BMW Differential and Gearing Upgrades for BMW 3 Series E30 (1984-1991)

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Upgrading various parts of the differential can have tremendous benefits in your car's performance. It's easy to forget that the differential is a source for making your car faster and handle better so it's often overlooked. The engine is not the only place to make the car faster. Our differential options vary from gearing upgrades to limited slip conversions. You can purchase the ring & pinion gear sets on their own (professional installation required) or have us build a diff around your own specifcations. The options are almost endless! Every custom-built diff is fully rebuilt with seals and bearings. We also design and supply bushing options to reduce driveline wind-up, finned differential covers for better cooling, and more!

Ratio Changes - Changing the differential gearing is one of the best and most-effective upgrades you can make on any BMW (old or new). By using a shorter (numerically higher) final drive ratio you are increasing your RPM relative to road speed - this puts you in a more powerful RPM range than before! Since you're in a 'meatier' part of the power band you're now putting down more power/torque to the ground. If you can trade outright top speed for faster acceleration at daily speeds then this is the perfect upgrade for you.

Limited Slip Upgrades - Sadly, many BMWs today are not equipped with a limited slip (posi-traction) differential. BMW has tried to compensate by using traction control that cuts power at the engine or applies the brakes to retard wheel spin (or a combination of both). But nothing beats the function and feel of a a true LSD which may be why BMW continues to use them in M cars. Our LSD upgrades can be done a number of different ways - a factory-type limited slip unit with either 2 or 3 clutch packs, helical type, OS Giken unit, or something truly custom. We can also vary ramp angles and setup to change the limited-slip behavior under acceleration, deceleration, and cornering. Need a custom diff? Call or e-mail to have a quote.

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Turner Motorsport - Corporate Logo
T#:593924
Part#: 027030TMS01
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Sale - Save 25%
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$ 67.49 USD
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When both extreme-duty protection and saving every gram matters: the Turner Magnetic Differential Drain Plug.
Turner Motorsport - Corporate Logo
T#:38452827
Part#: 025993LA
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$ 1,085.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
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Starting at $ 1,083.64 USD
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Designed for track drivers, drift enthusiasts, and drag racers alike, this all-in-one driveline upgrade eliminates the factory weak points and reinforces your drivetrain for high-performance abuse. Whether you're laying down 500HP, clutch-kicking through corners, or launching hard at the strip, this cover keeps your differential secure, cool, and ready for battle.

The stock E30 differential cover features a single mounting provision—fine for a stock M20, but guaranteed to fail on your boosted high-horsepower M5X build. After years of broken covers, mounting tabs, and dreams, our team of E30 enthusiasts engineered the ultimate fix.

Unlike the brittle OEM cast aluminum cover, our upgraded differential cover is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, offering a 30% increase in material strength alone. More importantly, a secondary mounting ear has been integrated into the design for added support, drastically improving stability and driveline shock absorption. The secondary mount is tied into the chassis using a reinforced sheet metal bracket and a billet aluminum plate, allowing for bolt-on installation or welding for ultimate rigidity.

Another major flaw of the factory E30 differential cover is its lack of any cooling provisions, leading to overheated fluid and premature wear. Our engineers solved this issue by incorporating advanced cooling features into the design. Large external fins have been added to the cover, and are optimized using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis to efficiently dissipate heat, reducing overall fluid temperatures. By maintaining a more stable differential temperature, this cover ensures consistent performance and extends the lifespan of your differential fluid. A built-in air duct assists in cooling by increasing airflow around the differential, further preventing heat-related failures. Our cover features optional -6AN fittings, allowing for easy integration of an external fluid cooler if desired. Finally, a 1/8 NPT port is included with the kit to ensure compatibility with fluid temperature monitoring systems.

Precision-machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and finished with a black hard coat anodizing, this cover is built to withstand hard use. Despite its robust construction and superior durability, this differential cover retains factory mounting features. This means any E30 188mm differential cover bushing can be installed, allowing you to tailor our upgraded cover to your build. The cover also accommodates large rear sway bars, ensuring fitment on cars with upgraded suspension. Our proprietary removable air duct provides easy access to sensor bungs, fill plugs, and drain plugs, making differential service a breeze.

FEATURES

Unmatched Strength & Durability - Heavily reinforced mounting locations are designed to withstand extreme horsepower, torque, and shock load. Secondary Differential Mount - A built-in secondary mount, integral sheet metal bracket, and billet adapter plate make this the strongest E30 differential cover on the market. Bolt-On or Weld-On Installation - The secondary mount is designed for easy bolt-in installation or can be welded to the chassis for ultimate rigidity. Optimized Cooling - Large external fins, designed using CFD analysis, dissipate heat efficiently, reducing overall differential fluid temperatures. Integrated Breather System - An integrated breather system reduces internal cavitation by properly venting built-up pressure. Enhanced Fluid Management - Includes a 1/8 NPT sensor port for real-time fluid temperature monitoring, and optional -6AN fittings for adding an external fluid cooler. Aerodynamic Air Duct - The included aerodynamic air duct further reduces fluid temperatures, increasing fluid service life and reliability. KIT CONTENTS

Dual Mount Differential Cover Assembly Includes the cover, sheet metal mounting bracket, billet aluminum mounting plate, and aerodynamic air duct. Installation Hardware Kit Includes everything you need to install this masterpiece on your E30! Differential Gasket Choose between a Genuine BMW paper gasket or make your own gasket with Loctite 5970. Optional -6AN fittings (2) for adding an external fluid cooler. Differential Cover Bushings Choose between Powerflex, OE MOOG, and Genuine BMW, or add your own (two E30 188mm differential cover bushings required for installation). Gear Oil Choose between Liqui Moly, Redline, and Genuine BMW, or supply your own fluid for reassembly.

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URO Speedometer Impulse Sender E24, E30, Z3, Z1
For vehicles with production date from 09/1987
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:37993402
Part#: 62168355008
In Stock
$ 46.99 USD
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$ 46.99 USD
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This electronic sensor generates electrical pulses based on the final drive. These signals are then processed by the vehicle’s ECU or speedometer gauge to display real-time speed readings on the dashboard.
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Packaged by Turner - Corporate Logo
T#:42133544
Part#: 835225790TKT
In Stock
Sale - Save 2% $ 60.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
08-04-2026

$ 59.72 USD
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Sale - Save 2%
$ 60.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
08-04-2026

$ 59.72 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
The kit includes 2 Quarts of Red line 75w90 - 57904 and brand new Rein rear diff oil drain plug M22x1.5

URO Speedometer Sensor
For vehicles with production date up to 09/1987
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:35863158
Part#: 62161369906
Ships in 1 Business Day
$ 70.99 USD
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$ 70.99 USD
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BMW URO speedometer / pulse generator is mounted in the back of the differential and provides wheel speed information to the instrument cluster speedometer.

This item fits the following BMWs:
1984-1987 E30 BMW 318i 325e 325es 325i 325ic 325is
1982-1988 E28 BMW 524td 528e 533i 535i 535is M5
1983-6/1987 E24 BMW 633csi 635csi M6
1981-1987 E23 BMW 733i 735i
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