Diff locking brace

AWSAWS · 11-16-2015, 10:48 AM

Well after having a good stint at Santa Pod and having my run reviewed by some experts I was advised to fit a differential locking brace due to the wheel hop they saw in my video.
I had always assumed that this was normal when on the edge of traction but apparently it's a killer for the drive shafts and suspension.

I've now fitted a locking kit and the back end feels nice and firm. I will have to get uprated bushes for the rest of my car because it feels more solid. I will eventually do the control arms, strut bars and maybe some coil overs as well.

Just have to wait for Santa Pod to reopen now. Just 76 days to go

I suppose it'll have to be on the road and daily driving testing for now.

mob17 · 11-16-2015, 01:25 PM

Nice work. This is something i'm thinking about doing as well.

But not sure if its worth it for cars less than 500bhp like mine?

AWSAWS · 11-16-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mob17

Nice work. This is something i'm thinking about doing as well.

But not sure if its worth it for cars less than 500bhp like mine?

I'd think for diesels it's even more essential with the torque. That's what's making it flex. Look at this on a lowly scooby (lowly vs the torque of a tuned 335D that is)

Depends if u feel the wheels moving I guess.

Hope to see some good improvement on my 60ft times! Thing is I don't have much faith in the rubber compound of the PSS tyres.

mob17 · 11-16-2015, 02:08 PM

Don't think i felt any wheel hop at santa pod or on the road, but i never brake boost a lot.

How much did you say they were again? I suppose theres no harm in having one.

AirAndre335i · 11-17-2015, 08:51 AM

Even worthwhile without wheel hop.

AirAndre335i · 11-17-2015, 08:54 AM

How about this one over the one you've got?

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27093

Phil325i · 11-17-2015, 01:25 PM

What's the effect on NVH of fitting one of these braces?

mob17 · 11-17-2015, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirAndre335i

Even worthwhile without wheel hop.

Thats what i was thinking. May be still worthwhile. I might wait until next year after i get my subframe bushes done.

AWSAWS · 11-17-2015, 04:25 PM

I haven't noticed any increased noise at all but mine is a single bushing with some very thin rubber between. It feels a bit firmer but I still need to do the other bushes I think.

On other forums the boost addicts brace does not seem as highly regarded. Plus some models don't have the necessary holes for mounting and have to be cut.

Phil325i · 11-17-2015, 06:23 PM

One thing I like about the OP's brace is that you can still change the diff fluid without removing the brace...

RajB · 11-19-2015, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

Well after having a good stint at Santa Pod and having my run reviewed by some experts I was advised to fit a differential locking brace due to the wheel hop they saw in my video.
I had always assumed that this was normal when on the edge of traction but apparently it's a killer for the drive shafts and suspension.

I've now fitted a locking kit and the back end feels nice and firm. I will have to get uprated bushes for the rest of my car because it feels more solid. I will eventually do the control arms, strut bars and maybe some coil overs as well.

Just have to wait for Santa Pod to reopen now. Just 76 days to go

I suppose it'll have to be on the road and daily driving testing for now.

Very good mod buddy. Look forward to the proper test results at Pod.

Which one did you get and how much was it?

AWSAWS · 11-20-2015, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RajB

Very good mod buddy. Look forward to the proper test results at Pod.

Which one did you get and how much was it?

Hi Mate,
I know a guy who makes them up himself. Can offer them for £160 to anyone interested, in all diff sizes.

It's very similar to a very expensive German design but has just the one aluminium bushing attaching the diff to the subframe, as u see in the pic above.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=799038

My install took 30 mins as it's not as complex.

AirAndre335i · 11-27-2015, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

On other forums the boost addicts brace does not seem as highly regarded. Plus some models don't have the necessary holes for mounting and have to be cut.

Why not mate?

I thought the whole point was to lockdown the diff to the subframe.

A bushing just still allows movement.

Don't get me wrong, the bushing makes absolute sense, but maybe that is also why you don't notice such a difference?

'just thinking out loud here'

11-16-2015, 10:48 AM	#1
AWSAWS Colonel 278 Rep 2,340 Posts Drives: E92 GC Turbos, FBO, 335i DCT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Valhalla iTrader: (0)	Diff locking brace Well after having a good stint at Santa Pod and having my run reviewed by some experts I was advised to fit a differential locking brace due to the wheel hop they saw in my video. I had always assumed that this was normal when on the edge of traction but apparently it's a killer for the drive shafts and suspension. I've now fitted a locking kit and the back end feels nice and firm. I will have to get uprated bushes for the rest of my car because it feels more solid. I will eventually do the control arms, strut bars and maybe some coil overs as well. Just have to wait for Santa Pod to reopen now. Just 76 days to go I suppose it'll have to be on the road and daily driving testing for now. __________________ GC Turbos, FBO, JB4, DCT, Port Meth injection, BMS Charge Pipe, NGK plugs. EBC brakes and pads, LED Angel lights, LED foglights, LCI rears OCC, Braided brake lines. Custom Diff Lockdown Kit, VTT inlets, TMAP, stage 2+ fuel pump 11.79@119mph (stock turbos) 11.74@129mph (GC Turbos) Last edited by AWSAWS; 11-16-2015 at 11:40 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-16-2015, 01:25 PM	#2
mob17 Major General 397 Rep 5,613 Posts Drives: E92 335D Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Midlands, UK iTrader: (5)	Nice work. This is something i'm thinking about doing as well. But not sure if its worth it for cars less than 500bhp like mine?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2015, 02:08 PM	#4
mob17 Major General 397 Rep 5,613 Posts Drives: E92 335D Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Midlands, UK iTrader: (5)	Don't think i felt any wheel hop at santa pod or on the road, but i never brake boost a lot. How much did you say they were again? I suppose theres no harm in having one.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2015, 08:51 AM	#5
AirAndre335i Second Lieutenant 41 Rep 234 Posts Drives: E92 335i Pre Lci Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Central London iTrader: (0)	Even worthwhile without wheel hop.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2015, 08:54 AM	#6
AirAndre335i Second Lieutenant 41 Rep 234 Posts Drives: E92 335i Pre Lci Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Central London iTrader: (0)	How about this one over the one you've got? http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27093
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2015, 01:25 PM	#7
Phil325i Brigadier General 639 Rep 3,219 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	What's the effect on NVH of fitting one of these braces? __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2015, 04:25 PM	#9
AWSAWS Colonel 278 Rep 2,340 Posts Drives: E92 GC Turbos, FBO, 335i DCT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Valhalla iTrader: (0)	I haven't noticed any increased noise at all but mine is a single bushing with some very thin rubber between. It feels a bit firmer but I still need to do the other bushes I think. On other forums the boost addicts brace does not seem as highly regarded. Plus some models don't have the necessary holes for mounting and have to be cut. __________________ GC Turbos, FBO, JB4, DCT, Port Meth injection, BMS Charge Pipe, NGK plugs. EBC brakes and pads, LED Angel lights, LED foglights, LCI rears OCC, Braided brake lines. Custom Diff Lockdown Kit, VTT inlets, TMAP, stage 2+ fuel pump 11.79@119mph (stock turbos) 11.74@129mph (GC Turbos)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2015, 06:23 PM	#10
Phil325i Brigadier General 639 Rep 3,219 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	One thing I like about the OP's brace is that you can still change the diff fluid without removing the brace... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
	Appreciate 0 Quote