differentials

[E36powerplant]

Hi i have muliple bmws at my disposal and im just wondering if an e34 rear differential will work on the e36 and vice versa. if anyone has this information it would be much appriciated!

[GardenBeast]

i dont think they will... i've never heard of anyone doing a swap like that, anyways. i know e28 and e30 rear ends will work in my car... but that's a ti, and all i know.

[E36powerplant]

thanks for the info.

[E36powerplant]

i dont think they will... i've never heard of anyone doing a swap like that, anyways. i know e28 and e30 rear ends will work in my car... but that's a ti, and all i know.

I actually have an e30 325 is i could get a diff out of. you think that might work in my e36?

[GardenBeast]

only if it was a ti.

is it LSD? haha. i need one.

[E36powerplant]

only if it was a ti.

is it LSD? haha. i need one.

nah its an e36 328is turbo and i can check on the lsd but it will have to wait until daylight.

[GardenBeast]

well, check on the lsd part, and maybe we can work out a deal on it. i can't find any for a good price.

[m52pwrdTi]

diff shipping to Canada is riduclous Garden... ask me how I know ;)

ill save you the trouble and just tell you, FedEx wanted $300 to ship one from somewhere in the middle of the lower 48... more than what i paid for the diff.... not too mention what i probably would have racked up in customs/brokerage fee's.

I just had them ship it to a friend in Maine and he brought it across.

and actually beast... Mcoupe diffs work as well, thats what i have, along with E30 shafts.

[GardenBeast]

oh.

fuck shipping. jesus.

[E36powerplant]

anyone else know what different models fit the e36 non ti?

[black318i]

The e34 internals will as long as it's a mid size case or any other mid case for that matter.

[E36powerplant]

The e34 internals will as long as it's a mid size case or any other mid case for that matter.
the actual case wont bolt up though right? and also I heard the e30 diffs will not only fit the e36 ti but all e36 because they are all the same besides the ridiculous trunk

[black318i]

The e34 case will not work just the internals if it's a 188 diff and the ti case will not fit the e36. The ti uses a e30 case plus it's a small case which will not hold up well with an I6.

[E36powerplant]

The e34 case will not work just the internals if it's a 188 diff and the ti case will not fit the e36. The ti uses a e30 case plus it's a small case which will not hold up well with an I6.


good to know, have you heard of a 3.91 diff on a turbo 328? i just picked up a 3.91 for my turbo 328 and i have a feeling it might be too short of gears.

[yeomgon]

You need your differential housing. almost all E30 and E36 differentials are interchangable. The E34? I doubt it. take a look at the dimensions. Does anyone know how to upload picture?

[E36powerplant]

You need your differential housing. almost all E30 and E36 differentials are interchangable. The E34? I doubt it. take a look at the dimensions. Does anyone know how to upload picture? the 3.91 diff is out of an e36 so its swapped right in, i just need a day to do it.

[NASA144]

The e36 uses a "188" medium case (e36 euro is different Lg case) M3's are all LSD whereas the non-M's are open. The e30 is the same case (med 188), but has a different rear cover, pretty sure you can just exchange the covers... or the inners. e30 325is are all LSD and some of the 325i were too. You can search the forum to confirm all of this.

[black318i]

The E34? I doubt it. take a look at the dimensions. Does anyone know how to upload picture?

If it's a 188 gear set it will fit. Many E34s came with mid case diffs.


good to know, have you heard of a 3.91 diff on a turbo 328? i just picked up a 3.91 for my turbo 328 and i have a feeling it might be too short of gears.

If your driving this on the street those gears are going to be really short. I had a 3.46 diff in my car. I thought it was a little buzzy on the freeway when doing 80 mph which is about what I drive when I can. Many of the high power turbo guys actually go with longer gears so they can stay in boost longer.


The e36 uses a "188" medium case (e36 euro is different Lg case) M3's are all LSD whereas the non-M's are open. The e30 is the same case (med 188), but has a different rear cover, pretty sure you can just exchange the covers... or the inners. e30 325is are all LSD and some of the 325i were too. You can search the forum to confirm all of this.

An E30 case will not work on an E36. The LSD was an option on I believe every non M E36 except the 328.

[NASA144]

again... search threads to confirm. it's in here!

[black318i]

I don't need to search I've already built a few diffs.

[NASA144]

E36powerplant... consult with black

[dtmracerx]

so Black- are there any other cases that will bolt onto an E36? I'm hoping for something similar to the e28/e30 compatability only for my E36, am I going to be in luck? What cars should i be looking for?

[black318i]

Thats pretty much it as far as direct fit. What are you looking for?