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Differential mods for 545i / 550i

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Old 06-08-2006, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Znod' post='294691' date='Jun 8 2006, 02:38 PM
You probably are right about at least the M5's and M6's. I scanned 4 articles featuring the M5 or the M6. I finally found one that indicated, in its summary, that the M6 has an LSD. I could find no references to an LSD on either car in the article bodies during my quick scanning--but my quick scanning was, indeed, a quick scanning. I was thinking that both Realtyman and Ipse Dixit frequently bemoan the M5's lack of an LSD.
Both the M5 and M6 have the BMW M Variable Differential Lock, which is BMW's version of an LSD. Not a true LSD, but does essentially the same thing.

Cheers.
Old 06-08-2006, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by ipse dixit' post='294711' date='Jun 8 2006, 05:01 PM
Both the M5 and M6 have the BMW M Variable Differential Lock, which is BMW's version of an LSD. Not a true LSD, but does essentially the same thing.

Cheers.
My God!!!! He's still alive. Howdy, friend.
Old 06-08-2006, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ipse dixit' post='294711' date='Jun 9 2006, 01:01 AM
Both the M5 and M6 have the BMW M Variable Differential Lock, which is BMW's version of an LSD. Not a true LSD, but does essentially the same thing.

Cheers.
Please elaborate this a little more. Differences..?
Old 06-08-2006, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Znod' post='294735' date='Jun 8 2006, 03:33 PM
My God!!!! He's still alive. Howdy, friend.
Greetings to you as well!
Old 06-08-2006, 03:00 PM
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I just sent emails to Newport BMW and Crevier BMW. I'm hoping that at least one will be able to order the part for me.

Hollywood, forget the Dinan differential and go with the OEM M5 differential. And, it's limited slip.
Old 06-08-2006, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by jiio' post='294751' date='Jun 8 2006, 04:00 PM
I just sent emails to Newport BMW and Crevier BMW. I'm hoping that at least one will be able to order the part for me.

Hollywood, forget the Dinan differential and go with the OEM M5 differential. And, it's limited slip.
You think this would be ok on our cars?
Old 06-08-2006, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by hollywoodtrash' post='294765' date='Jun 8 2006, 04:14 PM
You think this would be ok on our cars?
I don't see why not. It's the holy grail: LSD. I'm thinking it's just a swap of differentials. Can anyone verify? Ipse dixit, Znod, UUronL, pennetta?
Old 06-09-2006, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by jiio' post='294771' date='Jun 8 2006, 04:18 PM
I don't see why not. It's the holy grail: LSD. I'm thinking it's just a swap of differentials. Can anyone verify? Ipse dixit, Znod, UUronL, pennetta?
I would definitely choose the M5 rear differential over Dinan or Koala Motorsports IF the M5 diff is compatible with the 545i. The M5 has a 7-speed sequential shift gearbox, so I'm curious to know how that effects the compatiblity of the M5 diff to our cars. Koala Motorsports also have custom LSD's for our cars but it's much more expensive ($3,000 plus). If anyone finds out about the M5 diff, please let me know. I'm very very interested.
Old 06-09-2006, 01:14 PM
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Hmmm, using Znod's calculation from an earlier post...

BMWUSA web site says the final ratio for the M5 w/ SMG is 3.62, while for the 550i with manual/SMG the final ratio is 2.93. This would yield a torque increase of 23.5% (if I got the calculation correct) - a very big difference, to be sure. Will that create a problem of having to rev the engine to high (I'm not familiar with the V8, only my I6...)?

For the automatic transmission, the final ratio for the 550i is 3.38, which would give a 7% increase in torque with the M5 diff... maybe that is not very much for the price you would pay...

Anyway, have fun!
Old 06-09-2006, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jmdhuse' post='295293' date='Jun 10 2006, 12:14 AM
Hmmm, using Znod's calculation from an earlier post...

BMWUSA web site says the final ratio for the M5 w/ SMG is 3.62, while for the 550i with manual/SMG the final ratio is 2.93. This would yield a torque increase of 23.5% (if I got the calculation correct) - a very big difference, to be sure. Will that create a problem of having to rev the engine to high (I'm not familiar with the V8, only my I6...)?

For the automatic transmission, the final ratio for the 550i is 3.38, which would give a 7% increase in torque with the M5 diff... maybe that is not very much for the price you would pay...

Anyway, have fun!
yeah but i wouldn't care too much for torque or hp numbers, only about the ability for both rear wheels to work properly into harmony during hard cornering or drifting. IMO the biggest advantage is grip....not torque or hp.


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