Well, I have been seriously thinking about an e36 to learn to drive a rwd stick car on the track. Is there a way to tell if a 92-95 325 has an lsd in it besides crawling under and looking for the stamp. I’m pretty sure the winter package cars came with them. Can I tell by looking at the VIN? I found a perfect 98 328 locally that has the perfect mods; M50, S52 cams, bilsteins, springs, sways, tuner, exhaust, 3.15 LSD, but it’s more than I have right now. I’m thinking of finding an OBD1 car that already has an LSD since they are cheap and just doing suspension and a chip.
What other performance mods are worth the money, should I go to a bigger mass air sensor from a euro M3 or 540? What about a CAI or ebay headers? Not looking to make a ton of power since I have the cobra, so I don’t think I want to spend the time/money on cams, but I just want to know what is worth it for these cars. The 328 I want is 5500, so I realize I would be better off buying this car if I end spending more on modding a 325. I know the 2.8 and extra torque would be nice, but OBD1 is always friendlier. I kind of like the 325 idea since I will be far less tempted to search for power since I am the kind of person that starts with the best base when I want to make power, which the 325 is not.
Also, where is the best place to look for a new water pump and radiator for these cars. Odds are whatever I get will need these.
the “s” is a sport package. most late model e30s if not all had an option for lsd but the range in ratio is what you want to watch out for. the auto’s had 4.10 as did the m3 i believe. the 325i and 325is had 3.25 and the eta’s had 2.93 and 3.23 iirc. wiki has a decent chart on the year specific diff’s
Damn, I figured sport package meant LSD was standard, not still an option. I like e30’s, but I want something with a really good body which is hard to find in e30’s. The extra power, comfort, timing chain>timing belt, and the fact that you don’t need to set the lash for the lifters for e36’s is all VERY appealing to me.
sorry iirc the sport package does include an lsd I was just explaining that it is an entire package not just the dif lol
the m50 (e36) engine is more reliable and does have more power but the e36 also ways alot more then the e30. dropping an m50 into an e30 is a very common swap. I’m actually in the process of getting all the parts now.
tbh the one that is for sale by boosting4me is a pretty good deal considering body work is expected on these anyways.
I’m not really looking for a project though. And a clean m50 swapped e30 sells for a good chunk more than an m50 e36. I just want a cheap rwd stick car that I like driving everyday and can take to the track. And if I destroy the car, I only have $3k into it.
You’ll have to watch out what size LSD you get too. In E36s there were different diff sizes. A winter package could have a small diff in the early years, which you may or may not destroy. My e36 has a 3.15 small case diff from the factory.
Also, jack the rear of the car up and spin the tires to test for an LSD. If both wheels spin same way, you have an LSD. If the spin in opposing directions, open diff. The vin can be checked online too at realoem.com to see what packages it came with from the factory.
And the M50/M52 blocks take to boost pretty well. The internals are all forged, just grab a larger head gasket and piece together a turbo setup for some real track fun. In case you decide to build it up.
e36’s had only 1 size diff unless refering to 318’s and even then im not realy sure, only diff is the 4bolt or 6bolt m3. e30’s had a large case/small case diff. obviously the small case was weaker. m50 motors are NOT forged while the m52’s and s52’s are forged crank/rods with cast pistons. Many automatic early 325’s had the 3.91lsd and some had the 3.15lsd. Most winter package e36’s with traction control did NOT come with LSD.
The car will not be getting boosted. Just a 200hp track capable driver. I know none of the 328 came with LSD’s, but I thought 92-95 winter package cars did.
I was definitely thinking of checking if the wheels both turn the same way, probably quicker and safer than crawling under there with just a jack holding the car up. (not that it stops me anyways, I mean I drive a mustang what do you expect?)
Jeremy all E36 differentials are the same size except the 318. If the car doesn’t have LSD don’t worry about it, they are cheap to buy and easy to install. Plus Frost has a 3.15 sitting in his garage you could have.
I would really try for the 328, but you know me. Talk to FlatBlk?(eric) about 325s as track cars. He picked up a real cheap one that he is driving as a summer DD and a track car. He put a 3.91lsd in it.
If you aren’t going to mod it much why do you care about ODB1 vs ODB2? Just do coil overs, get some sticky rubber on good wheels and some upgraded brakes/sways.
You have a fast car, make one that handles good now! :lol:
Oh plus E36s will get you some good MPG, not 8 like the cobra.
Josh, I will totally buy that M3, how many miles on it? Gotta be up there. I guess I just liked the idea of grabbing a cheap 325 that already has an lsd and doing the most bang for my buck mods to get a trackable car. I just know if I get a 328 I’m gunna want to do an m50 mani and S52 cams and then I have a modded OBD2 daily, that will throw codes from time to time. Using a 3.91 doesn’t scare me at all, I was thinking it would probably do wonders for the car, but I will keep Matt’s 3.15 in mind if I find a 328 I want, or a 325 that doesn’t have LSD.
