Author Topic: Did any 318's come with a stock LSD? e36 (Read 4290 times)

JoeDellio · « **on:** July 27, 2009, 05:25:50 PM »

Im getting a bunch of goodies next weekend, and everytime I read up on LSD's on BF it always talks about using the diffs from the I6's, but Id rather not have to swap in the diff, cups, axles, and the rear part of the I6 driveshaft. Then it gets a little too expensive.

Any direct swappo from an already locked 318 diff thatll work in my e36?

Hodge · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2009, 07:00:45 PM »

Yes.

My 1995 318i came stock with a 3.45 LSD. It was part of the "Winter Package". The LSD and the Alloy Bottlecap wheels were the only two options my car had.

It went belly up about a year and a half ago, and I bought a 3.45 Rally Variable LSD w/ 4 clutch discs from Metric Mechanic and it has been nothing but amazing. Sent my old core to them too. Not really cheap, but worth it, and it can handle any power I could throw at it. IIRC they told me it would be good up to 280ftlbs torque. Not bad for a tiny diff. This is still the small case (168) differential too.

JoeDellio · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:04:33 PM »

Word. Im guessing the stock open 3.45 is quite weak then? Any idea what it can handle?

Hodge · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2009, 09:50:16 PM »

Quote from: JoeDellio;76091

Word. Im guessing the stock open 3.45 is quite weak then? Any idea what it can handle?

I'm sure a stock 3.45LSD small case is fine, as long as it doesn't have the problem mine did. I had half of the allen head bolts' heads snap off inside the diff and make the limited slip unit actually just barely hanging on.

So I figured it was a good time to upgrade. I'd say a stock small case could handle a 325's power, but I'd still probably want a strong diff just so I wouldn't have to keep swapping diffs.

JoeDellio · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2009, 06:09:24 PM »

I found a 4.45 LSD. I was worried about the highway RPM's, but from what I understand our trannies have the 1:1 final drive, so it will keep the RPM's pretty close to my 3.45's in fifth right?

Hodge · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2009, 08:52:25 PM »

Quote from: JoeDellio;76446

I found a 4.45 LSD. I was worried about the highway RPM's, but from what I understand our trannies have the 1:1 final drive, so it will keep the RPM's pretty close to my 3.45's in fifth right?

No...it will suck on the highway with 4.45 and 1:1 5th.

I have a 3.45 and the 1:1 5th now and @80mph my RPMs are at about 3700.

Trust me, a 1:1 5th is the crappiest gearing for a final drive used for the interstate. I really wish I had a .83:1 6th gear for highway use.

JoeDellio · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2009, 08:58:56 PM »

Quote from: Hodge;76454

No...it will suck on the highway with 4.45 and 1:1 5th.

I have a 3.45 and the 1:1 5th now and @80mph my RPMs are at about 3700.

Trust me, a 1:1 5th is the crappiest gearing for a final drive used for the interstate. I really wish I had a .83:1 6th gear for highway use.

Sheeit, I only have the big 1100 mile road trip once, and then Ill be in Tampa, which is major city driving all the time. The interstate there has a speed limit of 55 to 60, which I dont think would be that bad. Any opinions would be great.

Hodge · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2009, 07:17:19 AM »

The interstate in Florida is 70mph, and even @ 70mph the rpms are too high for my tastes.

A 4.45 coupled with the 1:1 might be ok in city driving, but on the highway, it will be horrible.