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Thread: differential swap questions

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    new hampshire
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    2
    My Cars
    2000 bmw 323ci

    differential swap questions

    i have 2 bmw e46's.

    one is a 99 323i auto and the other is a 00 323ci manual. bought the 323ci with a z4 upgraded differential. i hate it. 100mph for any legth of time just seems so damaging to the motor redlining alomost. even 80@ like 4500rpm is just uncomfortable driving to me. so i also have the 323i automatic which i believe has a warped head. and just about ready to throw in the towel with the thing. so i was just thinking why not take the differential from the 323i and put it on my 323ci. and then i can just sell the z4 diff. however. new to bmws and not all that knowledgeable with part swapping. on realoem it seems like it will work.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lawrence Kansas
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    1,236
    My Cars
    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    Do it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    new hampshire
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    2000 bmw 323ci
    Quote Originally Posted by dhurley34 View Post
    Do it.
    this isnt nike were talking about. i need to know a definitive answer to if its going to work and if so will it be back to stock or is an automative gear ratio different than manual?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lawrence Kansas
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    1,236
    My Cars
    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    Yes it will work. Ratio is different, but its a popular swap for daily driven manuals

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    El Paso Del Norte, TX, US
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    My Cars
    ‘15 F31d Msport
    It's still a deeper ratio than stock.

    Use bokchoys diff calculator to find out if it is worth it.

    i don't know what the z4 ratio is, but the auto should be 3.46

    puts rpm at 3200-3300 at 70.

    If if you want it way lower than that, you want a manual sedan diff.

    Edit, I went and checked ratios on z4.
    if you want something in between you want a z4 manual diff. 3.23 or 3.38
    what you have is probably an auto z4 diff which is either 3.64 or 3.73. Way too damn deep for a manual.
    Last edited by Onizukachan; 06-28-2017 at 01:11 PM.
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