Description
VTT F9X M5/M8 Differential Lockdown Kit
F90 M5 / F91 M8 / F92 M8 / F93 M8
VTT saw a major hole in the F9X M5/M8 market: there was no simple, lightweight, high-quality solution for positively controlling differential movement under hard launches, acceleration, and cornering without requiring extensive installation work or introducing the excessive NVH commonly associated with solid differential and subframe bushings.
So, as usual, we did something about it.
The VTT F9X M5/M8 Differential Lockdown Kit was engineered to positively locate and stabilize the differential while retaining the factory differential and subframe bushings.
The result is dramatically improved differential stability without dropping the subframe, removing the differential, moving the exhaust, or turning your M5/M8 into an NVH-filled race car.
Under a hard launch or aggressive acceleration, the tremendous torque being transferred through the F9X drivetrain attempts to move and rotate the differential within its factory mounting system. That unwanted movement can contribute to driveline instability, shock-load components, and place additional stress on the driveshaft, guibos, axles, and other drivetrain components.
The VTT Differential Lockdown adds a rigid secondary structure that ties the differential directly into the subframe through five mounting points, dramatically reducing unwanted movement while still allowing the factory bushings to provide NVH isolation.
Positive diff location. Minimal additional NVH. 1.5 lbs. Installs in minutes.
No subframe removal.
No differential removal.
No exhaust removal.
FIVE MOUNTING POINTS. POSITIVE DIFFERENTIAL CONTROL.
The VTT F9X Differential Lockdown doesn’t rely on a single additional mounting point to control a differential subjected to enormous drivetrain loads.
Our design utilizes:
FOUR mounting points directly at the differential
ONE additional mounting point at the subframe
This creates an extremely rigid structure that positively locates the differential and dramatically reduces its ability to move when subjected to hard launches, acceleration, deceleration, and cornering loads.
Controlling that movement helps stabilize the entire driveline and reduces unnecessary shock loading of the driveshaft, guibos, axles, and associated drivetrain components.
And because the Lockdown works with the factory mounting system rather than requiring solid replacement bushings, you can gain substantial differential control without sacrificing the refinement expected from an M5 or M8.
FACTORY BUSHINGS OR VTT BUSHING INSERTS — YOUR CHOICE
The VTT Differential Lockdown is designed to work perfectly with the factory differential and subframe bushings, so replacing the factory bushings is not required.
You get substantially improved differential stability while the factory rubber bushings continue doing what BMW designed them to do: isolate drivetrain vibration, noise, and harshness from the chassis.
But for customers who want to take differential control even further, we developed another solution.
VTT F9X Differential Bushing Inserts
The VTT Differential Bushing Inserts are designed to work together with the Lockdown Kit while retaining the factory rubber differential bushings.
Instead of completely removing the factory bushings and replacing them with solid or extremely stiff aftermarket mounts, the VTT inserts press directly into the open voids in the factory differential bushings.
Those voids are what allow a significant amount of bushing deflection and differential movement under load.
The VTT inserts fill that unused space, dramatically restricting bushing deflection and eliminating approximately:
90% OF THE FACTORY BUSHING MOVEMENT
The factory rubber bushing remains in place, allowing it to continue isolating drivetrain vibration and noise while the inserts dramatically reduce the amount the differential can move within the bushing.
This gives you a substantial increase in differential control without the excessive vibration, gear noise, and harshness commonly associated with completely solid-mounting the differential.
BUILD THE SYSTEM AROUND YOUR CAR
The VTT F9X differential stabilization system gives you multiple options depending on how aggressively you want to control drivetrain movement.
VTT DIFFERENTIAL LOCKDOWN + FACTORY BUSHINGS
Install the Lockdown and retain the factory bushings.
You get substantial additional differential support and positive location while retaining maximum factory NVH isolation.
VTT DIFFERENTIAL LOCKDOWN + VTT BUSHING INSERTS
For higher-power, drag-oriented, and aggressively driven F9X builds, combine the Lockdown with our Differential Bushing Inserts.
The inserts eliminate approximately 90% of the movement within the factory bushings, while the Lockdown provides additional structural support tying the differential into the subframe.
The two systems attack unwanted differential movement in different ways and are specifically designed to work together.
For customers who want maximum differential control while retaining the factory rubber bushings, VTT will also offer the components together as a:
VTT F9X COMPLETE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKDOWN BUNDLE
Keep the factory rubber. Fill the unwanted voids. Lock down the differential. Keep the car livable.
