Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    1,193

    What Diff Oil Should Be Used on Open Diff and LSD

    Hi Family,

    What diff oil are you running and why did you chose that viscosity?
    In case of the LSD, does anybody have an experience with 75W-140?
    I have LSD and not sure which way to go: 75W-110 or 75W-140. I know that recommended oil for e46 M3 and e38 M5 is 75W-140. MFactory recommended that to me as well. He is the message:
    "Fluid viscosity should be thickened if any competitive driving is being done. We recommend any high quality synthetic 75w140. Our go-to fluid is Torco but we understand that it might be difficult for some customers to find in their region.
    When in doubt, Motul is always a choice we recommend."

    Diffsonline is recommending to stay with 75W-110.
    I think 75W-140 will be an overkill and not ideal during the cold New England winters.
    Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    I've traditionally used Redline 75W-90 in the open factory diff. Then when I switched to the Diffsonline Clutch-type LSD, the diff made a lot of noise when turning when using the 75W-90 fluid.

    After some research, I found out Diffsonline requires 75W-110 fluid in this particular diff, so I switched to Redline 75W-110 and haven't had any issues with noise since. I have driven it in the winter and summer temps with no issues to report.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    588
    I have an MFactory helical LSD, and I use 75W-90 (Redline)—as recommended by MFactory. No noise whatsoever...
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP (52k miles), Jet Black with black leather, MFactory LSD (3.38) with Z4 cover, 18"x8.5" ET38 APEX Arc-8's (Anthracite) with 245/40 Michelin PSS', Koni Sports with factory springs and front and rear reinforcement plates, Shark Injector, Corsa TSE3 cat-back exhaust, TMS under-driven pulleys (water & steering), CDV delete, TMS CF strut brace, K&N CAI, GAS DISA rebuild, TMS pedals, Wheelskins steering wheel cover, roller tray center console, black-out grilles, and WeatherTech mats

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3,130
    Really depends on if you have a Helical kr or clutch type diff

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    NOVA
    Posts
    85
    Another Red Line 57904 (75W90) Synthetic Gear Oil user on stock diff. No noise.
    2005 ZHP Jet Black 6-Speed MT

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    1,193
    Thank you for the feedback and thoughts.
    I have helical LSD and leaning towards 75w-110.
    I will report back once I'll switch to that oil type. Most likely it will be Red Line.
    I forgot to mention that on my wife's car with stock 3.64 diff I am using Red Line 79w-90 and everyting is great.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Austin, Tx
    Posts
    295
    BMW recommended SAF-XO 75W90 on open diffs and SAF-XJ 75-140 on LS diffs. Once it gets some temp and RPM I wouldn't think twice about a 75-140. But I don't think you can go wrong with what the manufacturer recommends.
    Current Garage... '00 R11S, '09 HP2S, '12 R12GSA, '00 Black 323iT (wife's), '02 Alpine 325iT (Eileen, Track Wagon), '02 Japan Rot 325iT

    Instagram @ HillPerformanceBimmers
    Email to George@HillPerformance.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Quote Originally Posted by GeorgeH View Post
    BMW recommended SAF-XO 75W90 on open diffs and SAF-XJ 75-140 on LS diffs. Once it gets some temp and RPM I wouldn't think twice about a 75-140. But I don't think you can go wrong with what the manufacturer recommends.
    Keep in mind BMW's recommendation for a limited slip applies to their limited slip. As I'm sure most of us with LSDs don't have a BMW one, it's important to keep in mind to always use what the manufacturer of the diff recommends for their product.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Austin, Tx
    Posts
    295
    Autozone.com
    Quote Originally Posted by az3579 View Post
    Keep in mind BMW's recommendation for a limited slip applies to their limited slip. As I'm sure most of us with LSDs don't have a BMW one, it's important to keep in mind to always use what the manufacturer of the diff recommends for their product.
    Yes this is what I meant, you said it better though.
    Current Garage... '00 R11S, '09 HP2S, '12 R12GSA, '00 Black 323iT (wife's), '02 Alpine 325iT (Eileen, Track Wagon), '02 Japan Rot 325iT

    Instagram @ HillPerformanceBimmers
    Email to George@HillPerformance.com

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