E30/36 LSD into E46 Swap

For a completed unit ready to bolt in around 1.5k for the most basic

If you buy an aftermarket unit ala OS Giken or quaife/wavetrack you still need to pay somebody to install it. Costs of those completed are 2.2-3.1k; machine work still required.

OS is the best but cost is quite a lot more when all done.

Completed units will be done in a few weeks, cars are already slotted for them

Originally Posted by wanganstyle

For a completed unit ready to bolt in around 1.5k.

If you buy an aftermarket unit ala OS Giken or quaife/wavetrack you still need to pay somebody to install it. Costs of those completed are 2.2-3.1k; machine work still required.

OS is the best but cost is quite a lot more when all done.

Completed units will be done in a few weeks, cars are already slotted for them

I was quoted $1250 for the Wavetrac and $600 for the install, so $1850 in total... and that's in Canada, where everything costs more than the USA.

Originally Posted by jabela

I was quoted $1250 for the Wavetrac and $600 for the install, so $1850 in total... and that's in Canada, where everything costs more than the USA.

What are you waiting for>? thats pretty low pricing

It's still a lot of money to spend on a $9000 car, especially when E46 guys can get an LSD for $300.

Originally Posted by jabela

I was quoted $1250 for the Wavetrac and $600 for the install, so $1850 in total... and that's in Canada, where everything costs more than the USA.

Where abouts was this? Have you gotten it done yet? I would really be interested in knowing where I could get my hands on the Wavetrac differential. You guys really helped me out by reading the info you've posted, THANKS!!

I got that quote from RMP Motors in Toronto.

Did you get an lsd installed into your car or know anyone that has used the wavetrac set up?

Originally Posted by jabela

It's still a lot of money to spend on a $9000 car, especially when E46 guys can get an LSD for $300.

you mean e30/36 guys can get a used random mystery lsd for $300. then spend $300+ in parts and 300+ in labor (or time) to rebuild it.

so = $900 in good diff for a $500 e30.......or $1500 e36. Not a very good equation at all! but worth it.

I race a E30, know all about this silly game.
Definitely shows up in lap time when its done right vs not done correctly (using random junkyard diffs that like to give up)

if one wants a $free solution and can handle some wheel hop (and potential axel failure) then welding the OEM open diff is actually not a bad option. cost $0 also

Originally Posted by jskeets

Did you get an lsd installed into your car or know anyone that has used the wavetrac set up?

Wavertrack is popular with e90 crowd; many 335's run around with it. Looks nice although I'm not sure how good they are for lap time - I much prefer tracking with a clutch type LSD; its the general consensus among those after lap time.

Originally Posted by wanganstyle

Wavertrack is popular with e90 crowd; many 335's run around with it. Looks nice although I'm not sure how good they are for lap time - I much prefer tracking with a clutch type LSD; its the general consensus among those after lap time.

Not exactly looking for a lot of track time with it. Just some weekend warrior fun. Should do the trick for what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info

Originally Posted by jskeets

Not exactly looking for a lot of track time with it. Just some weekend warrior fun. Should do the trick for what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info

Quaife would also be a good choice for a street car; they may be less or more than wavertrac

Made some progress on this project; had some cases worked on the Digital Mill to fit the LSD center units; They will go to the hot tank next.

Originally Posted by wanganstyle

Quaife would also be a good choice for a street car; they may be less or more than wavertrac

I've heard a few things about Quaife, although I looked them up and only found UK sites.. do they have products in North America also? What can you tell me about them? Thanks

Quaife bmw LSD is exclusive to Birds UK.

Gear type units popular for street cars; inquire with birds uk if you want one

More progress, final mock up before hot tanking.

Bump for updates

Updates; have not hot tanked and have been busy getting more parts made from billet to
Finish fitting this unit.

Had billet spacer with radius milled and precison ground to
fit under the axel bearing and precisely fit under the bearing.

Then precision ground end spacer to compensate

This is going to be cleaned and now get cleaned up for its flight to asia.

