For those of you who have installed a Nismo finned diff cover, or anyone who has had any reason to have removed their stock diff cover, can you tell me the approximate thickness of the cover? I want to tap it for two 3/8" NPT ports, but I'm not sure if the thickness of the cover will allow for a safe number of threads. If the cover is not thick enough I will have to use weld on bungs.

 

I was wondering what you had in mind.

 

Rear diff oil cooler. AFAIK only ARC makes one for our cars, and it is over $2k. I can piece one together for around $400.

 

I think you should plan on on welding bungs. The Nismo Finned Diff Cover is a little thicker.
$400 seems like a lot for this no? Cooler, lines, aux pump?

 

^ Most of the money is in the pump. The cheapest one I can find that is suitable (ie., can handle pumping fluids at high temp) is a Tilton differential pump from summit at around $175.

I priced everything out including all fittings, pump, Earl's cooler.. Came to around $385.

Thanks for the info Stan, I will figure on using weld on fittings.

 

Yeah, it didn't occur to me that the pump would be so expensive... Don't forget to write down the part number so I can jack it later and follow suit

Let me know if you fawk up your orig diff cover, I should have a few laying around.

 

Thanks, I will be doing a write up on it when I'm done. I think this will really help keep my diff temps down on the track.

Just to confirm, the diff cover is aluminum, correct?

 

I do believe it is, but don't take my word for it.

 

Both the Nismo and the OEM covers are aluminum.

 

Here's a few diff install links:

http://flashoffroad.com/Improvements...ase_cooler.htm

http://www.bimmerworld.com/html/diff...uid-cooler.htm

If you want a list of pieces:

Tilton Pump: Part#: TIL40-524 (~ $150)
Derale Electra-Cool Remote Fluid Coolers: Part# DER-15800 (~$150)
Derale Fan Switch: Part#DER-16749 (~$40)
Aeroquip braided steel hose- 12 feet: (~$120 @ $10/ft)
Assorted fittings: ???
In-line filter: ??

Hope this helps.

 

any updates, I have been looking into piecing one together too.

 

I have my old oem diff cover still laying around after replacing it with the nismo unit. I would say it's probably 1/8" thick. It's cast aluminum. I personally wouldn't try tapping it. Maybe welding on a bung would be a better option...