Why not a medium case torsen from a late i6 Z3?
Why not a medium case torsen from a late i6 Z3?
I have never heard of BMW using a Viscous LSD either in anything other than the AWD cars. Why would a company like BMW put a clutch type into all the other E36s.. and a Viscous in the Z cars? It makes absolutely no sense from an engineering or financial stand point.. especially when you consider the Z3 uses the exact same suspension as the Ti
Some of the Z3's used Torsens:
Why not add an aftermarket LSD if you can't find one?
Do you really car about how competitive you are in autocross? If so the E36 probably isn't the car to have without cubic $$'s anyway. Why not build something that is fun?
If you really want to be as competitive as you can, why loose $1,500 on the trade 'up' to an E36 sedan? There has been a ton of work over the last decade on shock valving for cars that don't have an LSD to help traction. why not spend that $1,500 'lose' on some kick ass shocks?
Harvey wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: All E36 cars had an optional LSD. The M3 had it stock, and all is cars did too up until a specific year ('94?). It was optional on the ti too so ... go ahead and put one on it. What ratio do you need? IIRC the ti may have been 4.10 because it had the over-driven 5th? You can expect to pay about $400 for a used one in most ratios. The 3.73 costs a little more as they are desirable for specE30.I really don't think all the e36 cars had an optional LSD.
They all did. On some it was not part of a package but you could order it. My 97 328is had ASC and an LSD. It was dealer installed as part of the original order.
Regardless of order sheet semantics - I wouldn't want to suffer with in any E30/E36/E46 w/o one on a race track so it would be the very first thing I did. It is a simple diff swap and pretty cheap too. As far as a protest defense - it was optional so unless they are going to scrutinize the build sheet it's a no-brainer.
Some photos of the 1.9L Z3 LSD. Looks like a clutch pack.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:Harvey wrote:They all did. On some it was not part of a package but you could order it. My 97 328is had ASC and an LSD. It was dealer installed as part of the original order. Regardless of order sheet semantics - I wouldn't want to suffer with in any E30/E36/E46 w/o one on a race track so it would be the very first thing I did. It is a simple diff swap and pretty cheap too. As far as a protest defense - it was optional so unless they are going to scrutinize the build sheet it's a no-brainer.Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: All E36 cars had an optional LSD. The M3 had it stock, and all is cars did too up until a specific year ('94?). It was optional on the ti too so ... go ahead and put one on it. What ratio do you need? IIRC the ti may have been 4.10 because it had the over-driven 5th? You can expect to pay about $400 for a used one in most ratios. The 3.73 costs a little more as they are desirable for specE30.I really don't think all the e36 cars had an optional LSD.
Ah, I see. If it was a dealer installed option that's a bit different than a factory installed option and probably why you almost never see them.
Ah, it was a Torsen and not a viscous. I'm getting everything confused. Still, a Torsen isn't ideal compared to a clutch pack LSD for autocross.
I want a car that can do well in local classes, which would be NNJR, Philly and SJR SCCA. I keep looking at E36s since I'm familiar with them, but I'm really just looking for a $6k car after prep that can be in the top 25 PAX at my local events.
I'm still a little hesitant on dumping more money in my 318 since I like it but don't LOVE it. Spending $1500 on trick shocks isn't something I would do for it. Spending $300 on a differential is possible, but I worry I would still want to get rid of it after a while. In the back of my head, I still want a BMW inline 6 again or at least a car that is competitive in autocross for $6k.
The answer isn't a Miata since I want more than 2 seats in my car. 
MINIzguy wrote: Ah, it was a Torsen and not a viscous. I'm getting everything confused. Still, a Torsen isn't ideal compared to a clutch pack LSD for autocross.
Why not?As long as you keep both wheels on the ground a Torsen seems to be the ideal diff. The only issue is if the inside wheel looses contact with the ground then it acts like an open diff, but that's normally only an issue for off road rally and rallycross cars.
The Torsen was only the later non-M Z3s starting with the 2.8L coupe--i.e., medium type 188 cases.
I know Torsens are often liked for front axles. I'd be interested in trying one. As long as it bolts into the ring gear its is fine for STX. The welded/spool like used in the FSP 2002tii can work for autocrossing.
MINIzguy wrote: Ah, it was a Torsen and not a viscous. I'm getting everything confused. Still, a Torsen isn't ideal compared to a clutch pack LSD for autocross.
Nah, you realize Miatas have used torsen style differentials for almost their entire existence don't you? A lack of clutch packs hasn't seemed to slow them down any.
Alright, looks like everybody thinks it's smarter to keep my 318 and just get a LSD for it.
It looks like a Torsen isn't out of the question either if I can find one with a 3.45 ratio. I was worried about how they act when a wheel loses all traction, but you guys put out that concern. I'm also considering getting a 318is S3.45 differential and transplanting the internals into my case. I've got many months to search for one since the autox season is almost over.
From what I understand, the Torsens do not take well to sudden loss and recuperation of traction. I have a friend that went through two different Torsens by dropping a tire into the dirt/running off track. Thats probably another reason you dont see alot of Torsens in rally racing.
if you decide to get rid of the Ti.. let me know. I miss my old one but all the ones around here have questionable modifications
mad_machine wrote: if you decide to get rid of the Ti.. let me know. I miss my old one but all the ones around here have questionable modifications
Absolutely. If I recall, you're in NJ. My car is with me in St. Louis at school right now but it will be back in NJ May 2015. I've got a build thread on this forum too if you want to look over what has been done on the chassis too.
In reply to MINIzguy: If you haven't driven a 328i yet, I would highly suggest it. On the street, the power is very ordinary. On the auto-x course, it's good, but I don't have a great reference yet since I was only able to use average all-season tires. An E46 M3 or a boosted E36 M3 would have a lot of torque for the street.
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