DIY/Mod Fitting an Limited Slip Diff in your E38

[apexilude]

That was my thought. But didn't you have noise issues when you did that?
I have a friend that builds diffs so I might see if he's interested.

My noise occurred with the e32 lsd and ring with the e38 pinion. I was foolish to mix and match the ring and pinion call me lazy. The e38 pinion preload was not set for the e32 ring gear. So there was a lot of slop. Same with the backlash on the carrier. Switching out the e32 ring gear on the lsd solved the issue. No slop on the carrier no banging on the pinion. Smooth engagement.

Just down on 2qts of rp maxgear and r/r x2 of my own labor at this point.

[Kurt C]

Now that you've had a few weeks to thoroughly test this mod out, have you experienced any side effects with the traction control switched on or off?

[apexilude]

Now that you've had a few weeks to thoroughly test this mod out, have you experienced any side effects with the traction control switched on or off?

No side effects on she has been my daily. The traction control tries to intervene on snow when you try to slide. Traction control off is smiles for miles.

[Jimmy E34]

I must do this! Great write up.

Just curious, how tight is the E32 LSD centre? The figure of '25%' rings a bell but I'm not sure.

Also is it a torsen or clutch type LSD? Can it be made tighter or would you recommend leaving it at the factory preload?

Thanks!

[apexilude]

I must do this! Great write up.

Just curious, how tight is the E32 LSD centre? The figure of '25%' rings a bell but I'm not sure.

Also is it a torsen or clutch type LSD? Can it be made tighter or would you recommend leaving it at the factory preload?

Thanks!

Since both cases and guts are 210mm the fitment is perfect. I did have to swap over the 3.15 ring from the open diff to keep the e38 ring and pinion together. You are correct the LSD is a 25% lock.

The e38 is a pig so at slow speeds the lsd groans from time to time. I probably need to redo the clutches in the next year or so. It is a clutch type setup and you can easily rebuild and add another clutch for 40% lockup. From my research this is about a $750 lsd clutch rebuild from either diffsonline or thayermotorsports. TBH its fun with just a 25% lock plenty of grip and still lays some nice tails on the road.

[tmaxx445]

The Guts of the M5 Assembly would fit in a pre 3-96 e38 case has to be an 8 side bolt case though.

You would need to swap the pinion over to the e38 diff to keep the ring and pinion together.

I decided to remove my diff again. Popped the cover and swapped the ring gear from the e38 diff onto the e32 lsd carrier. I do not have any more backlash noise when turning the gear. Going to reinstall tonight and will give it another go. I could not take the noise on decel that the car was making. Made the 740 sound like a beater dodge neon.

Did you use the e32 output shaft cover/spacer rings or the originals from the 95 e38 diff? In other words do they need to be matched to the spool or the diff case itself?




thanks,
tmaxx445

[apexilude]

Did you use the e32 output shaft cover/spacer rings or the originals from the 95 e38 diff? In other words do they need to be matched to the spool or the diff case itself?

thanks,
tmaxx445

Used the originals output shaft covers and ring spacer to the e38 diff. Tbh either would have worked.

[povdrive kls]

i just istalled a 3.15 diff from a 740i e38 1995 in my 1998 e38 740i which had a 2.93 diff , your topic was very helpful , Thanks ,
In the new diff i also installed a lsd carrier from a e32 750 , so now i have a e38 740 lsd 3.15 with 6sp manual , my dream car .
i just want specify that i didn t have to change the flanges, or the driveshaft , for me was direct swap .I used the flanges from the 95 diff
if somebody needs more details i can answer

[Rhein Amacher]

Are there any other BMW vehicles, whom share the similar large type 215K differential carrier as the 1995 E38 3.15 open differential, except be a LSD, and would have its internal LSD "guts" swapped into the 1995 E38 open differential? I am looking for an even shorter gear ratio (wanting a 3.38-3.46 LSD ratio) than the common, 3.15 LSD gear ratio that has previously been mentioned in this forum thread, (so not the E32 750iL or the E39 M5 3.15 LSD) and not wanting the 3.62 M-variable LSD found in the E46 M3 either?

[povdrive kls]

Hi , i have 1995 e38 large case differnetial 3;15 with lsd internals from a e 32 750 , i have installed new bearing and seals and used it for 5000 km , i sold the car now but i kept the diff ,
, if anyone interested to buy it whatsapp me 0040769724413 , my cars was 740 e38 1998 manual gearbox,

[Contegoo]

Will internal parts from e38 fit into e34 210 diff case?