Installed differential support kit...great results!

willow1308 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 08:26 AM

Hey gents...I installed the updated differential kit I purchased from
www.activeautowerke.com. This kit reinforces the front of your BMW E36 differential, which is held in place with a single 12mm or 14mm bolt. The kit took about an hour to install...very easy...with good instructions supplied! The results are amazing!!!! NO MORE DIFF. FLEX DURING ACCELERATION...THE ADDITIONAL TRACTION IS AMAZING.

I think this is must have for every Backdraft Cobra owner...the more power your engine produces...the more important this kit becomes! With shipping the kit only costs approximately $230.00. (for more information on this kit go to www.aatuning.com/drivetrain/main.php and www.aatuning.com/faq/AA%20Tuning-DSB.pdf )
With best regards,
Randy
BDR #98

Sledge · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 04:29 PM

Oh great! I just get the longer wheel studs installed, and a driveshaft loop, and now YOU bring up something else I should probably buy and install.

Per Col. Kurtz--"the horror, the horror"

Cheers

willow1308 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 09:39 PM

Bill...as I continue to update my Backdraft #98...my wife has made an observation...the more I improve and modify my BDR...the lower the balance in my checkbook..but still more fun than playing the lottery or sitting at a blackjack table!

And I thought my house was a money pit!
With best regards,
Randy
BDR #98

Rwillia4 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2007, 11:59 PM

Randy,

Can you give some more details as to what was happening without the brace? I haven't noticed any problems with getting traction to the ground or more specifically lack of traction due to the diff shifting. I would love an upgrade to a problem, I just don't know if I have a problem...

JayBar · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 05:04 AM

I have never noticed differential flex, but I have broken "the bolt". That was when I installed a 3.91 differential behind 436 RWHP on the track. The answer from Reg was to drill out the threads in the differential and install a grade 8 nut and bolt. Cost maybe $.075. And if you ever do brake the bolt it is a simple matter to replace it since there is no drilling out required because of the nut arrangement.
This fix has lasted me two years and many open track events and a few runs on the drag strip. When that modification was done I changed the ratio to 3.73 with three clutch packs. Lots of torque, with slicks to boot.

The brace looks great easy to install but I question its necessity in a BDR, when the bolt trick will work. Remember the E-36 BMW is a lot heaver.

Dinobyte · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 06:10 PM

I have broken the "big Bolt", and think this is essential if you have 500+ HP and the same level of torque.

There is only ONE bolt holding the Diff from twisting up and down, and no matter how light your car, torque is still the same. I would like to see this or someother brace become standard fair on the BDR.