The e28, e36 compact & Z3 uses a similar case to the e30, and you can swap them all around relatively easily.

One thing you might want to look at for extra diff cooling is using the Z3 M coupe / M roadster backing plate on the diff as it has large cooling fins on it. See here...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1017244

The other medium case diffs like the e34, regular e36 etc. you need to swap the centers into the e30 case, so the e36 M3 diff is not a direct substitute for the e30.

To increase the amount of lock from 25%, I am pretty sure that you add extra clutches to the LSD, but you would need to look into this further. Metric Mechanic in the states offers you pretty much all the info about different BMW diffs you need. You are using the medium case 188mm...

http://www.metricmechanic.com/pdfs/me ... -differential-booklet.pdf

I have an e30 320i, and am about to swap my diff which is why I have been looking into this stuff.

Good Luck

Luke

Just to clarify for those not in the know... this is what the Z3M alloy diff cover looks like...

LukeADE thanks for the info.

Had a chat to a person this weekend that said the preload on these diffs will be to high for the UTE as it was designed for vehicles with some weight in the back, he reckons it will be like driving a locked diff, anyone able to shed some light around this kind of thing.

For anybody interested in a conversion like this, it looks to me that I was correct in my part sources so far by going the Ford Sierra Hub, carriers and cv shaft route.

Have a look here: http://www.locost.co.za/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1528

These little cars are light as hell, so I would not have any issues with preload.

Now thats k@k intresting! Seems like this is getting easier by the day!

I am also very interested in this E30 diff special. My brother has a SSS L20 turbo. We have already sourced 280z shafts. Now to see if these shafts will fit with the E30 diff.
They recommend Suburu LSD but they are very expensive here in South Africa and scarce as chicken teeth. Would like to know how this turns out racetech......

I think I found the socks that will work with this conversion. This will solve a lot of headaches about making rear coil overs.

I always thought these known brands is so expensive do not even bother about getting prices on it, but I was quite surprised.

R1295 ($197 AUD) for the shock and retainer then you need a spring @ R320 ($48 AUD) for one shock. Not that bad.

The plus about them is that they are height and damping rate adjustable.

If anybody know of other brands that will be cheaper or have some plans for building rear coil overs please share it.

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racetech, not to sound funny but have you ever actualy ran your pick up around a race track and had it timed? reason I ask is that it would be very nice to see a documented before and after effect from going from a live axel setup to a IRS especialy in such a light car...

Reason why I mention this is from seeing live vs IRS lotus 7's around scribante,

Rezlo no, the pick up's primary role is getting food at the shop that does not fit in my backpack when on the bike and driving Gymkhana.

Never really thought about it in that way, probably the reason for that being that we have a MK2 Escort build for the track.

I hear you, just would me a big pitty to do all that work to have it perform worse, the IRS lotus guys get slaughtered by the live axel guys, they always seem to have a battle keeping it under control.