Seems Legit Garage Ford 8.8 Install | BMW 335is

In this video I will be installing the Seems Legit Garage, Ford 8.8” Rear End Swap on my 2012 BMW 335is. This mod brings the “suspension/drivetrain” phase of my build to a close and puts a nice exclamation point on everything to this point. Watch as I cover the components included in the swap kit, and the install points for those major components. Unfortunately I will need to make some adjustments to the exhaust before I can get the car on the road, and give a proper reaction to how this kit, along with all of the other mods perform. Look for the follow up video soon. Thanks for checking out this video and my channel!
00:00 (Intro) SLG 8.8” Ford Diff. Swap
1:42 Diff. Carrier Comparison
2:32 The Driveshaft
4:17 The Axles
7:28 Diff. Carrier Brackets
8:13 Fourth Mount Option
8:52 Spoke Too Soon?
9:06 Compatibility Delay
10:15 Post Install of Carrier
11:45 Transmission Flange Adapter
13:05 Installing Driveshaft
14:08 Gear Oil/Break In
14:46 Post Axle Install
15:33 Stopper Short Of The Goal Line
Link for Seems Legit Garage Ford 8.8” Swap Bundle
www.seemslegitgarage.com/prod...
Current Mod List. I will update this list for each of my video uploads so that it accurately reflects the modifications done to the car at the time of the upload. Obviously the newest upload on my channel will be the most up to date mod list.
Engine / Tuning
•DCI - Burger Motorsports
•7.5” Stepped Race Intercooler- VRSF
•Charge Pipe - VRSF
•Blowoff Valve - Tial
•BOV 1/4” Line Adapter - Vader
•Low Side OCC - Mishimoto
•External PCV - RB Turbo
•MHD Stage 2+
Exhaust
•Catless DPs - VRSF
•BMW Performance Exhaust w/ Secondary Cats
•Carbon Fiber + Black Exhaust Tips - Mashimaro
Drivetrain
•XHp Stage 3 DCT Tune
•Poly Trans Mounts - ECS Tuning
•Ford 8.8” Rear End Conversion, w/ Carbon Clutch LSD, 3.08 Gears, One Piece Driveshaft, and G Force Axles - Seems Legit Garage
Suspension
•3DM Motorsports “Track Day Suspension,” Custom Valved Ohlins Dampers, Swift Springs (400lb front, 800lb rear), Vorshlag Camber Plates, AKG Spherical Lower Rear Shock Mounts, Poly Upper Rear Shock Mounts
•M3 Front and Rear Control Arms
•Monoball Bearing in Front Lower Control Arm - Turner Motorsports
•Front Sway Bar 27mm - H&R
•M3 Rear Subframe Bushings
•Poly Diff Mounts -AKG/ECS Tuning
•Trailing Arm Ball Joint Conversion -3DM Motorsports
•Adjustable Rear Toe Arms - SPL Parts
•Poly Sway Bar Bushings - Powerflex
Brakes
•2 Piece Drilled/Slotted Rotors - ECS Tuning
•Hawk 5.0 Street Pads - Hawk
•SS Brake Lines - Stoptech
•Bronze Guide Pin Bushing Inserts - ECS Tuning
•RBF 600 Brake Fluid - Motul
Wheels/Tires/Exterior
•Apex ARC 8 (18x9 et30 Front, 18x9.5 et35 Rear)
•Michelin PS 4S (235/40 Front, 265/35 Rear)
•”High Kick CF Rear Spoiler - ECS Tuning
•M3 Style CF Mirror Caps - Mashimaro
•Paint Matched Front Reflector Delete
•M4 Style Front Grilles -Mashimaro
•Smoked Sequential Fender Lights - Mashimaro
#Seemslegitgarage #335is #BMW

[@midwestbmw1292]

If anyone is considering doing this mod, or is already embarking on the install, please don’t hesitate to use the comments section or DM me on Instagram @ zerolag335is to ask any questions you might have on my experience. There are certainly a few minor issues I’ve learned which might save people headaches during the install.

[@davewallace9048]

Love your entire video series exactly what I was looking for!!

[@javi_335i]

This is on my wish list for this coming spring 🔥🔥

[@midwestbmw1292]

I haven’t been able to put together all the clips for a follow up video yet but believe me it’s worth it. I’m very happy I went with this set up. My car is only FBO Stage 2+ MHD and it’s an absolute missile. Puts the power down extremely well.

