BMW Differential and Gearing Upgrades for BMW 3 Series E36 (1992-1998)

Single piece 6061 construction, optimized cooling, provisions for temp sensor, and external cooler with removable air duct.

Built to last, made from a single piece of 6061 billet aluminum with a rugged and good-looking hard-coat anodizing our diff cover can handle anything you throw at it. Not only is it an absolute masterpiece to look at but the billet diff cover checks all the boxes for features needed. Reinforced mounting ears for strength and stability, never again will you break an ear off your diff cover like the factory units are known to do. Each ear is not only unified with the one-piece billet cover but also feature added material for the highest durability possible. This diff cover is cool, literally, the entire construction was designed with optimized cooling in mind. External fins are strategically placed on the rear face, bottom, and between the mounting ears of the cover, serving as effective heat sinks for optimal heat dissipation. This ensures stable temperatures, promoting longevity for both the fluid and your differential. Additionally, the internal design ensures continuous oiling and lubrication to the ring gear, maintaining its stability and preventing fatigue by controlling heat more effectively. An internal baffle at the cover's corner helps maintain proper pressure and prevents cavitation.

All of the OEM features were retained along with the upgrades. The mounting surface was designed to be compatible with both the OEM gasket or RTV of your choosing, some people don't trust the gaskets and we get it. You can transfer your speed sensor directly to your upgraded billet cover and it even features a provision for the sensor wire mounting. Factory bushing geometry allows you to use any E36 diff busing including rubber, poly, and even solid mounts. The drain and fill plugs on the diff cover are upgraded to -6AN using the provided high-pressure fittings with replaceable o-rings. The drain and fill plugs can now also be used for expanding to an external oil cooler allowing you to further expand the fluid capacity for optimized cooling and service intervals. To keep an eye on things from the driver seat is 1/8 NPT provision for temp sensors, this product from Turner has you covered at every turn.

Why the upgrade?

If you're new to differential covers used in earlier generations like the E30, you'll find significant improvements in the OEM E36 cover. Unlike the E30's single mount design, the E36 features a dual mount design, which was introduced to address common issues such as broken mounts due to worn-out bushings and aggressive driving. This upgrade significantly enhanced durability and reliability.

While the factory E36 differential cover was a significant improvement with its dual mounts compared to the previous generation, there are still some shortcomings that the original cover doesn't address. Most factory differential covers, including those on the E36, are cast from aluminum. However, due to the porous nature of cast aluminum, the mounting ears on these covers cannot withstand the intense shocks typical in motorsport or in vehicles with significantly increased power.

Upgrading to our Reinforced Billet Differential cover gives you the strength you need to push your car to its limits without worrying about snapping a diff mount from clutch kicking or other shocks to the drivetrain. In addition to its enhanced strength, this differential cover includes numerous other upgrades and conveniences. These include improved cooling and lubrication for the ring gear, upgraded fill and drain plugs, and the option to expand an external oil cooler for extreme motorsport usage. Designed to complement both upgraded daily drivers and extensively modified track cars, it also boasts a visually appealing design.

Key Benefits:

Reinforced mounting ears for strength and stability - never again will you break an ear off during an aggressive drive or track event
External fins on the back side, bottom, and mounting ears on the casing for maximum cooling and consistent fluid temps
Removeable air duct to direct air across the cooling fins for even more temperature control
Optimized internal design to keep fluid consistently on the ring gear
Integrated breather to prevent cavitation by venting the appropriate amount of pressure being built up in the diff housing
-6AN ports to incorporate the use of a differential cooler - this increases capacity and lowers temps allowing for extended fluid change intervals
1/8 NPT fitting for the use of a temp sensor to monitor fluid temperature
Design:

Single piece 6061 Billet aluminum construction
T6 Black hard coat anodizing for superior corrosion resistance and aesthetics
Compatible with most differential coolers(-6AN) and temp sensors(1/8 NPT)
Designed to accommodate oversized rear sway bars
Retains OEM mounting features including the use of the OEM gasket
Factory geometry bushing size for use with OEM and aftermarket poly bushings
Removeable air duct for easy access to sensors and drain/fill plug
Retains OEM speed sensor and wire mount location
Product development:

Our Reinforced Billet Diff Cover was designed, engineered, tested, and quality inspected by our Research and Development team at Turner. Nothing but the highest level of precision and quality through leading-edge product development technology including FARO laser scanning for reverse engineering and quality inspection, SolidWorks 3D CAD modeling, rapid prototyping utilizing our in-house 3D printer, and rigorous long-term product testing.

