Author Topic: Went to yards to search for a new diff, prices were !?$%! (Read 3997 times)

JoeDellio · « **on:** February 18, 2009, 09:41:40 PM »

I was looking to get a 3.64 for my car, since from research and other peoples input it seems like Id be happy with it.

The Euro yard I went to had no LSD's, and the guy said $150 for the diff. From what I understand I need the axles also. He said $100 per axle?!?

$350 for an open diff sounds flippin insane. Am I correct?

Another yard (non-euro) said $250 for diff and axles, thats a little better but still seemed high.

Rafiki · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2009, 12:22:30 AM »

just wondering what junk yard you went to? Lkq? how many e30's were there? and i have no idea how much they go for. sorry im no help.

dbgrubbs · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2009, 05:10:34 AM »

That's pretty pricey. There's a 3.64 small case open diff at the yard across the street from me. They charge $48. I just picked up a 3.91 lsd a few weeks ago for the same price.

colin86325 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:35:59 AM »

Do you need the axles or just the axle flanges? If you're swapping an E36 dif into an E36 you might not even need the axle flanges, but I'm not sure.

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2009, 09:56:39 PM »

Do you guys know whether or not the trannys found behind e36 m42s are zf's or getrags? I am more than positive that BMW switched over to zf's in the e36s that had a 1.00:1 5th gear which would necessitate a much lower diff ratio. I haven't been able to find anything about it. $150 for the diff isn't bad, but if that guys thinks he is going to get $100 a pop for axles, he's crazy.

Edit: Well I guess I was ill informed, the obd1 e36's ran getrag 250's and they switched over in '96 to the zf's. But I answered my own question, m42 powered e36's ran 3.45:1 diffs. So rather than looking for a 3.64 you should be looking for a 3.25 or 3.15.

JoeDellio · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:15:51 PM »

Quote from: Jimmy Lewis;66874

Do you guys know whether or not the trannys found behind e36 m42s are zf's or getrags? I am more than positive that BMW switched over to zf's in the e36s that had a 1.00:1 5th gear which would necessitate a much lower diff ratio. I haven't been able to find anything about it. $150 for the diff isn't bad, but if that guys thinks he is going to get $100 a pop for axles, he's crazy.

Edit: Well I guess I was ill informed, the obd1 e36's ran getrag 250's and they switched over in '96 to the zf's. But I answered my own question, m42 powered e36's ran 3.45:1 diffs. So rather than looking for a 3.64 you should be looking for a 3.25 or 3.15.

Right on. UPDATE. I just realized all the gear ratios I was running were for an E30:( But thanks for the info on the tranny, I thought I was running a ZF (whats the difference anyways? the stupid ass 1:1 5th that revs to the moon?). Yeah I have a 3.45 with the BS 1:1 5th gear.

I have a guy here locally with a 3.15 outta a 97 M3, but he wants $450 for it and the axles!!!!!!!!!!! I told him $350, and I still cringe at that.

JoeDellio · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:18:12 PM »

Quote from: Rafiki;66811

just wondering what junk yard you went to? Lkq? how many e30's were there? and i have no idea how much they go for. sorry im no help.

Nah, I went to Ricks European off of 114th and 66th in Largo. They have a shit load of E30 parts, but its a salvage yard, not a u pull it. Why, are you here in TAMPA?

Rafiki · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:34:36 PM »

yeah i live right down the road from usf. i need a few random things. fuel pump, few interior pieces.

i have an open 4.10 if anyone is interested! haha

szed03 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2009, 09:12:00 PM »

Quote from: colin86325;66835

Do you need the axles or just the axle flanges? If you're swapping an E36 dif into an E36 you might not even need the axle flanges, but I'm not sure.

Yes, the 6cyl non-M diff output flanges are needed.

Quote from: Jimmy Lewis;66874

Do you guys know whether or not the trannys found behind e36 m42s are zf's or getrags? I am more than positive that BMW switched over to zf's in the e36s that had a 1.00:1 5th gear which would necessitate a much lower diff ratio. I haven't been able to find anything about it. $150 for the diff isn't bad, but if that guys thinks he is going to get $100 a pop for axles, he's crazy.

Edit: Well I guess I was ill informed, the obd1 e36's ran getrag 250's and they switched over in '96 to the zf's. But I answered my own question, m42 powered e36's ran 3.45:1 diffs. So rather than looking for a 3.64 you should be looking for a 3.25 or 3.15.

Very early 318s used the Getrag 200 but the 250 superseded not long after. The 250 is also used in 325s. ZF (310 and 320) transmissions were used in the M3 and 328. Both Getrag and ZFs had a 1:1 5th gear.

fiftytakedowns · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2009, 02:24:32 AM »

noob question: You have to take off the parts you want correct? do you bring your own tools? etc.. Thanks