used set from a cooked diff (I can't confirm what flanges you want - 325i as mentioned above might be correct), or even just buy an open diff for £50 or whatever and pull the flanges. All you need is a crowbar or big screwdriver to pop them out and a soft mallet to knock them in.

You'll struggle to pry the bearing off with anything other than a puller tbh! But a puller only costs about £15 from Machine Mart and is very useful to have. Good for changing wheel bearings and even pushing out old bushes.

I found fitting the centre bearing to be a cock-ache tbh. Apparently a bit of heat helps it on but I guess I didn't get it hot enough. A deep driver and hammer did the job.

[Bakea012]

Ok so I Have found a diff from 99 z3 2.8 for 45 pound think that's alright.

I'll give platinum auto spares a call and see what they have for output flanges from a 325

In regards to the z3 diff I won't need to change the case on it will I?

[Bakea012]

Also do you have a product code for this puller as machine mart seem to have a 1000 different pullers on their website

Thanks

[Motorhole]

That's a cheap diff! See if you can drain the oil and remove the back plate to make sure it's a Torsen before you hand over any cash Or perhaps a torch in the drain plug and look through the filler. Although to be fair, even if it's an open diff you should get your £45 back for it and the ratios will be correct.

http://s198.photobucket.com/user/schwar ... s.jpg.html



The puller is the 8" one from this kit: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/prod ... r%20puller

Although I can't find it individually. 6" MIGHT do the job, I can't remember how much reach you need - perhaps someone else can help. No doubt you'll get a big 'un on ebay or similar.

[Bakea012]

How do I tell if it's a Torsen diff?

And thanks that's the one I was looking at, wouldn't know how to use them but this is all a bit of fun!

[Motorhole]

The photobucket link I posted above

[Bakea012]

Can't seem to view it :s

[Brianmoooore]

Can't seem to view it :s

Try now.

[Bakea012]

brilliant thank you