WTB LSD for non M manual 3.0SI

[jmilt13]

Looking for an LSD, Quaife or M Performance to fit my 2007 3.0SI coupe thats a manual.

[wdb]

That will make your car almost perfect (still needs a hydraulic steering conversion, yes it is doable). Good luck!

Please let us know what the car is like post-LSD. I *almost* kept my 3.0si as opposed to the M car; they are different beasts, and the 3.0si has quite a few very compelling qualities.

[jmilt13]

TTT

[Murf993]

I saw LSD and thought "purple mic".....

[jmilt13]

One's for grip, that's for losing grip, lol

[WilliamWally]

I've been keeping an non-dedicated eye out for something similar and haven't seen one come up for about a year or so of looking.

[jmilt13]

Yea, I'm likely to just get an MFactory new next spring if I don't come across a used one.

[3002 tii]

You may have better luck with the e46 crowd like e46fanatics

[KevsZ4]

Did you ever find the LSD? I am thinking the same thing for my 07 3.0si 6spd.
Thanks
KG

[jmilt13]

Bump

[danbmw1]

Hi, for anyone interested, I currently have my 3.0si coupe 6 speed on the lift ready to undergo an LSD conversion in the coming couple weeks. I’ve obtained an LSD from a E46 M3 (someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think they’re essentially the same as a Z4M one but the Z4M LSD weighs less than the E46 M3 one) and will be swapping that along with a Z4M driveshaft. I can update after its complete and may make somewhat of a DIY thread and what’s needed and how involved it is for anyone looking to do the same.

On a side note, I may also have a Z4M differential available for sale soon, or the E46 M3 one if I use the Z4M one instead. If anyone wants to purchase one right now I believe redline auto parts has a Z4M one available for around $1,000. Can be googled and found on their site.

[gmbbs]

is the 3.0si diff the same as an E46 non-M diff? I have a couple E46 non-M LSD diffs.

[danbmw1]

Originally Posted by gmbbs

is the 3.0si diff the same as an E46 non-M diff? I have a couple E46 non-M LSD diffs.

Most likely they will fit and bolt up as far as subframe goes but non M E46 diffs have variances. Such as 328i and 330i (I’m assuming they may be same as 2.5 & 3.0 older Z4s) diffs having different output flanges for driveshaft (4 bolt/6 bolt, the 3.0si Z4 is 4 bolt). Also I know 330i drive axles don’t bolt to the 328i diff. So depending on the differential it’s probably possible.

[Vanne]

Originally Posted by danbmw1

Hi, for anyone interested, I currently have my 3.0si coupe 6 speed on the lift ready to undergo an LSD conversion in the coming couple weeks. I’ve obtained an LSD from a E46 M3 (someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think they’re essentially the same as a Z4M one but the Z4M LSD weighs less than the E46 M3 one) and will be swapping that along with a Z4M driveshaft. I can update after its complete and may make somewhat of a DIY thread and what’s needed and how involved it is for anyone looking to do the same.

On a side note, I may also have a Z4M differential available for sale soon, or the E46 M3 one if I use the Z4M one instead. If anyone wants to purchase one right now I believe redline auto parts has a Z4M one available for around $1,000. Can be googled and found on their site.

They are not the same! not even close, Z4m uses a variable disc pump system whereas the e46m3 uses the standard ramp system. and then the other differences start when you start to take the thing apart.. real easy for e46M3, impossible for Z4m pumkin. (well not IMPOSSIBLE, but you get my drift)

[danbmw1]

Originally Posted by Vanne

They are not the same! not even close, Z4m uses a variable disc pump system whereas the e46m3 uses the standard ramp system. and then the other differences start when you start to take the thing apart.. real easy for e46M3, impossible for Z4m pumkin. (well not IMPOSSIBLE, but you get my drift)

Ahh, makes sense, I was kind of thinking that there had to be a bigger difference but couldn’t find the information. For my 3.0si project I suppose the M3 diff will do the job just fine though and especially if the complexity of the Z4M diff means I’ll be able to easier rebuild the M3 one if needed.

[Steeler]

Unless you use an M3 cradle the M3 diff will not fit your si or any other nonM

Edit, there used to be a website named Bokchoys.com. It had a complete listing of BMW diff ratios and which ones were exchangeable thorough out the ranges. It is unfortunately offline.

I can report I have used several E46 and even an X3(E83) diff in my non M without issue, albeit they were not LSD.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Vanne

They are not the same! not even close, Z4m uses a variable disc pump system whereas the e46m3 uses the standard ramp system.

No the z4m and e46M3 diff are the same (they have different partnumbers as a whole unit but as internal working they are the same).
The e46m3 had a redesign mid life, and the latter one is the same as the z4m diff.
The earlier one is slightly different in design but not different in inner workings. Both diffs are speed actuated LSD's by means of pump that actuates a piston.

It is afaik the e36m3 that had a ramp actuated LSD.

That said, you cant fit a z4m/m3 diff to a non m z4 without swapping the complete rear axle and propshaft (or, at least from the rear axle you need the trailing arms, output shafts and subframe). Otherwise you have to make custom output shafts (and of course use the z4m rear axle subframe)
Also the final drive ratio is very different.

[Vanne]

Hi Guido, it's not the same.. even the clutch packs are different.. ask me how I know. Z4m has 2 more clutch plates than the E46 m3 ones. Which is why now after consultation with RacingDiffs, they offer a specific z4m clutch kit and a separate E46 M3 clutch kit.

Your right about the ramps though, not sure what part of my ass I pulled that from, but the actual diff and how it's tightened up is also completely different..

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Vanne

Hi Guido, it's not the same.. even the clutch packs are different.. ask me how I know. Z4m has 2 more clutch plates than the E46 m3 ones.

Afaik that is the difference between the early style e46 M3 diff and the later style m3 diff/z4m diff.
The e46 m3 has been fitted with 2 different lsd's, an earlier style and a later style.
Later style is I think fitted to e46 m3's from somewhere 2005 upwards, and all csl's

[GuidoK]

Ok, check this video out.

This is not how it's done, virtually everything you can do wrong, is done wrong here