Also made another product to help solve some supply chain/production problems for bmw differentials

M14->m12 Reducers.

Precision machined to press fit from Seamless high strength steel.

Deaigned to press fit into Oem bmw M14-M12 holes they allow those with WBS //M cars that have M14 holes to fit m12 gears and keep original /current m14 holes LSD unit. M cars have always had to change to a m12 size LSD as well to Mach.

Originally Posted by wanganstyle

I race a E30, know all about this silly game.

True, but it is still a lot. That's the BMW tax. Shame on BMW for using open diffs.

I haven't installed a Wavetrac yet. Not sure if I'll be keeping this car for a while or not.

From what I've seen, the Wavetrac is cheaper than a Quaiffe or Torsen diff, and any clutch type diff. Based on how much the E9X guys like them, it's definitely what I would get for limited track days and autocross.

Wanganstyle, that looks promising! So are you now offering the E30/36 LSD into an E46 casing along with the other options?

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Wanganstyle, that looks promising! So are you now offering the E30/36 LSD into an E46 casing along with the other options?

Yes thanks for asking.

This unit and a parallel built unit with a billet top cap are going to Asia for a pair of NON-M E39/E46 500/600 rwhp (turbo/supercharged) Inline-6 cars. I had a few extra case units milled and setup for future use if customers wish to order builds using the OEM BMW ZF LSD units.

The ZF Oem option is good for those who want a clutch diff that will drive like OEM and have factory service intervals. The OEM ZF LSD
Unit is quite modular so can be adapted to various configurations of the same chassis. It's also good for those who own a e30/36 as then some setting parts can be shared between the cars in the owners stable.

This pictured unit is for LOW ratio cars (turbocharged 528i gt35r). Final drive: 2.93 - not commonly avail but will also fit: 2.65, 3.07

The parallel unit being built will be for 3.64 ratio and 3.15-4.10 final drive ranges (HIGH ratio). Most naturally aspirated cars with higher rpm redlines and original dna engines will be in this range.

Billet top and modified stock center housing with relocated c clip grooves.
This cap is designed to allow for 4 clutch discs internal stack setup from billet. Built in the Bay Area!



Billet top cap designed to plug and play with OEM ZF LSD center capsule and stack items.



Seamless Steel adapters for using WBS //M LSD unit (M14) with M12 standard E46 330i ring gear (3.64)


New higher strength hardware for top cap


Digitally Milled Housings; Hot Tanked post to remove anything/everything/

Completed.

Ring gear installed, bearings installed for test fit up into milled case:



happy gears rarely seen through center capsule portal



Note scribe line in middle of LSD capsule unit; Factory mark for WBS Vin number //M car (e36M3 or e36/7 z3M) LSD unit.



Billet spacer made for inner spider stack adjustment:


Oiling grooves cut on both sides on digital mill with ball hone:




Where this pretty Billet piece lives: (undercover)


Precision ground Clutch steel to match precision ground center ramps: This is a stock 25% locking unit setup with Porsche Clutch discs for an everyday use Automatic (ESS kit) Street car:



happy spiders (everything has been hot tanked to not have a repulsive odor):


Belleville washer retained to prolong service interval on internals.


high lubrication style late model spider cross bars and gears:


stack me up.



The Center stack is aligned and fitted with spiders, discs, everything:



Side stubs Machined to fit C-clip grooves of E36M LSD:

Great work and thanks for sharing all the pictures. So did you ditch the ring gear spacer when you went the custom cap? Will you be selling bits or only completed units?

My interest: I drive a (custom) v8 e36 (with LSD). I want to swap into a e46 but not wanting to loose the LSD. So I already have the e36 diff. I've considered swapping the whole rear assembly (including axles and hubs) with an e46m setup. This has been done on other cars but I'd prefer to stay away from the rare M parts. Will be fall at the earliest I will be making any changes but am enjoying watching the project.

(There were also some can bus issues going to e46 but think I have that solved now.)