[b-drizzle]

Hi everyone,

wanted your help in sourcing the parts for a MFacotry LSD, a 330i Automatic gearing (3.64) into a 330i manual car.

ZentRose on YouTube did a guide on how to install a Wavetrac LSD along 330i Auto gearing on a manual 330i.

Not sure if MF-TRS-05E46A or MF-TRS-05E46 is the LSD I need.

Also, not sure if this Differential Rebuild Kit is something I should also get.

Been wanting to "wake up" my 06 330i with an LSD and some gearing and just want to consider my options and am in the learning phase of the process, any input would be great.

[hassmaschine]

Man, am I the only one who doesnt "get" super short gearing with the 330i?

Coming from a car with 4.10s - the stock 330i gearing is perfect IMO. It has enough torque that downshifting to pass is unnecessary, but can still hit 65mph in 2nd gear in a hurry (under 6 seconds). If you want to wake it up - shorter gearing is that last place I'd look personally, although LSD is one thing I would appreciate.

[Biginboca]

I don’t feel 3.64 is super short gearing. I’m running 3.73 rear end and it feels perfect, not short. I can also get over 60mph in second.

You should drive one that has had the swap, I bet you would feel differently. (*I have a 328 I assume the 330 has the same transmission gearing I do?)

[atmosphericM]

I can't comment on the 330i, but my 328i has pretty long gearing from the factory IMO. I mean, the car was definitely designed for the average commuter, not the super-spirited driver. And if that's what you use your car for, then the gearing is probably perfect. But a lot of us are desperately trying to turn our naturally aspirated 3er into a bit more of a "sports car" heh.

I typically have it in 6th if I'm not accelerating from a stop, even if I'm only going 40 MPH; and if I'm not going about 60+ MPH, it is definitely pretty slow to overtake.. to the point that I barely try. I mean, I have to really give her some gas to overtake and it just makes the car seem super sluggish.

As to why one would look to shorter gearing sooner rather than later (later meaning the *last* "power" mod) - Probably because it's one of the cheapest damn things you can do to these cars outside of cutting out your charcoal filter lol.

OP, I have no idea what the differences would be between those two MFactory LSD's, however I would lean toward the one that is NOT "for manual transmissions only," as the pumpkin that the differential will be inside of will be from an automatic transmission car. Wait, or will it? -- To be clear, are you planning on sourcing an Auto car pumpkin with the higher final drive ratio? Or are you going to swap a new final drive into your existing MT car pumpkin? That distinction may be what determines which differential you would need.
Also, since you're in the learning phase.. do a lot of research on this site about MFactory and also look into Diffsonline.

[hassmaschine]

Well, keep in mind the 328i got a nerfed factory tune and no 3-stage - the longer gearing probably doesn't help there.

[atmosphericM]

Yeah plus I'm N51 so I need every bit of help I can get lol

[b-drizzle]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

OP, I have no idea what the differences would be between those two MFactory LSD's, however I would lean toward the one that is NOT "for manual transmissions only," as the pumpkin that the differential will be inside of will be from an automatic transmission car. Wait, or will it? -- To be clear, are you planning on sourcing an Auto car pumpkin with the higher final drive ratio? Or are you going to swap a new final drive into your existing MT car pumpkin? That distinction may be what determines which differential you would need.
Also, since you're in the learning phase.. do a lot of research on this site about MFactory and also look into Diffsonline.

So yea in the end I will end up with two diffs... the current one, in a 330i MT will stay untouched and in storage once removed. Not opening it, just stashing it.

The one I will source, a pumpkin from a 330i Automatic will get cracked open, the stock diff will be removed, and replaced with a LSD from either Wavetrac or MFacotry along with the gearing that is in that pumpkin. Then bolted on the 330i MT car. It is exactly what ZentRose did on YouTube.

[ktm137]

Sigh - this is my plan as well.

I have a 3.64 AT pumpkin with an MFactory LSD installed sitting on a shelf in the garage. It's been there for a year+ waiting on me.

As with you, I'll keep the original pumpkin either as a backup or to put back in later.

In my case, I ordered the 330i AT pumpkin from a dismantler on car-part and had them ship it to MFactory. MFactory did the LSD install and shipped the complete unit to me.

I have new bolts, mount bushings and oil. Just need to focus and find time!

Kevin M.
'06 MTX 330i

Originally Posted by b-drizzle

So yea in the end I will end up with two diffs... the current one, in a 330i MT will stay untouched and in storage once removed. Not opening it, just stashing it.

The one I will source, a pumpkin from a 330i Automatic will get cracked open, the stock diff will be removed, and replaced with a LSD from either Wavetrac or MFacotry along with the gearing that is in that pumpkin. Then bolted on the 330i MT car. It is exactly what ZentRose did on YouTube.

[b-drizzle]

Originally Posted by ktm137

Sigh - this is my plan as well.

I have a 3.64 AT pumpkin with an MFactory LSD installed sitting on a shelf in the garage.

Dude..

[b-drizzle]

It has begun!

Recently got:

- Junkyard Pumpkin
- MF-TRS-05E46A MFactory Helical LSD
- Differential Shim Kit
- Differential Ring Gear Bolts
- New Differential Cover
- Output Flange Seals
- RTV, Fluid

[6ixSpd]

I had a 3.62 in my E46 330Ci 6MT. Stock was 2.97. The difference was incredible, the car felt like it had a mini supercharger lol. The ratios are the same to our N/A 6MT E90s, the added performance was huge. The only downside was a hit of approximately 25mi lost in range per tank. BMW put a taller final drive in the 330i vs. 328i, I suppose to offset the slower 328 engine setup.

You'd be going from 3.15 to a 3.64 which should be lots of fun and useful, pretty much exactly what I had in my E46 with no regrets.

[BalkanAvenger]

Is there an affordable solution for an LSD swap in the E90? The Qualfe (sp?) unit is something like 1200+$

[hassmaschine]

Nope. BMW went soft years ago and stopped making LSDs for anything but M cars.

[b-drizzle]

Originally Posted by BalkanAvenger

Is there an affordable solution for an LSD swap in the E90? The Qualfe (sp?) unit is something like 1200+$

Which part of the Balkans are you from?


Yea, cost was a big factor for this mod, but I really wanted it. So far with the stuff I've gotten I am up to $1200. Still have to pay my mechanic to put it all together and swap the stock diff with this one. So unfortunately there is no cost effective option for us.

[BalkanAvenger]

Yugoslavia.

[b-drizzle]

Originally Posted by BalkanAvenger

Yugoslavia.