E90 M3 diff on a 335i?

klipseracer · 11-06-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

I know. I am the only one that has done this thus far.

lol, owned!

mycoupe · 11-06-2010, 10:09 PM

everything is do able if you have the time and money

marv85 · 11-07-2010, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

I know. I am the only one that has done this thus far.

SO how much do you think it would cost to do this form A to Z in a shop

(Unfortunately I don't time to get my hands dirty)
This open differential is killing me!! especially now since its raining all the time, the car is not fun nor controllable. I need an LSD

marv85 · 11-07-2010, 12:26 AM

Oh and did you run into any issues so far with your M3 diff?

MKE_M3 · 11-07-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90TiAg335i

That would be true unless you have a welded ring gear like mine. Then it's probably cheaper going the m3 route. The only labor you'd have to pay for is the driveshaft cutting and balancing. I'm definetly going the m3 route when I come across the right deal!

In GeorgeSmooth's thread about his M3 diff install he said "... I do not have much detail as the install took me by surprise. The sideshafts from the M3 fit directly in the hubs. We used half the driveshaft of the M3 and half from the 335 auto. That's where the two components marry. The 335 driveshaft needed engineering work to be slightly shortened and the completed driveshaft balance. All in all it took a day and a half.
My tuner felt it was more a challenge than anything so we weren't expecting to use this as a permanent mod but something just to keep the car going till the OEM diff with Quaife is repaired. Now I have decided not to take it of hehe."

12 hours at a concervative $85/hr is $1000+ for the install. Definately does not sound cheaper. Plus the final drive is very low on the M3 diff, so definately not suitable for an MT (3.09 vs. 3.85), from what I could tell in the thread anyway.

e90TiAg335i · 11-07-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

I know. I am the only one that has done this thus far.

Sorry, I didn't pay close enough attention to who I was replying to...

Quote:

12 hours at a concervative $85/hr is $1000+ for the install. Definately does not sound cheaper. Plus the final drive is very low on the M3 diff, so definately not suitable for an MT (3.09 vs. 3.85), from what I could tell in the thread anyway.

You're forgetting that some of us have the option to do the work ourselves. All I would need to have done is the driveshaft balancing. The rest is nothing but bolts, metal, measuring, welding, sweat and blood.

No disrespect intended!

MKE_M3 · 11-07-2010, 08:31 AM

none taken. I can do a lot of work myselft, but this project is definately beyond my capabilities.

GeorgeSmooth · 11-08-2010, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

Oh and did you run into any issues so far with your M3 diff?

Hi marv,

It is hard to give you the cost involved as the labour rates in South Africa are no where close to the US.

The first diff I had installed was a 3.85 from the manual. It was quite a noisy diff. Upon research I found there was a replacement oil from BMW that quitened it down. When I exchanged to the 3.15 diff from the DCT I put the new oil and the diff is very quite. All in all I am happy with it.

marconi118 · 11-08-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

Hi marv,

It is hard to give you the cost involved as the labour rates in South Africa are no where close to the US.

The first diff I had installed was a 3.85 from the manual. It was quite a noisy diff. Upon research I found there was a replacement oil from BMW that quitened it down. When I exchanged to the 3.15 diff from the DCT I put the new oil and the diff is very quite. All in all I am happy with it.

Please ask the shop how did they marry the M3 shaft to the 335i shaft!!!!
Pictures would be great

apkraven · 11-09-2010, 04:31 AM

hey George, does it affect the dsc and traction systems on AT?

GeorgeSmooth · 11-09-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkraven

hey George, does it affect the dsc and traction systems on AT?

Not at all. Wheel speed is measured using the ABS sensors so there where zero affects.

N111CUK · 01-17-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

Not at all. Wheel speed is measured using the ABS sensors so there where zero affects.

Guys can I comment on something that has been missed.

Georges approach has a benefit over Quaife or Wavetrax

By using the M3 diff George was forced to to use the M3 axle shafts which are also stronger. If you are running more power you'll benefit here

Question for GeorgeSmooth
If I happened on a complete rear M3 subframe with all the bits attached to it would it not be easier just to swap the subframes out and do the drive shaft modification?
BOOM DONE or am I celebrating too early

GeorgeSmooth · 01-18-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N111CUK

Guys can I comment on something that has been missed.

Georges approach has a benefit over Quaife or Wavetrax

By using the M3 diff George was forced to to use the M3 axle shafts which are also stronger. If you are running more power you'll benefit here

Question for GeorgeSmooth
If I happened on a complete rear M3 subframe with all the bits attached to it would it not be easier just to swap the subframes out and do the drive shaft modification?
BOOM DONE or am I celebrating too early

I am not sure. The M3 diff bolts to the original subframe so its a diff to diff swop. I would imagine removing subframes might be more work. If I had the M3 subframe I would use it. Maybe post the question in the link higher up this thread as more people have now gotten experience with this mod.

N111CUK · 01-18-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

I am not sure. The M3 diff bolts to the original subframe so its a diff to diff swop. I would imagine removing subframes might be more work. If I had the M3 subframe I would use it. Maybe post the question in the link higher up this thread as more people have now gotten experience with this mod.

Idnan has completed this and its a direct fit.

As I'm interested in all the cool suspension parts of the M3 I think its worth the effort

As for the prop I found a company who can make a custom unit built for the higher BHP rates we're running for a reasonable £££ $$$.

