Upgrades: differentials and limited slips!

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Going to shorter gears. Taller gears would be going from 3.90 to 3.36. Yes factory gear ratio is 3.90 on 4.6. Have never had a car that was stock or got good MPG stock. I check it only if I am concerned there is a problem that isn't showing symptoms.

Woops... yeah, meant shorter. My head is in Sunday mode apparently. Yeah, I wouldn't be concerned with the MPG either... and I was just curious as to how it affects the overall quickness of the truck. I hope you are able to find a solution for reasonable economics. I want to see it happen.

[Green Dragon]

Just a follow up pic showing the difference between the manual LCI 4.10 diff and the pre-lci 4.4 3.64 diff. Manual 4.10 is much tougher/bigger looking.

[Ragnorak]

I have a 3.0/5MT with the rear end currently disassembled for full overhaul. Bushings, ball joints, powdercoat, etc.

I noticed last year in the snow that the DSC will cut in and depower/selectively brake the car when you're slipping. It's a feature I really don't like about the X5 but I'm new to AWD cars. Have had a ton of E36s, including an S54 318ti.

Is there an advantage to adding an LSD clutch pack to the rear of the E53 X5? Every E36 I've owned has had a rear LSD, but I'm not sure how it affects the handling of the car with the front open diff.

[bcredliner]

The X5 traction control puts power to the wheels that have not lost traction. In the majority of winter weather it is all that is needed and can be improved significally with the right choice of tires. Generally, if that isn't enough you shouldn't be out there anyway.

Limited slip diffs are beneficial but I think mostly for racing when you want the traction control off and the TQ is enough to lose traction at any wheel or with two wheel drive. If you would rather not use the traction control feature for winter weather I would feel comfortable saying limited slip diffs will fairly similar to stock diffs.

The downside is you lose the effectiveness of traction control in cases where the vehicle is in a spin and the supplement to handling when pushing the wrapper when turning. And, Even if you can DIY, the cost of converting to limited slip diffs is very expensive based on a cost/benefit equation. You should not make the change to one diff if you ever activate traction control and to have the an effectiveness similar to the traction you should will need to do both anyway.

This is an opinion based on past experience with limited slip diffs in rear drive vehicles and the stock DCS system in the X5.

[bcredliner]

Sedc,

I have the 4.10s and am ready to make the change from 3.90s.

Does the change cause any other issues such as trouble code, dash light warnings, etc.? Does the speedometer read accurately?

[sedc]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Does the change cause any other issues such as trouble code, dash light warnings, etc.?

No, there are no electronics involved in the gearing

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Does the speedometer read accurately?

Yes, the reading comes from the right rear wheel speed sensor, it is not affected by gearing

[TheDarkSideofWill]

Originally Posted by sedc

- Front diff I shipped to Jim Blanton. He built/machined the small LS to fit the front case!

Ok, I guess I need to go find Jim Blanton.

Originally Posted by Nick P

Hi!

Since there are Quaife and Drexler LSDs for E53, it seems to be much easier way to get the axles locked. But I saw, the older front Diff is adaptable quite easily for E53.

I'm considering though, to lock both axles and not just the front, even I'll get more understeer, the winter and off-road capabilities would be much better, which I appreciate more.

Drexler diffs are wild! I had not heard of them before.