Urethane mounts keep the differential from twisting under load. As torque is put through the driveline it causes anything to twist and move. The differential is mounted to the subframe and the twisting and deflection can be transferred to the rest of the chassis. With a stiffer mount the differential will not deflect as much. This improves seat-of-the-pants feeling to the driver, giving more feedback for smoother power delivery. In theory, there's also more torque being sent to the drive wheels since it's not being used up shifting the diff weight around.

These are tough 88A durometer urethane bushings with a anodized almunum center sleeve, engineered by ECS. This is a set of E36 diff bushings - 1 for the front and 2 for the rear cover. New high-grade hardware is included (the front bolt has a tendency to snap from all that torque twisting!).

E36 188mm Reinforced Billet Aluminum Differential Cover

Engineered from high-quality 6061 billet aluminum, this differential cover is built for resilience and designed for performance. Hard-coat anodized for a sleek finish and superior corrosion resistance, it not only looks great but also brings functional improvements in strength and cooling. Turner Motorsport has added reinforced mounting ears to withstand the toughest driving conditions—preventing the breakages common with OEM covers.

This cover doesn’t just endure—it performs. The cover features strategically placed external fins on the rear face, base, and mounting ears to efficiently dissipate heat, keeping temperatures stable for optimal fluid longevity and differential health. Inside, the design promotes consistent oiling of the ring gear, reducing wear by ensuring critical cooling and lubrication. An integrated baffle keeps pressure stable and minimizes cavitation.

Compatibility is at the core of the design: it’s compatible with OEM gaskets or RTV, and it retains the factory bushing geometry for easy integration with rubber, poly, and even solid mounts. The upgraded -6AN drain and fill plugs allow expansion for an external oil cooler, ideal for high-performance applications. Plus, a 1/8 NPT port allows for real-time monitoring of differential fluid temperatures.

Key Benefits:

Reinforced mounting ears for robust support—no more broken ears during aggressive driving or track days Optimized cooling with fins on rear face, base, and mounting ears Removable air duct to direct airflow across fins for maximum temperature control Improved internal design to maintain consistent lubrication on the ring gear -6AN ports for external cooler compatibility, increasing fluid capacity and extending change intervals 1/8 NPT port for temperature sensor integration to monitor fluid heat Design Highlights:

Precision-milled from 6061 billet aluminum with a T6 hard-coat anodized finish Fits E36 medium case 188mm differentials Compatible with differential coolers (-6AN) and temperature sensors (1/8 NPT) Works with OEM speed sensor, OEM gasket, and oversized sway bars Designed for easy maintenance with a removable air duct and accessible drain/fill plug ECS Tuning E36 Polyurethane Transmission Mount Set – Street

The ECS Polyurethane Transmission Mounts in this kit provide a solid connection between transmission and chassis, enhancing stability and reducing unwanted drivetrain movement. Built for durability, these mounts feature polyurethane with a 70A durometer for a perfect balance of comfort and performance. Compared to OEM rubber mounts, polyurethane provides less deflection, better power transfer, and much longer life under stress.

Polyurethane’s natural resistance to water, oil, and wear ensures these mounts maintain shape and performance even under heavy compression, making them ideal for spirited driving and track use. The mounts include a mechanical interlock for secure, reliable performance—even under high-torque, forced-induction scenarios. For those seeking a more aggressive setup, ECS also offers an 80A durometer Race mount.

Key Features:

Reduces transmission movement, minimizing mis-shifts and over-revs High-quality polyurethane bonded to 304 Stainless Steel Engaging driving experience with enhanced feedback and control Available in Street (70A) and Race (80A) applications for tailored performance Enjoy smoother shifts, firmer power delivery, and a more engaging drive with the ECS Polyurethane Transmission Mounts.