E39 LSD alternatives for swaps

[inovermyhead]

I was perusing around for LSD options for the E39 and I stumbled across this: RacingDiffs LSD Conversion

Does anybody have any experience with this kit or know anything about it? It seems like an option worth considering, seeing how M5 diffs are proving to be impossible to find for me.

If not a kit like this, what else might I be able to do to avoid the one-tire fire without sacrificing an arm and a leg?

[E36M3LX]

I was perusing around for LSD options for the E39 and I stumbled across this: RacingDiffs LSD Conversion

Does anybody have any experience with this kit or know anything about it? It seems like an option worth considering, seeing how M5 diffs are proving to be impossible to find for me.

If not a kit like this, what else might I be able to do to avoid the one-tire fire without sacrificing an arm and a leg?

weld it? unfortunately, I don't know of any other cheap options. Good quality LSD units start at like $1,300 USD

I would try to find someone that has first hand experience with that specific conversion. you might be able to find someone in FB groups.

Would be a lot of time and work to find out it doesn't work like you wanted or at all. or maybe it would even ruin your diff?

But if you have the spare time and money, it might be worth a try.

[inovermyhead]

I think that for now, I will just get a Quaife unit, which brings up further questions. How strong are the Quaife LSD's? I'm planning on making a little over 400 whp out of the LS, with the plan to spray a 100 shot of nitrous after a while. I know that the 540i diffs are fairly cheap and stronger than the 528i diffs, but that would also involve getting axels. If I were to go this route, I'd just pull the whole rear subframe from a 540 and swap them. Is it worth swapping diffs before swapping the internals? or is the new quaife unit strong enough to handle what I want.

[E36M3LX]

I think that for now, I will just get a Quaife unit, which brings up further questions. How strong are the Quaife LSD's? I'm planning on making a little over 400 whp out of the LS, with the plan to spray a 100 shot of nitrous after a while. I know that the 540i diffs are fairly cheap and stronger than the 528i diffs, but that would also involve getting axels. If I were to go this route, I'd just pull the whole rear subframe from a 540 and swap them. Is it worth swapping diffs before swapping the internals? or is the new quaife unit strong enough to handle what I want.

torque is gonna be your problem, but i wouldnt be worried about the LSD unit itself. the smaller 188mm diff and axles wont like more than 400 torque. is the 540 diff 210mm and the 528 diff 188mm? if so, definitely swap and build the 210mm

[inovermyhead]

torque is gonna be your problem, but i wouldnt be worried about the LSD unit itself. the smaller 188mm diff and axles wont like more than 400 torque. is the 540 diff 210mm and the 528 diff 188mm? if so, definitely swap and build the 210mm

That all sounds correct from what I understand. I'll definitely just find a rear subframe from a 540i and throw the Quaife in that 210mm diff. Luckily, 540i complete subframes don't seem too hard to come by nowadays.

[hakentt]

I was perusing around for LSD options for the E39 and I stumbled across this

that lasts about one month and clutches ware out

[E36M3LX]

that lasts about one month and clutches ware out

do you have personal experience with those ebay kits? at $250 it is tempting to try, as my labor is "free"

[inovermyhead]

do you have personal experience with those ebay kits? at $250 it is tempting to try, as my labor is "free"

That was my thoughts as well, I have yet to actually speak to somebody with one of these kits. I've seen a few things on the internet and its either a hit or miss. At this price point, it's tempting just to give it a shot. Maybe I'll try it with the 528i diff before I upgrade to the Quaife 540i diff, just for shits and giggles.

[pbonsalb]

Not sure if the E39 diff is the same as the E36 — I recall it being different, but the 188 may hold up. Read Fair’s post here:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...mm-diffs/page4

My E36 M3 Turbo with 188 held up to drag racing until I was over 500 lbs rwtq and running drag radials. The diff still held but output stubs snapped. Changed to a 210, added more power, and no issues since.

[Lantz]

The 540i diffs are not bad but there is no support for ring and pinion ratios. In my opinion the M5 dif is best option but they are now pricy since the E39 M5 went through the roof. Just keep in mind that all the components dont swap between the 188, 210, and 215 diffs. So if you commit to doing a LSD on the 188 and blow it up, you now have to rebuy the LSD and all new components to fit the the 210 or 215. If cheap is your goal, leaving it open or welding might be your best options to get a feel for your new ride. For what its worth, I went the 540i dif route and quickly decided it didnt meet my needs, the 3.15 gear ration on a T56 was horrible.

[James39]

I went with the M5 diff and e36 M3 3.62 gears. The gears bolted right up, no adjustment necessary. That was about 10 years ago though

[pbonsalb]

E36 M3 Euro 3.62 gears. As far as breaking diffs go, the smaller the teeth, the weaker the gear. So if you are thinking about staying with a 188mm, gearing in the 2.93-3.23 range will be stronger than 3.38-3.91.