[@ivanr2191]

Great content dude!!👍👍

[@grantlong6586]

Nice I was wondering if this was possible with the dct 335is. Epic build man.

[@questfor10s]

cool, i’m holding off on this as long as the stock axles are holding up. Good heads up about the M Performance exhaust clearance issue, I hadn’t heard that.

[@kevinl2692]

cool!! I am going to get these axles first

[@23212green]

I’ve been running my 8.8 (same slg kit) for the last 2-3 weeks and what a difference from the stock open diff! You’re running into all the same issues I ran into and you’re almost there. One thing I noticed which had me second guessing myself so I rewatched the slg install vid, was you installed the driveshaft backwards. Not sure if it will be an issue but thought I’d say something. Clean build sir! 🦊🤙

[@midwestbmw1292]

Damn man I didn’t even think that it might go in the other way. I’m glad you mentioned it. I’ll have to swap it around. I’ve been driving it around the past couple of days (with no exhaust) just in short spurts to make sure everything is good to go and it isn’t making any sounds or feeling like it is binding up or anything. Thanks again for the heads up.

[@23212green]

@@midwestbmw1292 I happy to hear it was a non issue this far!

[@midwestbmw1292]

@@23212green so I removed my driveshaft and spun it around only to find that each mounting flange is specific to either the transmission flange or diff carrier flange. There’s no way for me to install my driveshaft in the configuration they did on their video. Not without swapping the driveshaft flanges to the opposite sides anyway. Obviously I shot an email over to SLG to get their guidance on the matter. I’ll let you know what their response is.

[@midwestbmw1292]

@@23212green SLG responded and said the end of the driveshaft with the boot can go on either end and doesn’t matter. 😮‍💨 what a relief.

[@23212green]

I’m glad you got that sorted. I wish now mine was the other way around as the boot rubbed on my factory exhaust! I have a new exhaust going on tomorrow that will clear up that issue. I have about 500 miles on the 8.8, 27lbs of boost ST currently and am loving the lsd!

[@ihopmta772]

Can I use this kit on my E92 335i Xdrive ? I’m running FBO and JB4

[@1812weburntdownthewhitehouse]

Thanks Bud... You have helped me a ton on my install

[@daveevans7438]

I've seen a few videos now on this conversion. I like the one piece driveshaft. Why do you think BMW went a two piece unit???

[@midwestbmw1292]

I’m not exactly sure but I believe it came down to vibration resonance and angle between trans and diff.

[@donaldvillarreal5637]

I just installed 8.8 rear end in my 2008 335. I am having the same exhaust issues. Can you do a video or show me a video of what you did to remedy that

[@midwestbmw1292]

I simply took it to an exhaust shop with the exhaust off (open downpipes) and brought my exhaust in my truck. Told them what the issue was and they chopped the section out and welded in new pipe that fit around the axles.

[@midwestbmw1292]

Are you aware your stock sway bar will rub on the outer axle joint? You need to have an adjustable sway bar and/or sway bar links

[@brianmattson6183]

Looking to do this mod to an E36. Any experience or guidance there?

[@midwestbmw1292]

No experience at all with an E36. I would reach out to Seems Legit Garage, I’m sure they have experience or know of someone who has some. I will say that it’s been an absolute game changer so far on my build.

[@user-ns4eg9bt4x]

will this work for the xi e92s? the AWD's

[@midwestbmw1292]

As long as SLG can get you the same ring and pinion ratio that your AWD has. Thats the only thing I can think of that would keep it from working. I would reach out to them. They’re typically very responsive and also highly knowledgeable.

[@abuelocs6476]

Just wondering where you got the bushing for the 4th mounting point ?

[@midwestbmw1292]

It comes with the SLG kit. It’s not required to be used but it adds another mounting point which is probably good on higher power builds.

[@abuelocs6476]

@@midwestbmw1292 bro thanks for answering so damn fast and gotcha

[@abuelocs6476]

Btw amazing car

[@dcs-motorsport]

What happened to this guy? These videos was awesome

[@midwestbmw1292]

I’m right here bro.

[@dcs-motorsport]

@@midwestbmw1292 we need some new content man! I loved you’re videos

[@NobleTruth786]

The link no longer valid do u have a new link

[@zangna]

When is part 2 coming?

[@midwestbmw1292]

As soon as I can get the car into my exhaust shop to get it modified. I had two other issues that I’ve had to address first and I’ll cover those on the next video. I’m hoping to get it wrapped up in the next week.

[@zanmasterr]

Hey do you ever get any vibration at super high speeds?

