e36 diff options

[jmott]

What different limited slip units are out there for e36 cars? The one in my 325 seems not so great. What options are there?

[BJO]

95 m3 stick= 3.15
95 m3 auto, 95 LTW, 96-99 coupe, conv, and sedan 5spd= 3.23
97-98 sedan auto, 98-99 conv auto=3.38

dunno about the e36 series with the LSD option.
3.38 is the hot setup for e36 m3's and Bob T runs that.

[jmott]

Originally Posted by BJO

95 m3 stick= 3.15
95 m3 auto, 95 LTW, 96-99 coupe, conv, and sedan 5spd= 3.23
97-98 sedan auto, 98-99 conv auto=3.38

dunno about the e36 series with the LSD option.
3.38 is the hot setup for e36 m3's and Bob T runs that.

Im not concerned with gears so much as the actual limited slip mechanism. I assume all the e36 cars that have LSD have the same type. What type is it? Can it be replaced with something else?

[BJO]

Originally Posted by jmott

Im not concerned with gears so much as the actual limited slip mechanism. I assume all the e36 cars that have LSD have the same type. What type is it? Can it be replaced with something else?

IIRC all have 25% lockup. You can custom build one to any lockup or go with a quaife diff. www.diffsonline.com or www.koalamotorsport.com

[jmott]

Originally Posted by BJO

IIRC all have 25% lockup. You can custom build one to any lockup or go with a quaife diff. www.diffsonline.com or www.koalamotorsport.com

wow!
$1400 from diffsonline for a modified stocker?

seems like a quaiffe would make more sense

edit: nope..those are over $2k

I'll deal with my wee bit of slip =)

[sunir]

Originally Posted by jmott

wow!
$1400 from diffsonline for a modified stocker?

seems like a quaiffe would make more sense

edit: nope..those are over $2k

I'll deal with my wee bit of slip =)

diffsonline builds a hell of a diff! I've used their 3.73 for 5 races now and it's held up excellent with lap after lap of reliable performance!!

[jmott]

Originally Posted by sunir

diffsonline builds a hell of a diff! I've used their 3.73 for 5 races now and it's held up excellent with lap after lap of reliable performance!!

yeah well for $1400 I would hope so.

are they doing anything more than just sticking more clutches in?

[sunir]

Originally Posted by jmott

yeah well for $1400 I would hope so.

are they doing anything more than just sticking more clutches in?

$1,400 is a good price for a built diff...KMS (Brett A.) and Blanton charge anywhere from $2k up...like I said, diffsonline builds a very good unit, try one for yourself and see if you like it....they build my diff(s) and I really like the work and customer service they have .

options include 2 or 3 clutches, custom gear selection...and I think either a 50% - 75% static lockup...and you get a freshly rebuilt diff with all new hardware...

[B.Watts]

Originally Posted by sunir

options include 2 or 3 clutches, custom gear selection...and I think either a 50% - 75% static lockup.

Are guys really running that much lockup? Surely it's setup to lockup less than that under decel? Otherwise, how do you guys get your car to turn-in?

Reminds me of the Pierre setup. Welded rear locker, no front ARB and huge rear ARB. He made it work though!

[sunir]

Originally Posted by BMWRacerITS

Are guys really running that much lockup? Surely it's setup to lockup less than that under decel? Otherwise, how do you guys get your car to turn-in?

Reminds me of the Pierre setup. Welded rear locker, no front ARB and huge rear ARB. He made it work though!

my diff is a 50% lockup, I don't know the intricacies of it but what you're saying makes sense, under decel it must be less than that and then use the lockup under the acceleration load coming out of the corners...Dan (diffsonline has more details on it though), but the diff has been doing well ever since it's rebuild and Dan replaced that speed sensor that bummed out on us JUST BEFORE the last sprint of the weekend ...one things for sure, diffsonline has great customer service, they rebuilt my diff when they didn't even need to but did it just to make sure...and they got it done inside of a week and had it shipped to me for Mid-O.

[Kevin325i]

That brings up an interesting point. Are the factory BMW LSDs 1-way? or 2-way? I've always wondered this.

Stupid question, but what do you mean by 'turn in'? Do you mean that when you decel and the LSD engauges that you're dragging the inside wheel because of the lock up?

[jdholder]

I currently run a KAZZ Limited Slip. Grassroots Motorsports had a complete write-up on lsd's in last months issue. The KAZZ diff was originally envisioned for FWD cars, so it is setup to fully disengage when power is not being applied. In other words, when I let off throttle, I can get the car to turn! A very nice unit, but I wouldn't use it on the street! Kind of sounds like a Detroit Locker when disengaged - with a serious POP-POP-POP-POP. But if you nail the accelerator, the car jumps out of the turn!

Also - I will second the recommendation for diffsonline.com - great company to work with! My car will be sporting their stickers very soon!!

Sincerely,

[B.Watts]

Originally Posted by jdholder

I currently run a KAZZ Limited Slip.

Where did you get it? A quick Google search just pointed me to other websites like this where people say they have installed one.

We have run a Quaife the last two events and have hated it. It doesn't seem to be able to put down the power as it claims.