I will start a new thread if I take on this project. Idnan has advised that the unit I found is over priced so I am still looking

Nigelo · 01-18-2013, 11:58 AM

The M3 prop is much stronger than the 335i one so you could use that as your propshaft basis rather than the cost of a completely new one?

chesney72 · 01-18-2013, 09:26 PM

LOL forgot I started this thread. Ended up taking easy Quaife option but best of luck to you guys, sounds great.

idnan · 01-19-2013, 04:26 PM

The only 'issues' with using a full m3 rear subframe is that the brakes are larger which affect bias and you have to swap to m3 rear shocks. Both of these are an upgrade over the 335i parts so won't be a problem. However I do suggest upgrading the front brakes to avoid bias issues as I told you.

Talking about props, you'll be shocked to see how thin the metal is on the propshafts. We are only talking about 2 or 3mm thick. Mine snapped at the diff joint so I wouldn't really bother with a bespoke one.

skyguy · 01-20-2013, 10:12 AM

Idnan, do you have any more details on the driveshaft length yet? Been looking for the length of the modified shaft from center bearing to the transmission, flexdisk-face. Should be something like 670mm...

Thanks,
Sky

Nigelo · 01-20-2013, 10:55 AM

/\ Definitely interested in this!

My wife had been persuaded to pay for my driveshaft work for my birthday last week and Im sure she'll 'forget' our arrangement if I dont get my skates on! lol

On a positive note, I had bought by subframe before Christmas with minimal info. I realised id never actually checked the fd ratio of the M3 diff...... phew, fd of 3.15.

N111CUK · 01-22-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

/\ Definitely interested in this!

My wife had been persuaded to pay for my driveshaft work for my birthday last week and Im sure she'll 'forget' our arrangement if I dont get my skates on! lol

On a positive note, I had bought by subframe before Christmas with minimal info. I realised id never actually checked the fd ratio of the M3 diff...... phew, fd of 3.15.

Hi Nigelo

I have now bought all my parts for this M3 transplant and in the deal ended up with 2 M3 prop shafts. If i pull off the cuts first time i'll have an M3 prop for sale

Nigelo · 01-23-2013, 12:04 PM

Hey, thanks for the offer - though its happens I already have 2 driveshafts as well! (the M3 dct one and e38 v8 one that fits the M3 diff)

You could do me a huge favour and measure the length when you get the driveshaft done and are happy with it. Although you have an auto 335i and I've a manual, I can use the difference in length from realOEM between the auto and manual 335i shafts to work out the length I need to make mine! (assuming the diff is the same size in both auto and manual 335i???)

11-06-2010, 10:09 PM	#24
mycoupe Banned 55 Rep 1,495 Posts Drives: 07 335i coupe 6spd Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cincinnati, Ohio iTrader: (5)	everything is do able if you have the time and money
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11-07-2010, 12:26 AM	#26
marv85 Colonel 70 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (7)	Oh and did you run into any issues so far with your M3 diff?
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11-07-2010, 08:31 AM	#29
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	none taken. I can do a lot of work myselft, but this project is definately beyond my capabilities.
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11-09-2010, 04:31 AM	#32
apkraven Ukrainian tuner 40 Rep 127 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ukraine iTrader: (2)	hey George, does it affect the dsc and traction systems on AT?
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01-18-2013, 11:58 AM	#37
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	The M3 prop is much stronger than the 335i one so you could use that as your propshaft basis rather than the cost of a completely new one?
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01-18-2013, 09:26 PM	#38
chesney72 First Lieutenant 23 Rep 386 Posts Drives: JB4 G5 335i Sport Touring Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Scotland iTrader: (1)	LOL forgot I started this thread. Ended up taking easy Quaife option but best of luck to you guys, sounds great.
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01-19-2013, 04:26 PM	#39
idnan Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,518 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (9)	The only 'issues' with using a full m3 rear subframe is that the brakes are larger which affect bias and you have to swap to m3 rear shocks. Both of these are an upgrade over the 335i parts so won't be a problem. However I do suggest upgrading the front brakes to avoid bias issues as I told you. Talking about props, you'll be shocked to see how thin the metal is on the propshafts. We are only talking about 2 or 3mm thick. Mine snapped at the diff joint so I wouldn't really bother with a bespoke one.
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01-20-2013, 10:12 AM	#40
skyguy Private 2 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2007 e90 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Idnan, do you have any more details on the driveshaft length yet? Been looking for the length of the modified shaft from center bearing to the transmission, flexdisk-face. Should be something like 670mm... Thanks, Sky
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01-20-2013, 10:55 AM	#41
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	/\ Definitely interested in this! My wife had been persuaded to pay for my driveshaft work for my birthday last week and Im sure she'll 'forget' our arrangement if I dont get my skates on! lol On a positive note, I had bought by subframe before Christmas with minimal info. I realised id never actually checked the fd ratio of the M3 diff...... phew, fd of 3.15.
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01-23-2013, 12:04 PM	#43
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Hey, thanks for the offer - though its happens I already have 2 driveshafts as well! (the M3 dct one and e38 v8 one that fits the M3 diff) You could do me a huge favour and measure the length when you get the driveshaft done and are happy with it. Although you have an auto 335i and I've a manual, I can use the difference in length from realOEM between the auto and manual 335i shafts to work out the length I need to make mine! (assuming the diff is the same size in both auto and manual 335i???)
	Appreciate 0 Quote