Dinan Differential and Software

[soberin]

I recently installed the Dinan diff for my E90 M3 6-MT. Can't say I notice much increased wheel torque at all. What do you think?

Also, does the software upgrade from Dinan also provide similar imperceptible "improvement?"

[///M Ryder]

Can't speak for diff but the software alone isn't going to do anything but raise your RPM's to 8600 and remove the top speed governor. Dinan works best when you group mods together.........Phil

[Superfly_M3]

Just out of curiosity how much did the diff cost?

When you ordered it, what did Dinan advertise for it to do? Whats your final drive ratio?

[Radiation Joe]

I think if you have no idea what you are talking about, perhaps you shouldn't:
a) post uninformed messages
b) knock vendors that actually know what they are doing
c) buy mods with no understanding of what their ultimate purpose is.

The Dinan diff does exactly what every higher ratio diff has done throughout history; provide improved acceleration through higher torque multiplication in each gear. In the case of the Dinan it's an improvement of between 6.5% and 15% depending on which ratio you started with and which ratio you end up with. This is easily felt in every day driving, by even the most novice driver. My non-car fiance would notice it immediately.

No software change for our cars provides a significant power increase. What the Dinan software did for me was to improve the throttle response and drive-ability. It can improve power when combined with an exhaust system that has had the catalysts removed.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

I think if you have no idea what you are talking about, perhaps you shouldn't:
a) post uninformed messages
b) knock vendors that actually know what they are doing
c) buy mods with no understanding of what their ultimate purpose is.

The Dinan diff does exactly what every higher ratio diff has done throughout history; provide improved acceleration through higher torque multiplication in each gear. In the case of the Dinan it's an improvement of between 6.5% and 15% depending on which ratio you started with and which ratio you end up with. This is easily felt in every day driving, by even the most novice driver. My non-car fiance would notice it immediately.

No software change for our cars provides a significant power increase. What the Dinan software did for me was to improve the throttle response and drive-ability. It can improve power when combined with an exhaust system that has had the catalysts removed.

+1

[soberin]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

I think if you have no idea what you are talking about, perhaps you shouldn't:
a) post uninformed messages
b) knock vendors that actually know what they are doing
c) buy mods with no understanding of what their ultimate purpose is.

The Dinan diff does exactly what every higher ratio diff has done throughout history; provide improved acceleration through higher torque multiplication in each gear. In the case of the Dinan it's an improvement of between 6.5% and 15% depending on which ratio you started with and which ratio you end up with. This is easily felt in every day driving, by even the most novice driver. My non-car fiance would notice it immediately.

No software change for our cars provides a significant power increase. What the Dinan software did for me was to improve the throttle response and drive-ability. It can improve power when combined with an exhaust system that has had the catalysts removed.

I have the Dinan State III suspension, exhaust and intake. So I do understand how mods work. The diff provides a 6.5% increase as a torque multiplier. With all due respect to your fiance, I will tell you this "improvement" is not significant in terms of car performance. Period. It is not worth the $3,000 as shown on the Dinan website.

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by soberin

I have the Dinan State III suspension, exhaust and intake. So I do understand how mods work. The diff provides a 6.5% increase as a torque multiplier. With all due respect to your fiance, I will tell you this "improvement" is not significant in terms of car performance. Period. It is not worth the $3,000 as shown on the Dinan website.

OP, if you have these already then get the software. You'll notice a difference......Phil

[saeyedoc]

Is the torque increase at the expense of MPG in high gears due to higher RPM's at a given speed? There must be some downside.

[crabman]

Yeah, I put gears in my corvette which amounted to a 16% gear reduction without telling my wife but she noticed the first time she drove the car afterwards. Not sure how 8% would feel but you are going to immediately notice the difference with 15ish. TBH where you notice it the most is that you use different gears in many situations than you did before. Where before you would take a corner in 2nd, after it can end up being third instead, driving at a steady state posted 30 might end up being 4th instead of third, so on. You run into this all over the place, not everywhere, but a lot. Acceleration felt stronger but nothing huge.

[soberin]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

Is the torque increase at the expense of MPG in high gears due to higher RPM's at a given speed? There must be some downside.

Yes. The car runs about 150 rpm more than normal, when cruising at 70mph in 6th.

[stega]

Originally Posted by soberin

I have the Dinan State III suspension, exhaust and intake. So I do understand how mods work. The diff provides a 6.5% increase as a torque multiplier. With all due respect to your fiance, I will tell you this "improvement" is not significant in terms of car performance. Period. It is not worth the $3,000 as shown on the Dinan website.

The improvement is significant you just can't feel it apparently, I have the 3.45 diff for my dct and I noticed the diffrence right away. Also the Dinan diff is no diffrent than a similar diff from another vendor in any way.

[pbonsalb]

The 3.15 to 3.45 upgrade for the 7DCT at 9.5% is much more significant than the 3.85 to 4.10 upgrade for the 6MT at 6.5%. That said, you still should be able to feel the 3.85 to 4.10 change. I could feel the difference between a 3.23 and a 3.38, a 4.5% improvement, on my E36 M3, though I decided it was not enough and moved on to a 3.64 to gain a 12.5% improvement.

[smmmurf]

I'll take the diff if you want to sell it

[turbo8765]

I have installed shorter gears on my cars, and many friends have done the same over the years. I've ALWAYS noticed the difference, even in cars I had very little seat time in prior to the swap.

This is on everything from an S2000 to a fully built mustang, and many BMWs in between.

[soberin]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The 3.15 to 3.45 upgrade for the 7DCT at 9.5% is much more significant than the 3.85 to 4.10 upgrade for the 6MT at 6.5%. That said, you still should be able to feel the 3.85 to 4.10 change. I could feel the difference between a 3.23 and a 3.38, a 4.5% improvement, on my E36 M3, though I decided it was not enough and moved on to a 3.64 to gain a 12.5% improvement.

Agreed. The difference is much more significant for the DCT diff change.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Hey Joe,

I have a good idea for a new year's resolution for you.... don't be such a d!ck to new posters.

It was easier to fulfill my new years resolutions of quitting smoking, drinking less and stop chasing young ladies than to be nice online. It's a sickness and I intend to seek counseling.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

It was easier to fulfill my new years resolutions of quitting smoking, drinking less and stop chasing young ladies than to be nice online. It's a sickness and I intend to seek counseling.

Some new posters ask stupid questions. personally I thought this thread was actually ok and the response was unwarranted ("feel" is subjective), but on many other occasions Radiation Joe has proved to be an asset to the forum.

[bigjae1976]

Every forum needs someone to beat down people with stupid questions.

...and I've never asked a stupid question

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Every forum needs someone to beat down people with stupid questions.

...and I've never asked a stupid question

Radiation Joe single handedly prevented the end of the world 2012
someone has to do it

[jimmy ny]

I'm thinking about the 3.45 for my dct. i would hope it would give me at least 2 car lengths quicker in the 1/4 mile.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Radiation Joe single handedly prevented the end of the world 2012
someone has to do it

Yeah, everyone is generally nice and cordial to each other. This board nees some more and . That's what made E46Fanatics so great a couple of years ago!