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Thread: Diff swap 3.23 open to 3.46 lsd feedback

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    Canada, Québec
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    2,508
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    97' 328i, 01' 320i

    Diff swap 3.23 open to 3.46 lsd feedback

    It's done!! finaly. And it was worth every hours and penny spent on it! I did it yesterday.

    First, from open to lsd, the difference in traction is simply day and night. Now I can actualy ACCELERATE on an icy/snowy road. It seriously improved my traction from a dead stop. I totaly recommed it. I also noticed that I gain some good speed while drifting, when I would usualy not gain any, more likely loose some speed and/or gain a little depending of the type of turn.

    Second, from 3.23 to 3.46, personnaly, I'm realy happy with that. I wanted a shorter gear ratio. The only minus point is off course, fuel economy. Beside that, I noticed smoother acceleration, and off course there is supposed to be and increased acceleration but I didin't test that yet because my gf was with me.

    Misc : the job took an overall of 6 hours in a garage with 3 good men. we took our time. and were not always working on my car but also on my friends ans such so it took longuer. but it is indeed a long job. We had to heat every single allen bolt from the driving axles, it was a pita. And the torch damaged the flanges a bit. the little metal guard that protect the hole where the seal is. I'll just try to avoid dirt roads.

    I ended up changing all 3 flange, input flange was bigger on the 525 (3.23), and axles flanges were bigger on the 535(3.46) so I had to change all 3 but it's not a big job. I did a fluid change as well with some 75w90 syntec gear oil. About the torx, I did a mark on the nut as I was suggested. But I checked the torx at the garages computer and I torqued it a bit more than the mark. So far so good, it get home well so I think we did everything right.

    My new RPM at 100 km/h (around 62 mph I think) is 2700 rpm. Can't remember where it was with the 3.23 but it's definatly higer now. Think it was around 2400 or 2300. Anyone can confirm that statement?

    Wish I had brought my cam, didin't take any pics. sorry guys.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Tucker, GA
    Posts
    625
    My Cars
    1995 525i 5spd
    Always nice to complete a project.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    553
    My Cars
    525i, X5, M3, Jag, Mase
    I'm looking to do the same. Thanks for sharing your feedback. It's on my "To Do List" for spring.
    All the time and money I spent on my cars; I would do it all over again… /// M POWER

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Falcon, CO
    Posts
    805
    My Cars
    92 535i Touring, 02 X5
    I did the same only in reverse. 3.46 open to 3.23lsd. Real easy to drive in the snow. Whatever improvement in fuel mileage I gained will be erased once the turbo is installed this summer.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Kansas City MO
    Posts
    8,631
    My Cars
    Too Many
    If anyone is getting rid of their 3.23 limited slip at a decent price, lemme know, I'd like to find one before the S50 goes in.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Sweden
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    3,003
    My Cars
    525iT e34 325iT e30
    I put a 3.73 in mine.. Didn't do that much difference RPM wise.. Round 500rpm difference.. I can do really quick overtakeing in 5th gear now without haveing to downshift

    Still has deecent fuel economy and top speed..

    BMW E34 Touring 92/8 525/5 Electrical black sports leather, 3.73 LSD. Black on black
    BMW E30 Touring 89/3 325/5 Manual black sports leather, 3.91 LSD. Diamond Black on black
    - From sweden yah b0rk b0rk b0rk -


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Flint, Michigan
    Posts
    536
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    '94 530iA, '93 525itA
    Quote Originally Posted by Hoolie View Post
    I put a 3.73 in mine.. Didn't do that much difference RPM wise.. Round 500rpm difference.. I can do really quick overtakeing in 5th gear now without haveing to downshift

    Still has deecent fuel economy and top speed..

    Yes but what do you consider decent and what did you have?

    Nice job Meeve.
    Last edited by mi530i; 02-06-2011 at 02:39 PM.
    Give Blood, Play Hockey

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Canada, Québec
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    97' 328i, 01' 320i
    Quote Originally Posted by Jungerishere View Post
    I'm looking to do the same. Thanks for sharing your feedback. It's on my "To Do List" for spring.
    It abosolutly is a good mod if you want a quicker and funnier car imo. And a lsd is a must in the snow and fun-wise! I defenatly don't regret swapping mine and getting a lower ratio.
    Error 404

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Sweden
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    3,003
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    525iT e34 325iT e30
    Quote Originally Posted by mi530i View Post
    Yes but what do you consider decent and what did you have?

    Nice job Meeve.
    I had a 3.23 open and now i have a 3.73 limited slip..


    I get about 1 liter per 10km. I could probably get that down alot but i don't want to slow down.

    And to be honest.. IF i cared about fuel economy would not be driving a E34...

    BMW E34 Touring 92/8 525/5 Electrical black sports leather, 3.73 LSD. Black on black
    BMW E30 Touring 89/3 325/5 Manual black sports leather, 3.91 LSD. Diamond Black on black
    - From sweden yah b0rk b0rk b0rk -


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Canada, Québec
    Posts
    2,508
    My Cars
    97' 328i, 01' 320i
    According to my but dyno, there is a small increase in acceleration. Nothing crazy, but fun indeed. I can't wait to test it on the standing 1/4 mile. I want to do the same time as my 535.
    Error 404

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