318i diif, LSD or weld up?

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:03 pm

This mite have been covered in another topic but i couldnt see anything.

Ive got an '86 318i, if i dont sell it i want to start drifting it so will need to sort out the standard diff. Ive been told that the LSD from a 325 will go straight on (not sure if this is true?) or i could get the original diff welded.

Which would be the best option?

Cheers

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:07 pm

yeah a 325 diff wil go straight on mate, i think slowside ways was on about welding one up a while back, not sure though

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:22 pm

A welded diff will be cheaper, & probably fine (better even?) for drifting, but utterly $hite on the road. So it depends if that's all you're gonna use the car for...

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:22 pm

deffo get the std diff welded if you only going to be useing it for drifting

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:37 pm

Ziggy wrote:A welded diff will be cheaper, & probably fine (better even?) for drifting, but utterly $hite on the road. So it depends if that's all you're gonna use the car for...

Ziggy I just pickled up a lsd for mine tonight, I cant wait to get it on the cab

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:39 pm

cliffybabe wrote:
Ziggy wrote:A welded diff will be cheaper, & probably fine (better even?) for drifting, but utterly $hite on the road. So it depends if that's all you're gonna use the car for...
Ziggy I just pickled up a lsd for mine tonight, I cant wait to get it on the cab

Good work

You'll love it! Makes loads of difference, you don't have to go drifting to feel the benefit either....

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:43 pm

Ziggy wrote:
cliffybabe wrote:
Ziggy wrote:A welded diff will be cheaper, & probably fine (better even?) for drifting, but utterly $hite on the road. So it depends if that's all you're gonna use the car for...
Ziggy I just pickled up a lsd for mine tonight, I cant wait to get it on the cab
Good work
You'll love it! Makes loads of difference, you don't have to go drifting to feel the benefit either....

cheers mate
I got a 3.91, Im gonna get some new oil in her asap and go from their

Post Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:52 pm

cliffybabe wrote: cheers mate
I got a 3.91, Im gonna get some new oil in her asap and go from their

Does it actually need new oil? You can change it on the car easily enough... I'd check you can get the fill / drain plugs out before you fit it though anyway!

Diff bush is well worth doing to save having to drop it again... standard or the Mcoupe jobbie...

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:27 am

Back to the question in hand lad's

If you put a 325i diff on you will have shite accelleration as the ratio of the diff will be lower than the one on the 318i, thus you won't drift in the dry!
I had an open diff on my M40 for age's, drifted lovely in the wet

If you weld the diff it is the cheapest option for drifting but expect to be spending money on tyre's more often as they will be scrubbing everywhere you go whether your drifting or not, they will wear out very quickly!

Be careful not to full in the wrong trap! ie, buying an LSD

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:23 am

honestly. welded diffs are pretty poo for anything other than dedicated drift.

chew tyres, cause the car to understeer (unless you make it oversteer) etc etc.

for a cheap, fun fix maybe. but not for serious driving.

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:17 am

cheers for the help people, i think this is something ill have to think about for a while before making a decision!

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:27 pm

im going to remove my 325 lsd and weld up a standard one.i need to find out what one will be best to get.

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:28 pm

what do you mean by welding it up? what does that do?

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:55 pm

welding a diff basically makes a perminent lsd, it really is a crap way to do it and i wouldnt recomend it all, it stems back from the lats sixties from grass tracking autocross etc.... which was fine on grass, you try and drive one on tarmac you are just going to end up braking diffs/driveshafts understeering into the wall etc....

Post Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:54 pm

e30cossie wrote:im going to remove my 325 lsd and weld up a standard one.i need to find out what one will be best to get.

Wanna swap your LSD for my standard diff then?

Post Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:53 am

get the diff welded! it will cost you next to nothing and is perfectly fine on the road you just have to get used to it clucking the rear end when parking. It doesn't go through tyres that quickly as it only skips when going round tight corners, and if you drifting anyway it wont make much difference to tyre wear. ive never heard of anyone having problems with a welded diff. search through driftworks and talk to people who actually use them on a day to day basis.