Was just reading in a German language Alpina brochure for E36 parts that they have/had a special version diff cover for better cooling, translated: Alpina final drive cover
To keep the oil temperature in the final drive of the BMW Alpina B8 4.6 in the acceptable area, a special diff cover was designed, which offers a larger surface with 19 cooling ribs. The oil volume was increased to 3.1 liters with this design.
A oil temperature reduction of up to 30 degree Celsius can be achieved.
This modification is especially recommended for your BMW when you drive often higher speeds on the Autobahn over long distances, and also for cars which are used for pulling trailers. For BMW 323i - 328i, M3 up to 9/95; Touring, Cabrio,
order/part no. 33 10 131, brochure print date September 2003, pic on page 5 of the catalog https://www.thealpinaregister.com/do...lpinaparts.pdf
Unfortunately it does not fit my 1998 M3.
Are there any other companies which offer such diff cooling mods for the E36?
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
Rogue engineering! They make a beautiful finned diff cover which is almost identical to the Alpina for 650. They can also put in their urethane bushings for a bit more. I want to get one but need to buy a clutch first.
Last I remember, rogue doesn't have them in stock and they're being made, but diffsonline should have them in stock.
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Rogue used to offer a finned diff cover for the E36 188mm. Might have been another or a knockoff.
nice, looks like the Alpina one https://www.rogueengineering.com/Rog...over_p_75.html
excerpt from description: The benefit of this expanded capacity cover is to extend the life of the LSD clutch packs. These clutch packs will overheat when driven at the limit. Our cover helps reduce the temperature in a number of ways:
1.Increase fluid capacity from 1.5 quarts to 3 quarts.
2.Extended "fins" catch airflow to cool the cover itself, as it heats up from the increase in fluid temperature.
What happens when you use a stock differential at the track, even at a simple driver school? With a single 30 minute track session, a driver with average ability can increase the temperatures in a stock differential, causing the fluid to start seeping out of the vent hole. By doubling the capacity of the amount of differential fluid, as well as adding much needed cooling fins, the differential is allowed to function properly, within the factory specified temperature parameters. The cooling fins stick below the actual differential, allowing for additional cooling. For increased cooling surface area, the fins are connected at the bottom, similar to the factory E39 M5 and E46 M3 differential covers. The extended area of the differential cover extends 2.25" lower the stock cover.
How Effective Is the Cover? In a recent AER race, a team running an E36 logged data on their E36 during the 9 hour event. They reported back to us they found a 35 degree F drop in differential fluid temperatures. By reducing these temperatures, they are able to prevent their differential from a necessary rebuild from overheating.
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
Yup, Alpina only made one for the 188 diff.
I doubt you could get the 210 diff too hot that easily.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
We had a 79 Euro 635csi that had a 210 diff with external cooler. Not sure whether it was original or aftermarket since I don’t know the exact history of the car. It was seriously modded and tracked.
That RE part is badass and worth it for people who race.
We need china to make one for all of our diffs, they would be like $100 lol.
Attn. NEWBIES: Use the search feature, 98% has already been discussed.
Click the search button, select "search single content type", select the "e36 sub forum" specifically, try the "search titles" then try the "search entire posts".
Would this only be useful for differentials with clutch packs ?
see RE details: The benefit of this expanded capacity cover is to extend the life of the LSD clutch packs. These clutch packs will overheat when driven at the limit.
So basically as also Alpina says: driving at the limit/high speed on the Autobahn over long distances or when hauling, races, not needed for daily use.
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
If your just hauling on the Autobahn, there will be little to zero action on the clutchpacks.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
You are from Europe and you know how many cars there have tow hooks and in summer time there are plenty of people using it to haul large campers + drive thru the Alps and they often use the steep scenic Alpen streets instead of the Autobahn tunnels.
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
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