INSTALLS IN MINUTES
For the amount of additional drivetrain support the VTT Lockdown provides, installation couldn’t be much easier.
The system uses existing factory mounting locations, including a factory-provided hole in the subframe.
There is no need to:
- Remove or lower the subframe
- Remove the differential
- Remove or reposition the exhaust
- Press out factory bushings
- Permanently modify the vehicle
Installation of the Lockdown itself is extremely straightforward:
- Remove the four applicable differential bolts.
- Position the VTT Differential Lockdown.
- Install the supplied hardware at the four differential mounting locations.
- Install the supplied hardware through the existing factory subframe mounting location.
- Torque all hardware to specification.
That’s it.
An experienced technician can complete the Lockdown installation in approximately 5 minutes.
Even someone taking their time should typically be able to complete the installation in approximately 15 minutes.
No special tools. No dropping the drivetrain. No fighting with the exhaust.
For an upgrade that provides this much additional differential support, installation doesn’t get much easier.
ONLY 1.5 LBS
Adding differential support shouldn’t mean hanging a massive steel structure underneath the vehicle.
The complete VTT F9X Differential Lockdown weighs approximately:
1.5 LBS
The Lockdown is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, providing an excellent combination of strength, rigidity, and extremely low weight.
Each Lockdown is then anodized for corrosion resistance, long-term durability, and a clean finished appearance.
Available in three anodized color options.
WHY CONTROL DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENT?
Modern F9X M5/M8 builds are capable of producing enormous torque and putting tremendous loads through the AWD drivetrain.
Every time the differential moves excessively within its mounts, that movement has to be taken up somewhere else in the drivetrain.
Reducing that movement helps:
- Stabilize the differential under hard launches
- Reduce drivetrain movement during acceleration and deceleration
- Reduce shock loading through the driveline
- Reduce unnecessary stress on the driveshaft and guibos
- Reduce unwanted movement during aggressive cornering
- Create a more positively located drivetrain under load
The harder you launch the car and the more power you make, the more important controlling unnecessary drivetrain movement becomes.
FEATURES
- Approximately 1.5 lbs total weight
- Extremely fast 5–15 minute typical installation
- Four differential mounting points
- One additional subframe mounting point
- Five total points of differential support
- Positively locates and stabilizes the differential
- Dramatically reduces unwanted differential movement
- Helps reduce drivetrain shock loading during hard launches
- Helps reduce unnecessary stress on guibos and other driveline components
- CNC-machined 6061-T6 billet aluminum construction
- Uses existing factory mounting locations
- No subframe removal required
- No differential removal required
- No exhaust removal or repositioning required
- Works perfectly with factory differential bushings
- Works perfectly with VTT Differential Bushing Inserts
- VTT Bushing Inserts eliminate approximately 90% of factory bushing movement
- Factory rubber bushings remain in place for NVH isolation
- Designed to avoid the excessive NVH associated with solid-mount solutions
- Anodized for corrosion resistance and long-lasting appearance
- Available in three anodized colors
- Complete bolt-on installation
- All required Lockdown installation hardware included
KIT INCLUDES
- VTT F9X M5/M8 Differential Lockdown
- All Required Installation Hardware
VTT Differential Bushing Inserts are available separately or as part of the complete VTT F9X Differential Lockdown Bundle.
FITMENT
BMW F9X M5/M8 Platform
- F90 M5
- F91 M8
- F92 M8
- F93 M8
LOCK THE DIFF DOWN WITHOUT TURNING YOUR M5/M8 INTO A RACE CAR
Whether you’re launching an AWD F9X at the drag strip, putting serious power through the drivetrain on the street, or loading the chassis through aggressive cornering, controlling differential movement is an important part of keeping the drivetrain stable and predictable.
The VTT F9X Differential Lockdown gives you that control without dropping the subframe, removing the differential, moving the exhaust, or requiring solid differential mounts.
Run it with the factory bushings for maximum refinement, or combine it with the VTT Differential Bushing Inserts to eliminate approximately 90% of factory bushing movement while retaining the factory rubber.
Five mounting points.
1.5 lbs.
Minutes to install.
Factory-bushing compatible.
VTT Bushing Insert compatible.
Positive differential control.
Simple to install. Extremely effective. Engineered specifically for the F9X M5/M8 platform.
