[chrisk]

after all the discussion with people replacing their rear diff. i decided to do it. however, I'm not sure where to get one for a '00 323i.. or which gearing I should get.
(i did search, but nothing that really answered my questions)
can someone help me out?

thanks
Chris

 

[slow323ci]

Do you have a stick or a step?

If you have a stick, get a 3.46. If you have a step, you already have a 3.46 and are out of luck - that's the lowest gear ratio available from the factory for non-M cars.

Get if from a salvage yard, you'll have to find that on your own I think.

 

[pimpinCI]

I've tried getting one but ppl are over picing them. Some salvage yards want as much as $900!!!! The lowest I found was $770. Still too much in my opinion.
I am still not too thrilled about cruising at higher RPM's. I think it cruises too high as it is. Granted it's smooth I-6 but still. I think I might go with a ltw flywheel instead.
I have 1 month to decide.
good luck.

 

[slow323ci]

pimpinCI, I think you will be less satisfied with a ltw flywheel than you would be with a diff. The diff is the best performance upgrade you can do to a 5-speed 323 besides FI.

I've seen several 3.46 diffs for well under $500, and several ppl on these boards paid less than $300 from salvage yards.

 

[dboffa]

^^:werd:
Best performance mod you can do in terms of "bang for your buck."

 

[pimpinCI]

if you come accross any fro that price please let me know cause i am yet to find one. I am looking for a 3.38 though. 3.46 is a bit too aggressive.

thanks.

 

[Cuore_alfa]

The E36 328 have a 3.46 diff? i think i can get one of thoses

P.S. nice 323 Diff thread keep it up

 

[Cuore_alfa]

Before run to a backyard make sure to know what differential has your car, the ETK show 3 variants for my car:

l=42:13 = 3.23 # 33 10 7 503 230
l=44:13 = 3.38 # 33 10 7 503 245
l=45:13 = 3.46 # 33 10 1 428 344

 

[ilovebmw]

damn its a diff week at e46.com. How much faster would a 3.46 diff make a stick 330ci 0-60 and 1/4 mile faster by?

 

[chrisk]

ok, so if I have a '00 323 step.. do I already have a 3.46.. or are their other variations I might have also?

 

[pimpinCI]

You already have the 3.46 diff. Perhaps the Z4 has an application that fits your car.

 

[GarrettF]

damn its a diff week at e46.com. How much faster would a 3.46 diff make a stick 330ci 0-60 and 1/4 mile faster by?

according to the "cartest" program posted a few weaks ago the 0-60 time for a 330 with a 3.46 is increased significantly

stock the program says 15.2 at 94.8 0-60 6.6
with 3.46 it says 15.1 at 93 0-60 7.0

 

[crazy1323]

the 33oci with the 3.46 that you are referring to has a STEP.

 

[flashinthepan]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by ilovebmw
damn its a diff week at e46.com. How much faster would a 3.46 diff make a stick 330ci 0-60 and 1/4 mile faster by?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



according to the "cartest" program posted a few weaks ago the 0-60 time for a 330 with a 3.46 is increased significantly

stock the program says 15.2 at 94.8 0-60 6.6
with 3.46 it says 15.1 at 93 0-60 7.0

------------------

So the 3.46 made it slower than stock ????

 

[GarrettF]

thast what the software says

 

[akhbhaat]

thast what the software says

For 0-60, this is because the car has to shift before it hits 60 mph (unless you have software and 7000 rpm redline). Quarter mile times would be a much better indication, but the software also shows an increase there.

I personally think it's flawed and does a poor job of modeling tire spin and traction.

 

[babbit]

with all this differential talk, does anyone here have or plan to get a LSD for their car? rennsport has one for 1.6k. just wondering if there are any impression. is it worth the money?

 

[mbanks21]

Personally I think 3.46 is a little too much. If you want a 3.46 though check out TTT Auto Recycler, Inc. in Kennedale, TX or Dans Used Auto Parts, Inc. in Houston. Should be around $350-450

 

[flashinthepan]

Personally I think 3.46 is a little too much. If you want a 3.46 though check out TTT Auto Recycler, Inc. in Kennedale, TX or Dans Used Auto Parts, Inc. in Houston. Should be around $350-450

On the Manuals it makes 1st gear Really Really low, that is what worries me. I am thinking the 3.15 or 3.38 tops, but I am going to wait & see. :dunno:

 

[pimpinCI]

I think the best compromise is the 3.23 diff. They are not easy to find because they are from XI's. If you have a 323ci, going from a 3.07 to a 3.23 diff will make a nice difference IMO without making your gears too short.