E36 M3 evo lsd in 328i help needed

[330iM52]

Hello everyone,

I have been told some time ago this is the best place to get some info on BM’s.
I have searched the forum to find info on diff and driveshaft interchangeability but couldn’t find info I am after.

I got myself LSD from M3 evo hoping to put it into my E36 328i. Now, I know the diff is bigger than any other E36 diff as it comes out of an euro M3 (6 speed box) so I also need a diff carrier of an evo to mount it to the chassis. I am aware of the fact that the output flanges need to be swapped (although 328i ones pop out easily and fit into M3 diff – at least that is what people say).I am also aware of the input flange issue. 6 bolts one need to be swapped with 4 bolts one and that alone presents the “user” with possible input shaft bearing problems should it be done improperly.

My question is how do one goes about driveshaft (propshaft) length..?
The 328i supposed to have a ZF transmission, same as the one in M3 3.0 (both euro and US), so if I had diff out of an M3 3.0 I could either keep my driveshaft and swap input flange or get M3 3.0 driveshaft (correct me if I am wrong on this).
Re. 6 speed box of an evo: Is it different in length? (longer or shorter) and is the diff itself longer (meaning distance between horizontal line crossing through the middle of output shafts and input flange face) or is it just bigger, meaning beafier, and keeps all the “flanges position” dimensions of an 188 diff of an 328i?

Now, if the evo diff is different length than all the other E36 diffs and if the 6 sp box is different length than my 5sp ZF box I am either extremely lucky to have those dimensions “cancel” each other or extremely stupid buying evo diff hopig everything is going to be OK before doing a proper search.

So, which driveshaft do I need? Anyone done this before? I don’t want to go the custom shaft route but more than that I wouldn’t like to take the diff and the carrier out only to find out that I cannot put the evo diff without a custom shaft. I use the car as a daily commuter literally every day so please help me on this.

Any input greatly appreciated.

Chris

[TheTunerSource]

It can work. Just that removing the subframe is kind of pain. Make sure to get new bushings once installed.