Available Axle Ratios?

[rlearp]

I'm looking into getting a 330 with the performance package which I know comes with a little shorter rear ratio, a 3.07. I'm interested to know if anyone here knows of other ratios available for that rear end. Something around a 3.4x to 3.5x would be fine with me, stepping up RPM a little and acceleration. Car, for me, would be a daily driver with track use and from what I've read the cars are well up to it. I'm hoping to see some in action this weekend at the BMW track day, although I'll have my Lotus and no BMW ;-(. Thanks much,

Ron

 

[BMW-FW26]

How is the Lotus as a daily driver? I wanted to get a Espirit V8 which is actually a little slower than my M3.

 

[codex57]

Use my rear ratio. The 325 with auto has a 3.46 I believe. I think there's a higher one on the Z4 or Z3, but the 325 one will fit for sure. The swap is also known as the "poor man's supercharger." Just remember revs will be higher and thus gas mileage will go down accordingly.

 

[rlearp]

Lotus V8

I have driven Lotus V8s and stock they are slower than modified Lotus turbo 4s. But, with a few changes the Lotus V8 really wakes up. The Lotus is not so good as an everyday driver but it is a fairly quick car. Build quility is not that good, that is for sure and if you cannot wrench your own cars I suggest you have deep pockets. Mine is a turbo four SE and at the moment on the dyno it makes 342 rear wheel hp and will run (horrible 60ft times) in the 12.2s @ 119mph. So, slow it is not, certainly not slower than a stock M3, with some fantastic turn in and handling dynamics despite its aging chassis. But, as I mentioned on the other thread I'm a novice track driver and will have it this weekend at VIR for a BMW track day, hoping to see some nice E46 Coupes and Sedans so that I can make a choice.

Thanks for the gearing suggestion. I'm new to BMWs thus I don't know ratios available for them (no problem with Ford or Chevy ratios). That would be about the perfect ratio and would do the job quite well. Now, on the tranny side - electronic pickup for speed I'm assuming? Who to see about speedo correction, BMW, or another aftermarket group? Thanks much,

Ron

 

[BMW-FW26]

Dinan has 3.9 gears you can buy.

 

[codex57]

You don't have to go to BMW for speedo corrections. I know AAA sends me notices periodically telling me when they're having checkups on that.