[jdholder]

Originally Posted by BMWRacerITS

Where did you get it? A quick Google search just pointed me to other websites like this where people say they have installed one.

We have run a Quaife the last two events and have hated it. It doesn't seem to be able to put down the power as it claims.

I actually purchased it from a private individual who won it in a USTCC race in 2002. I don't have a good recommendation as to where to get it.

Maybe contact these guys: http://www.ustcc.com/ and ask them where they get them to give out as prizes.

[vodomagoo]

theres also preformancegearing.com blanton builds one hell of a diff if you have
the money, his race set up is awsome im loving mine. blanton recomends 40%
under decel and thats what i went with turns in great i have the 4 puck clutch
diff with 20/90 ramp angles and under acceleration turn in is tougher. turn in
is pretty much what you think it is under full 100% lock the inside wheel will
be forced to rotate at the same speed thus dragging it

[sunir]

Originally Posted by vodomagoo

theres also preformancegearing.com blanton builds one hell of a diff if you have
the money, his race set up is awsome im loving mine. blanton recomends 40%
under decel and thats what i went with turns in great i have the 4 puck clutch
diff with 20/90 ramp angles and under acceleration turn in is tougher. turn in
is pretty much what you think it is under full 100% lock the inside wheel will
be forced to rotate at the same speed thus dragging it

overkill IMO, a 2 or 3 clutch Salisbury LSD works just fine on track with like 50% lock on acceleration...save the extra money by keeping factory ramps and get a set of tires with the spare $$$...

[Erik@EDGE]

Jack, give me a shout if you need a diff built. We have a guy that builds a badass diff, Usually under a grand,. Mine is out being done right now, but he does Vic's and several other hardcore AutoX diffs.

Stockers are 1-way, 25% only. and that degrades over time, of course.

Mine is 2-way, 70%/25% so that the car will turn in.

This guy messes primarily with the LSD unit, clutches, shims, etc. Not sure about the magic, but I know they work, and they get cool anodized pieces in them..

[jmott]

Cool, not looking to do anything soon. But if I get a 2.8 engine in my car in the future a diff may become even more relevant.

Originally Posted by 95 MPWR

Jack, give me a shout if you need a diff built. We have a guy that builds a badass diff, Usually under a grand,. Mine is out being done right now, but he does Vic's and several other hardcore AutoX diffs.

Stockers are 1-way, 25% only. and that degrades over time, of course.

Mine is 2-way, 70%/25% so that the car will turn in.

This guy messes primarily with the LSD unit, clutches, shims, etc. Not sure about the magic, but I know they work, and they get cool anodized pieces in them..

[vodomagoo]

Originally Posted by sunir

overkill IMO, a 2 or 3 clutch Salisbury LSD works just fine on track with like 50% lock on acceleration...save the extra money by keeping factory ramps and get a set of tires with the spare $$$...

mine is only 80% on acceleration, i was just giving an example of turnin with lock ratios i forgot to hit post last night lol. for most people even blanton says just go with his lesser build but i dont do anything the easy way and my car can use as much help as it could with the oh so fun e30 suspension

[Nico5spd]

stock bmw is 2 way, same on accel and decel

diffsonline have built 60% lock gears for the track and it seems to be fine, there is no loss of traction on decel or anything.

im running a 75% in the back, and if anything it almost makes the car understeer more.
there are lots of sideeffects to running really high lockup on the street

[Jim O.]

A friend of mine's race prep shop uses a new diff, very similar to the KAZZ unit, but with more friction plates so it's quieter and smoother than the KAZZ. Lockup is 0% on decel, close to 100% on accel. All parts are available new, so if you happen to wear out the friction plates, you can change them out. However, the diff uses so many friction plates that each one is fairly lightly loaded, and doesn't wear very fast. Not cheap, though - pretty much in the same price range as a Quaife, and then you have to pay someone to put on the ring and build it into your diff housing. But it's an interesting alternative...

Jim

[vodomagoo]

Originally Posted by Jim O.

A friend of mine's race prep shop uses a new diff, very similar to the KAZZ unit, but with more friction plates so it's quieter and smoother than the KAZZ. Lockup is 0% on decel, close to 100% on accel. All parts are available new, so if you happen to wear out the friction plates, you can change them out. However, the diff uses so many friction plates that each one is fairly lightly loaded, and doesn't wear very fast. Not cheap, though - pretty much in the same price range as a Quaife, and then you have to pay someone to put on the ring and build it into your diff housing. But it's an interesting alternative...

Jim

sounds real similar to blantons set up asymetric ramps more then 3 plates ect, is the case modded to fit the plates in? i know mine had to and i have four plates

[Jim O.]

As far as I know, the case doesn't need to be modified. And it uses more than 4 clutch plates. The other cool thing about this diff is that the lock timing is adjustable, so you can fine-tune the diff to your driving. Slick stuff...

Jim

[vodomagoo]

hemm me likey sounds like a nicely engineered diff

[GQ_Style]

Are 318 diffs different from the 6-cylinder brethern? I think the 318 have a 3.45 ratio rear end. Seems like it will physically fit.