my new car

[andrewbuch]

suppose it does really depend on your driving..

I was looking at getting a 3.46 MAX on my 318i 5 Speed.. Was told revs would only be like 500 RPM higher in each gear.
But wont be doing it, as the 4cyl would be a waste to spend money on and also gona be selling the car in 1.5 years when I go overseas for a few years

 

[moranor@axis]

as far as i know a 318i runs a pretty high ratio already not sure thou

 

[andrewbuch]

I dont know. Where would I find out?

 

[moranor@axis]

just had a look and the 2001 has a 3.38

 

[andrewbuch]

Where can I find out?

Cause we also have a 1992 E36 316i. If it has higher ratio than the E46 then I could swop those internals? If thats even possible

 

[moranor@axis]

dont know anything about e36 diffs but as far as i know e36 and e46 diffs are not the same you would have to ask someone like gizmo i got most of my info from here but these are the US models so dont have some of the smaller engines and also dont have diesel there is a good ratio calculator there also

 

[andrewbuch]

E46 318i uses 3.38 diff.. So thats what I got, so a 3.46 will make a slight difference

 

[moranor@axis]

it would probably not be worth the cost for a 318 it would be like me going from a 3.07 to 3.15 diff

 

[andrewbuch]

So I need 6 Speed Box & 3.64 LSD and I am sorted.. Then a stupid Velociti with a cone filter will still clap my 318i

 

[ruaangrobler]

@Maranor, thanks man. That's some good info to keep in mind. I'll slot the 6 speed box down on my 'to do' list, and probably do the diff thing after that.

Thanks

 

[moranor@axis]

@ andrew
the e46 3.64 LSD is only from the M3 and wont fit any other E46 without doing some hectic mods to the rear subframe i would suggest when you come back to SA you get something like a e46 330i with a 6 speed box then its a simple diff swap but still no LSD

@ruaangrobler if you need more info on the swap let me know

 

[andrewbuch]

I know I know.. Thats the problem with E46 if you want LSD then need to pay up for a quaife

 

[moranor@axis]

im hoping the quaife prices will drop when more people start modding e46s

 

[andrewbuch]

I am hoping Gizmo will sort it out. He said there are plans for it..

 

[moranor@axis]

i asked him a while back about getting something for my car...i think he is busy with his e36 so hes not too worried about the e46

 

[moranor@axis]

real oem has diff ratios also probably best to check there they have the diffs under "rear axle"