Australian supplier for LSD diffs for a DCT car

Jim621 · 06-19-2015, 08:59 PM

Hey Australian folks,

Does anyone know of an Australian supplier that sells and modifies stock diffs to install an LSD for a dual clutch transmission car (2.56 ratio with welded crownwheel)?
thanks, Steve.

DR-JEKL · 06-20-2015, 01:54 AM

I believe advan can organise this service

http://www.advanperformanceeuro.com.au/

Jim621 · 06-20-2015, 02:20 AM

Thanks Dr-Jekl - ive sent them an email to confirm.

DR-JEKL · 06-20-2015, 03:18 AM

If they dont reply to your email, give them a call

imske3000 · 06-20-2015, 05:44 AM

I have a 6MT with an LSD, I had to get mine machined somewhere else but Advan did the install

Jim621 · 06-20-2015, 06:37 AM

thanks Imske3000.
Whats involved in the machining? Where did you get the details on what needed machining? do you just remove the weld? or clean up the face of the crownwheel? or take material off the crownwheel.
I assume the crownwheel steel is quite hard, so the drilling and tapping could be a PITA.

What shop did you get the machining done?

Ive rebuilt diff's before, so would be comfortable putting parts together myself - just the modifications are out of my league (don't have a lathe or mill)

cheers, Steve

DR-JEKL · 06-20-2015, 07:52 AM

BMW went from a bolted diff to a welded diff purely as it was a cheaper method to manufacture.

So when upgrading, you need to remove the ring gear from the carrier by machining the weld. Once thats done and the ring gear is separated you have to machine the ring gear and drill and tap it.

Obviously not with a hand drill, but in a CNC machine centre ideally (precision!)

imske3000 · 06-20-2015, 08:51 AM

Give the guys at Craft Differential in Holroyd a call. You will also need to replace all the diff seals and dust covers, you can get them at ECS.

This is a link to how it's done, it is a very precise procedure, the guy was telling me he has 1-2 micrometers of play

http://www.vacmotorsports.com/blog/v...-how-we-do-it/

Jim621 · 06-20-2015, 05:14 PM

Thanks guys - yeah I've seen that article before so I know roughly what's involved.

My thought was how much material needs to be milled of the crownwheel, what's the bolt diameter and thread pitch? etc etc. Where does one find this information? Is it provided with the sale of the LSD?
I presume this sort of thing would be a trade secret.
thanks, Steve

DR-JEKL · 06-20-2015, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim621

Thanks guys - yeah I've seen that article before so I know roughly what's involved.

My thought was how much material needs to be milled of the crownwheel, what's the bolt diameter and thread pitch? etc etc. Where does one find this information? Is it provided with the sale of the LSD?
I presume this sort of thing would be a trade secret.
thanks, Steve

The diff supplier should provide a drawing with dimensions? As for the thread size and pcd once again do the bolts come with the 'welded' diff centre?

Jim621 · 06-20-2015, 06:22 PM

Ive emailed ECS tuning to ask if the diff comes with a dimensions drawing.

According to the Wavetrac website the bolts are supplied with the fitting kit (a $600USD extra) http://www.wavetrac.net/application_bmw335.htm

PeteA · 06-20-2015, 06:51 PM

_Ryan_ · 06-20-2015, 07:30 PM

SoutherBM stock Quaife.

Another option is a 1M/M3 diff swap. Cost around the same too.

Jim621 · 06-20-2015, 08:36 PM

Awesome, thanks for the video PeteA.

SouthernBM it is! Email sent..

Griffster · 06-20-2015, 08:37 PM

Mfactory also sell brand new final drive sets for 135/335 which includes a new bolt-up ring gear and pinion. Buying a new gearset seems to be cheaper than the cost of machining your welded gear.

Unfortunately they only fit US spec 6MT cars for the 135i - they say the EU and AU cars have a different driveshaft flange. They claim it should work for the 6MT if we change the driveshaft flange to a 335i flange, but I can't get anyone knowledgeable locally to confirm that. If I could, it could halve the price of an LSD for a 6MT.

It may be different for the DCT - i'd suggest contacting them.

imske3000 · 06-20-2015, 09:01 PM

I was where Griffster was in my research and nobody could confirm it so I got it machined. If you can find someone to confirm you will save over $1000.

I have the Mfactory helical, the guys who did mine have done quite a few Mfactory diffs for BMWs and had a template they created so that was a little more piece of mind.

_Ryan_ · 06-21-2015, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim621

Awesome, thanks for the video PeteA.

SouthernBM it is! Email sent..

They do great work, fitted mine. @PeteA also is a fan from memory.

Griffster · 06-21-2015, 07:49 PM

Southern do great work. Just the $4.5k pill for an LSD is a big pill to swallow.

Nugget · 06-21-2015, 10:55 PM

I bought the whole pumpkin with the LSD already installed from the US.
Shipping wasn't cheap but it meant I didn't have to find someone local to do the machining.

_Ryan_ · 06-21-2015, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griffster

Southern do great work. Just the $4.5k pill for an LSD is a big pill to swallow.

Yeah, in hindsight a 1M/M3 diff setup would have been better value.

Jim621 · 06-22-2015, 12:12 AM

Hi Nugget,

What brand/type of LSD did you buy?

And what was the price shipped (USD)? Obviously the sub 80 cent exchange rate is going to hurt.

thanks, Steve

Nugget · 06-22-2015, 12:25 AM

I have a Wavetrac.
A shop in california sourced a second hand low mileage DCT diff, did all the machining and installed the LSD, then shipped the whole thing over.
Took a couple of months and was around $3500 (including shipping) back in 2013.

