After researching the various E36 ratio differentials that I could simply swap in, I decided to go with a 3.91 ratio. But there’s an easy way to increase low end torque, just change to a numerically higher ratio limited slip differential. That’s just part of the expected performance delivery when it comes to a centrifugal type supercharger. Though the Vortech supercharger is giving my E36 great power now, it still lacks in the low end as I previously noted. I just had to slightly modify the Ground Control shock mounts to eliminate interference with the bar. The rear bar is just as well built as the front and was a simple install. I went with the Megan Racing rear bar as I was impressed by the quality of the front bar that I was already running from them. Since the bar is so light and I don’t have a rear cage, why not throw this in there? Every little bit helps. There’s definitely no load coming from the shock mount towers (like the front strut towers) but this will theoretically help to stiffen the rear chassis. I then installed a rear chassis reinforcement bar that ties together the rear shock mounts. Install was easy after the nutserts were installed.

I found a pretty simple kit online at BimmerBum that I highly recommend, I’ll provide the link below. You’ll need 6 nutserts total installed in order to mount the front of the X-brace. The only real trick to installing the X-brace in an E36 not setup from the factory for one is the need to install nutserts into the front subframe. There are enough mounts already present in the E36 to do this. I actually went as far as installing both the original simple brace and the X-brace at the same time. Obviously, installing the X-brace will stiffen up the front chassis to a certain degree as well as offer more protection to the engine oil pan. Most models were equipped with a simple bar that connects one frame rail to the other behind the engine (as seen at the top of the picture above). Only a few BMW E36 models came from the factory with the front X-brace installed under the engine to stiffen the chassis.

Installing a chassis mounted short shifter.

Changing the rear limited slip differential ratio from 3.15 to 3.91.

Adding more braces to the E36 to further stiffen the chassis front and rear.

This upgrade session is focused on the following areas: Quite a bit of miscellaneous items but they will all definitely impact the car’s performance. There’s just time to address a few more things before the 2019 autocross season kicks off.

Bmw e36 short shifter install