e46 diff internals swap?

[Tom Cheesewright]

For my next EV-swap project I'm probably going to need a taller diff than the default (3.43? Whatever is in a 1.9 auto from Japan). Obviously there are the taller options from the 2.8/3.0, but they are like hen's teeth and super pricey. e46 diffs though are very cheap.

So, would e46 internals fit in a Z3 case? Or do I need to go back to the e30?

 

[Rudyrov]

I would like to find a way to slow my engine down as well. I don't need the acceleration and would rather find better mileage via lower engine revs. I have a 98 2.8 Z.
Not sure if those reasons appeal to your quest.

 

[Andybpowell]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=069lcT-MF7U&list=WL&index=42

 

[NZ00Z3]

The Z3 has 2 different sizes of diff:
- 168 small case on the 4 cylinder and small 6 cylinder Z3's
- 188 medium case on the larger 6 cylinder Z3's.

The E46 uses a 188 diff (different case, same size internals), so it should be possible to take the internals from an E46 diff and fit them to the 188 Z3 diff.

 

[Delk]

On an off note I have seen alot from the Racing Diff guys in Poland. Lots and lots of videos and good information. But just watching the other BMW forums they never get mentioned highly and the quality doesn't sound to be the best. Not sure if its true or not because its just second and third hand feedback I have heard.