[@midwestbmw1292]

Yes. This modification isn’t for the person who wants luxury car manners. This is for putting the power down while also holding up to high power output. It clunks, it vibrates and it makes noises that can be somewhat unnerving. However it does what it’s designed to do flawlessly IMO. I think there are ways to mitigate some of the noise and vibration, such as bushing and mount selection, but otherwise be prepared for a more raw experience.

[@zanmasterr]

@@midwestbmw1292 ah man yeah I’m single turbo I’d like to top out for once it vibrates like a lot once u reach 100mph 140 was tooo much I didn’t trust it going 170mph, it sucks that u can’t do that smh. Thx for your reply

[@zanmasterr]

@@midwestbmw1292 also can it be the alignment

[@MrAhmed1602]

@@zanmasterr Same problem here, ordered stiffer bushings and will see how it goes. Which bushings did you use for the Subframe and diff?

[@riseandshinedetailing9658]

Waiting for my axles to come in. Then, I can install this also. How you liking it? Any issues so far?

[@midwestbmw1292]

Awesome news man! I haven’t had the car on the road yet and I literally just put it on the ground for the first time yesterday. I have the exhaust off and need to get it modified. I’m not sure what exhaust you’re running but be aware that you may need to make adjustments to it. I’m using the factory BMW performance exhaust and it rubs (more like presses) against the inner axle boots and the back of the driveshaft. No way it could be driven like that.

[@riseandshinedetailing9658]

@@midwestbmw1292 I’m running the stock 335i exhaust with the Remus Axle back. Hopefully that’ll clear with no issues. Keep us up to date once you get it on the road and drive it .

[@midwestbmw1292]

@@riseandshinedetailing9658 will do!

[@bennypauline7678]

What's up big bro! What lower shock mount are you running on those Ohlins? Do you have upgraded upper mounts also?

[@midwestbmw1292]

@@bennypauline7678 I’m using AKG spherical bearing lower rear shock mounts and 3DM Motorsports own Polyurethane upper rear shock mounts.

[@mon3pit]

This is an amazing build.. are you social media by any chance that way Ior we can follow you as well

[@midwestbmw1292]

Thank you! Yeah this build is just getting started. It’s going to be a top notch E92 build when it’s done. I’m on Instagram @zerolag335is.

[@260bossute]

So having solid axles doesn't do squat difference for driveshaft strength and actually just gives you a bunch of extra inertia. What makes the biggest difference is the diameter.

[@midwestbmw1292]

A solid rod has greater relative strength compared to a hollow rod of the same diameter and material. The G Force axles in this kit are a greater diameter and relative strength vs the factory axles. Yes there is more inertia due to the increase in weight but the increase in strength was the aim here. Moreover what sets these axles apart from the factory axles is the inner and outer joints. That’s where the majority of the strength gains are made. All that being said I was somewhat disappointed when I saw just how much more heft the G Force axles have. The peace of mind has been worth it however.

[@260bossute]

​@@midwestbmw1292 The increase in Torque capacity of the solid shaft is marginal at best. Take a 1 inch shaft and hollow it out to 0.5 inch inner radius. You will find it can take 93.75% of the maximum torque applied to an equivalent solid shaft. This is a text book example of what they teach in mechanic of solids mate and can be easily proved with a few lines of math on a piece of paper. You can take this further, and go per unit length and find that the hollow shaft weighs 75% of the solid shaft.

[@midwestbmw1292]

@@260bossuteCool. Take it up with the engineers at G Force. I’m sure they’d love to split hairs with you. You seem to have missed the point as to why I bought this kit and why these axles are a part of it. At my power levels the stockers break. These won’t… Could G Force have made them your way? Sure. Guess what? I’d have bought them your way, too, if they were rated to 1200 whp.

[@260bossute]

​@@midwestbmw1292It is hardly splitting hairs and I am sure they already know this if they are professional engineers. Don't get me wrong, I am not hating on your kit, it was just the misrepresentation of component design and physics at play which triggered my comment.

[@midwestbmw1292]

@@260bossute I represented the axles the way they were represented to me by both SLG and GForce. Like I said, take it up with them. Or, here’s an idea, make your own video on the axles and show everyone on the internet how smart you are. Hell, even link my video as proof of how dumb everyone else is on the subject. Solid axle shafts are stronger, even if it is only marginally. The outer and inner joints are the real selling points on these units anyway, as I’ve mentioned. Man, talk about can’t see the forest for the trees.