auto and manual Diff ratios

[fraser]

Hi,
Going to swap my 3spd auto 323i to 5spd manual and have all the bits, but is the diff going to be the same or will the ratio be completely wrong?

[Jeroen]

From the factory, the diffs were the same no matter what gearbox so you should be ok. You'll greatly reduce the rev count going from 3 speed to 5 speed and that may even bring you to fit a diff that's one step shorter (3.64 from the 320/6 instad of the 323i's 3.45). I've been thinking about that myself for some time now, the 5th gear is a real overdrive with the stock diff.

[fraser]

As long as 0-60 isnt awful and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th are fairly close for going from 40-80mph around the country roads im happy with a nice low 5th for the motorways! That's promising though as someone was telling me i'd have to change it. Anyway thanks for your help Jeroen!

[Jeroen]

My car runs fine on the stock diff, then better try that first!

[fraser]

Ok perfect thanks a lot