Small Case to Medium Case Conversion Driveshafts.

RobSimsy33

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Aug 13, 2024
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Hi, I'm currently restoring and engine swapping my 97' 1.9. I'm swapping the M52B28 Engine in from a donor Widebody Z3.

My question is that I'm attempting to use the rear diff from the 2.8 Widebody as it is a LSD however I've noticed that it is a slightly larger case compared to the 1.9 assuming that im going to need slightly smaller driveshafts in length but larger diameter at the differential end. Is there a work around for this?

I have read about E30 driveshaft however no clear cut conclusion.

Thanks in advance
 

Althulas

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British Zeds
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Jun 14, 2014
Points
198
Location
Banburyshire
Model of Z
M Roadster
Have a look on Realoem and put in the details for the 2.8 or if the diff has the original sticker on the case input the part number and then follow up In the relevant section (rear axel) and you should then find the drive shafts with the part numbers then your able to search for some secondhand shafts or new ones.
 

RobSimsy33

Newbie
Joined
Aug 13, 2024
Points
1
Have a look on Realoem and put in the details for the 2.8 or if the diff has the original sticker on the case input the part number and then follow up In the relevant section (rear axel) and you should then find the drive shafts with the part numbers then your able to search for some secondhand shafts or new ones.
Cheers mate, I know that the 2.8 shafts are bigger and have a wider tracking with the widebody trailing arms but I’m trying to use the medium case diff with the narrow body trailing arms so the shafts would need to be a wider diameter but shorter in length
 

Dino D

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British Zeds
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Mar 28, 2014
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176
Location
Kent
Model of Z
2.8 Manual
I *think* the M shafts are this (shorter and thicker) but the M uses a different diff all together (clutch played diff, not torsen) so not sure if it’s a straight fit.

And the other issue of course is rarity / cost of M the shafts.

Possible to have a set of 2.8 shafts shortened?

Or if you have donor car just swap over the entire 2.8 backend and the rear fenders and sills..
 

Duncodin

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Sep 8, 2021
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Pontrhydyrun
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Z3 M44
. . .
. . .
Or if you have donor car just swap over the entire 2.8 backend and the rear fenders and sills..
I like the sound of this. I just love the look of the wide body pre facelift.

But is it an easy engine swap? All the engine management. Coding etc. And then the insurance. They'll kick the ar*e out of the premiums for such a mod. Much more expensive to insure a transpant recipient than it would have been to insure the donor.
 

RobSimsy33

Newbie
Joined
Aug 13, 2024
Points
1
I *think* the M shafts are this (shorter and thicker) but the M uses a different diff all together (clutch played diff, not torsen) so not sure if it’s a straight fit.

And the other issue of course is rarity / cost of M the shafts.

Possible to have a set of 2.8 shafts shortened?

Or if you have donor car just swap over the entire 2.8 backend and the rear fenders and sills..
i have the donor car however unsure if trailing arms are salvageable hence the question on using 1.9 trailing arms. rear arches are also rotten. If I can use the full 2.8 rear axle how much do you think will it protrude the narrow body arches?
 
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