E39 Diff help and schooling please!

[Mr535i]

Hi All!

I have an E39 530i M-Sport and have been reading all this information on the Diff's that came out in the E39.

If you put a Quaif LSD in the stock diff housing of the 530I are the drive shafts (half shafts) strong enough to hold big power (400rw/kw)?

I have been looking at an M5 rear diff, half shafts and rear hubs... is this a better option or just putting the quaif in the stock good enough? will the M5 half shafts fit into the standard 530 hubs?

There is big money in buying this stuff and i really want to know what is the best option before i go and spend it.

Any information would be appreciated.

I do know that the M5 diff's are a 210 housing and the 530i is like 195 or something around there. Would the M5 diff housing fit in the 530? will i need to change the rear sub frame?

Thank you in advanced...

[RVAE34]

As far as the best bang for buck, IMO, the stock M5 diff is just fine for high HP/TQ. All E39 diffs will fit in all E39 subframes. But you will need to swap the driveshaft as well if you want to install the M5 diff in your 530. You will also need the C/V axles or I believe you can run the 540 or E38 C/V's instead if you also swap the output flanges. You will want to verify if you go that route.

I opted for the M5 diff with E46 M3 3.62 gearset instead of the 3.15. It's a direct swap and so far all of us who have done it have not needed to change the shims etc. I also machined the LSD carrier cover to fit a 3rd clutch for 40% lock. My car makes 500 ft lbs and I have been beating the hell out of it with no issues whatsoever (although I did have my front diff mount reinforced just in case).

[Mr535i]

Thank you RVAE34, do you know if i need to change the rear hubs to fit the m5 half shafts/axles? I will need a custom tail shaft anyway due to running a getrag 6 speed box (non bmw one).

[RVAE34]

No need to change the hubs. Seems the outer splines are the same on all of the axles.

I had the OEM M5 driveshaft modified to keep it as a 2 piece. I put a new CSB in it and had the machine shop weld a spicer yoke to the front for my GM motor/trans. My driveshaft has held up fine and I wail on it often. I think that would work fine for your 2J swap as well.

[Mr535i]

Thank you very much for this info... Now i can just look for the shafts and diff not needing the hubs :) i appreciate your help!!!