diff swap question

[Philly]

Me again!

Got a lead on a 3.25 LSD for my 2.8 swap...
its a medium-case diff... so my question issssss, will it work?
Ive done a little searching but couldn't find anything solid.

Im going to be replacing the halfshafts, am i looking at anything else? or should the flanges that are already on the diff work with E30 halfshafts?

Thanks again everyone who's helped me, and listened to my million questions!

-Ryan

[Philly]

anyone?

[1996 328ti]

I think you will need to shim the ABS sensors.

[campaiar]

^ +1. Not tough at all. You'll also need to create some clearance for the diff cover. An angle grinder will be needed to slightly alter the support that goes under the hatch.

You'll understand when you get under there. If not, I can take a pic of mine.

[Philly]

so just for clarification.... i can use a medium case 3.25 with E30 halfshafts?

As well as a little grinding and shimming.... other than that, it bolts right up eh?

The guy who is selling the diff had a different perspective, but i think he may be under the impression that the 318ti uses the same style rear-end as a normal E36.

And a pic would help wonders if at all possible Campaiar! Would very much appreciate it.

[Mallard]

theres a link to the swap on the "notepad" section on the front page

the write up is also in the how to section

[Philly]

im not yet 100% sure if its in fact an E30 diff though... im still waiting to hear back what model it is out of...but does it really matter? since ive noticed most other diffs will fit E30, according to egay

[thesk8nmidget]

here ya go
its not actually originally out of an e30 if it is in fact a 5 or 6 or 7 series

[Philly]

yeah i saw that chart here before... i better save it while i can, lol

anyone know if i will have any problems OTHER than whats Camp and 1996328ti said?

So if i buy this differential, E30 halfshafts, shim the sensor as needed, and grind the support as needed... thats it right?

I just wanna be 100% sure, so i don't buy a useless differential

[thesk8nmidget]

just make sure it has 4 mounting holes on the top of it and that weird bushing mounting point sticking off of it like it the picture above and it will work.

[L84THSKY]

This is my setup, no grinding needed. I did use a washer on each ABS sensor. E28 3.46LSD, E30 halfshafts and flanges.

Originally Posted by rwd_king

yeah i saw that chart here before... i better save it while i can, lol

anyone know if i will have any problems OTHER than whats Camp and 1996328ti said?

So if i buy this differential, E30 halfshafts, shim the sensor as needed, and grind the support as needed... thats it right?

I just wanna be 100% sure, so i don't buy a useless differential

[zboot]

i've got a med/large case diff that I put on. . no grinding needed. Since I destroyed the 318ti abs sensors, I spliced in the ones from the e30 donor car. The e30 halfshafts fit with no problems.

[Philly]

thats great info! thanks L8 and Zboot... did you also replace the flanges on your swap like L8 or was it not needed?
the guy selling has yet to get back to me about the 3.25 differential, so im going to start looking else where.

Ive located a 3.15 Z3 differential...can I use my current halfshafts with no issues? or would e30/z3 still be the way to go?

[thesk8nmidget]

the e30 flanges bolt pattern are different from the ti's so if you use the e30 shafts then you need the e30 flanges (most diffs will have this on there already) (if not i have an extra set)

depending on the z3 you would be able to bolt it right up using your ti half shafts.

if its a 1.9 your good. but i do believe the bigger motor z3 uses a bigger diff

[Philly]

Im pretty sure the 3.15 was for the 2.8 z3's and the 1.9's used the same as ours... but not 100% on that...