I think Mfactory will do the same thing for slightly cheaper, they are a vendor here so it's worth asking them.

06-19-2015, 08:59 PM	#1
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Australian supplier for LSD diffs for a DCT car Hey Australian folks, Does anyone know of an Australian supplier that sells and modifies stock diffs to install an LSD for a dual clutch transmission car (2.56 ratio with welded crownwheel)? thanks, Steve.
	Appreciate 1 Tweet Quote

06-20-2015, 01:54 AM	#2
DR-JEKL Major General 898 Rep 6,285 Posts Drives: Space Grey E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Newcastle Ozstraylia iTrader: (3)	I believe advan can organise this service http://www.advanperformanceeuro.com.au/
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06-20-2015, 02:20 AM	#3
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Thanks Dr-Jekl - ive sent them an email to confirm.
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06-20-2015, 03:18 AM	#4
DR-JEKL Major General 898 Rep 6,285 Posts Drives: Space Grey E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Newcastle Ozstraylia iTrader: (3)	If they dont reply to your email, give them a call
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06-20-2015, 05:44 AM	#5
imske3000 Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 228 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sydney iTrader: (1)	I have a 6MT with an LSD, I had to get mine machined somewhere else but Advan did the install
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 06:37 AM	#6
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	thanks Imske3000. Whats involved in the machining? Where did you get the details on what needed machining? do you just remove the weld? or clean up the face of the crownwheel? or take material off the crownwheel. I assume the crownwheel steel is quite hard, so the drilling and tapping could be a PITA. What shop did you get the machining done? Ive rebuilt diff's before, so would be comfortable putting parts together myself - just the modifications are out of my league (don't have a lathe or mill) cheers, Steve
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 07:52 AM	#7
DR-JEKL Major General 898 Rep 6,285 Posts Drives: Space Grey E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Newcastle Ozstraylia iTrader: (3)	BMW went from a bolted diff to a welded diff purely as it was a cheaper method to manufacture. So when upgrading, you need to remove the ring gear from the carrier by machining the weld. Once thats done and the ring gear is separated you have to machine the ring gear and drill and tap it. Obviously not with a hand drill, but in a CNC machine centre ideally (precision!)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 08:51 AM	#8
imske3000 Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 228 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sydney iTrader: (1)	Give the guys at Craft Differential in Holroyd a call. You will also need to replace all the diff seals and dust covers, you can get them at ECS. This is a link to how it's done, it is a very precise procedure, the guy was telling me he has 1-2 micrometers of play http://www.vacmotorsports.com/blog/v...-how-we-do-it/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 05:14 PM	#9
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys - yeah I've seen that article before so I know roughly what's involved. My thought was how much material needs to be milled of the crownwheel, what's the bolt diameter and thread pitch? etc etc. Where does one find this information? Is it provided with the sale of the LSD? I presume this sort of thing would be a trade secret. thanks, Steve
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 06:22 PM	#11
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Ive emailed ECS tuning to ask if the diff comes with a dimensions drawing. According to the Wavetrac website the bolts are supplied with the fitting kit (a $600USD extra) http://www.wavetrac.net/application_bmw335.htm
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 06:51 PM	#12
PeteA Major 127 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: E30, E82 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (3)
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06-20-2015, 07:30 PM	#13
_Ryan_ Captain 59 Rep 741 Posts Drives: E87 130i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne, AU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW 130i [5.24]	SoutherBM stock Quaife. Another option is a 1M/M3 diff swap. Cost around the same too.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 08:36 PM	#14
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Awesome, thanks for the video PeteA. SouthernBM it is! Email sent..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 08:37 PM	#15
Griffster Private 13 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Mfactory also sell brand new final drive sets for 135/335 which includes a new bolt-up ring gear and pinion. Buying a new gearset seems to be cheaper than the cost of machining your welded gear. Unfortunately they only fit US spec 6MT cars for the 135i - they say the EU and AU cars have a different driveshaft flange. They claim it should work for the 6MT if we change the driveshaft flange to a 335i flange, but I can't get anyone knowledgeable locally to confirm that. If I could, it could halve the price of an LSD for a 6MT. It may be different for the DCT - i'd suggest contacting them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2015, 09:01 PM	#16
imske3000 Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 228 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sydney iTrader: (1)	I was where Griffster was in my research and nobody could confirm it so I got it machined. If you can find someone to confirm you will save over $1000. I have the Mfactory helical, the guys who did mine have done quite a few Mfactory diffs for BMWs and had a template they created so that was a little more piece of mind.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2015, 07:49 PM	#18
Griffster Private 13 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Southern do great work. Just the $4.5k pill for an LSD is a big pill to swallow.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2015, 10:55 PM	#19
Nugget Colonel 650 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: G81 M3 Touring, GR Supra GTS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perth iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [10.00]	I bought the whole pumpkin with the LSD already installed from the US. Shipping wasn't cheap but it meant I didn't have to find someone local to do the machining.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-22-2015, 12:12 AM	#21
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Hi Nugget, What brand/type of LSD did you buy? And what was the price shipped (USD)? Obviously the sub 80 cent exchange rate is going to hurt. thanks, Steve
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-22-2015, 12:25 AM	#22
Nugget Colonel 650 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: G81 M3 Touring, GR Supra GTS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perth iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [10.00]	I have a Wavetrac. A shop in california sourced a second hand low mileage DCT diff, did all the machining and installed the LSD, then shipped the whole thing over. Took a couple of months and was around $3500 (including shipping) back in 2013. I think Mfactory will do the same thing for slightly cheaper, they are a vendor here so it's worth asking them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote