Can I use the E46 ring and pinion into E36 differential case ?

[Zubehor]

Just as the tile says. My friend has a E46 differential that i can get. I know I can not use the case but can I take the ring and pinion and install it in my case? The E46 case is the same as the E30 right?

[Rob Levinson]

If you're talking regular E46 330/328/325/323, it's the new "medium" size, completely incompatible with the USA-market E36 M3 housing.

If you're talking E46 M3, that is a standard "large" size gearset that can be installed in the European-market E36 M3 Evolution large housing (which also requires the Evolution subframe).

[Zubehor]

I should've been more specific, I was talking about a "regular" E46 into my USA market E36 M3 housing. How about the E30 ring and pinion? Would that fit inside the E36 housing?

[Alpinerunner]

Bump! I'm looking to put an e46 3.46 ring and pinion from a FRONT diff (xi) into an e36 differential. Will this work?

[Rob Levinson]

Bump! I'm looking to put an e46 3.46 ring and pinion from a FRONT diff (xi) into an e36 differential. Will this work?

Nope. As above, zero compatibility between any non-M E46 gearsets and any E36 application.

[ScotcH]

Wow ... a wild Rob appears.

[Rob Levinson]

Wow ... a wild Rob appears.

LOL

…and back to my secret lair!

[Nova1]

Wow that is a name I haven’t seen in a long time. Good to see you are still around.

[Rob Levinson]

Wow that is a name I haven’t seen in a long time. Good to see you are still around.

Thanks, man. Appreciate that.

[Alpinerunner]

Nope. As above, zero compatibility between any non-M E46 gearsets and any E36 application.

Thank you! That is helpful. Looks like find an e36 M3 auto diff is the best (cheapest) bet to get close to 3.46.

[NeilM]

Thank you! That is helpful. Looks like find an e36 M3 auto diff is the best (cheapest) bet to get close to 3.46.

The easiest/cheapest 3.46 LSD is from an E30. You transfer over the entire E30 diff guts into your E36 housing, but retaining your original speedo toothed wheel.

Some assembly (and knowledge) required.

Neil
96 M3 — 6 speed trans and 3.46 diff.

[Alpinerunner]

That is good to know, but probably above the level of work me or my friend (it's actually for his 95 M3) are willing to do, but good to know! He actually bought an e36 M3 auto diff (3.38) for $700 today, and the guy will buy his 3.15 for $500. Hell of a deal!