'08 323i Diff swap to 328i diff swap, driveshaft issues

Junkrod323 · 11-21-2021, 10:37 PM

Hey all,

I've got a 2008 323i with manual transmission. The differential in it has gone bad so I have swapped it with one from a 328i automatic. Better gear ratio, bigger and (hopefully) stronger, and way cheaper to buy used than a 323i specific diff. (For those that are unaware, the 323i is a Canadian market special).

Here is my issue. I have the differential and the matching axle shafts from the 328i installed. I cannot get a driveshaft to fit. #26107572907 is what I believe to be the correct driveshaft number to fit (from a 328i RWD manual car). However, it doesn't. It's a bit too short. About an inch short of seating in the transmission flange. Are these things adjustable? What am I missing here? 323i driveshaft is too long (323i has the differential flange sitting farther back because it is a physically smaller differential). 328i automatic driveshaft is way too short given that the automatic transmissions are longer than the manuals.

Using realOEM, both 323i and 328i share the same 6-speed transmission. Thus, the distance between the transmission and differential should be exactly that of a regular 328i car... except I can't get it to work. Losing my mind over this.

Junkrod323 · 11-21-2021, 11:06 PM

And last thing to add, as I understand it N52 2.5 and 3.0 engines have the same dimensions. So with the same engine dimensions & transmission, the distance between the transmission flange and differential flange should be just like a regular 328i manual RWD car...

cheerio · 11-22-2021, 09:43 AM

They have a slip joint near the centre support. Give it a good yank and you should be able to extend it by a little.

Junkrod323 · 11-22-2021, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerio

They have a slip joint near the centre support. Give it a good yank and you should be able to extend it by a little.

This worked out perfect. Thanks.
Swap worked out great. 328i diff, axle shafts and driveshaft (manual) all mate perfectly in a 323i.

Maple_323i · 02-10-2023, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkrod323

This worked out perfect. Thanks.
Swap worked out great. 328i diff, axle shafts and driveshaft (manual) all mate perfectly in a 323i.

Hello, thanks for the solution! I have the same problem, and am in the middle of sourcing parts. Have you had any issues, over one year later?

11-21-2021, 10:37 PM	#1
Junkrod323 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 08 323i Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	'08 323i Diff swap to 328i diff swap, driveshaft issues Hey all, I've got a 2008 323i with manual transmission. The differential in it has gone bad so I have swapped it with one from a 328i automatic. Better gear ratio, bigger and (hopefully) stronger, and way cheaper to buy used than a 323i specific diff. (For those that are unaware, the 323i is a Canadian market special). Here is my issue. I have the differential and the matching axle shafts from the 328i installed. I cannot get a driveshaft to fit. #26107572907 is what I believe to be the correct driveshaft number to fit (from a 328i RWD manual car). However, it doesn't. It's a bit too short. About an inch short of seating in the transmission flange. Are these things adjustable? What am I missing here? 323i driveshaft is too long (323i has the differential flange sitting farther back because it is a physically smaller differential). 328i automatic driveshaft is way too short given that the automatic transmissions are longer than the manuals. Using realOEM, both 323i and 328i share the same 6-speed transmission. Thus, the distance between the transmission and differential should be exactly that of a regular 328i car... except I can't get it to work. Losing my mind over this.
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11-22-2021, 09:43 AM	#3
cheerio Private First Class 144 Rep 149 Posts Drives: E61 + E36 + E90 scrapheap Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	They have a slip joint near the centre support. Give it a good yank and you should be able to extend it by a little.
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11-21-2021, 11:06 PM	#2
Junkrod323 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 08 323i Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	And last thing to add, as I understand it N52 2.5 and 3.0 engines have the same dimensions. So with the same engine dimensions & transmission, the distance between the transmission flange and differential flange should be just like a regular 328i manual RWD car...
	Appreciate 0 Quote