325ix front Suspension in Standard e30

[BMV8]

Hello All
I have what may sound like an odd question. Can the ix front struts and subframe be installed into an is chassis? I am aware that the strut tower geometry is slightly different but I am hoping the subframe mounting points are the same.
Why am I asking this? I had purchased the ix to do an LS swap but in the process of installing ground control coilover suspension (and I also purchased new wheels/tires for the ix offset) I found extensive rust through the chassis. Yah I know, should have looked first.
I plan to keep this car for a very long time So my choice now is to cut out and repair all the rust, which will probably come back to haunt me, or look for a better chassis. If I cant find a good ix, I wanted to find out if I can transplant the suspension I already invested in.And it also looks like the ix subframe will work much better for the LS swap as well.
Thanks for your input.

[AndrewBird]

RWD and AWD front suspension is VERY different. Some of it might "bolt up", but you wouldn't want to run it. The geometry would be all messed up I would assume.

[King Mufasa]

I would imagine having to remove the is strut tower for the ix it is still the same body architectural design. Why going for the trouble of a v8? Your killing the vehicle natural balance spirit.

Plus the hurdles of custom work.. Is it for snowy climate? If it is about competition you must take account of the parasitic draw and at the end of the day it's really about great traction control unit.

I'm still curious of the hurdles of a strut tower swap..

[AndrewBird]

LS engines are aluminum, so they actually weigh very close to an M20. Weight balance isn't much of an issue. And there are now a few companies selling motor mounts and other swap parts to do the job, so there isn't that much fabrication needed.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Hello All
I have what may sound like an odd question. Can the ix front struts and subframe be installed into an is chassis? I am aware that the strut tower geometry is slightly different but I am hoping the subframe mounting points are the same.
Why am I asking this? I had purchased the ix to do an LS swap but in the process of installing ground control coilover suspension (and I also purchased new wheels/tires for the ix offset) I found extensive rust through the chassis. Yah I know, should have looked first.
I plan to keep this car for a very long time So my choice now is to cut out and repair all the rust, which will probably come back to haunt me, or look for a better chassis. If I cant find a good ix, I wanted to find out if I can transplant the suspension I already invested in.And it also looks like the ix subframe will work much better for the LS swap as well.
Thanks for your input.

This thread tries to transplant iX suspension into an M3.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=235274

The strut tower geometry isn't just slightly different... it's inches different. The iX has something like 0.5 degrees of caster, while a standard E30 is well above that.
Will having a LOT more caster adversely affect the steering feel and ability of an iX? I don't know. I don't think the car in the thread linked above has turned a tire in anger yet.

Were you trying to go LS AND keep the AWD? TBSS oil pan?
That's not as easy as it looks. I'm working (slowly... because... it's not as easy as it looks) on an S62 iX swap using E53 X5 oil pan. It needs a custom cross member to get the stock crossmember out of the way and move the steering rack forward to clear the larger front diff.

[nando]

the answer is no.

/thread

[BMV8]

Hi all, thank you for the reply's and sorry for my delayed response. The first answer is if it goes ahead I would not keep the awe. The LS conversion would be 2wd.
Now that I am driving the ix with the ground control coil over kit. I find the steering very light. It certainly does not have the same feel as my previous 2wd e30's. I'm sure it's due to less castor. Does this sound familiar to anyone who has drive both models?

[BMV8]

One other thing I want to clarify. It would be the front subframe and struts only that I would want to mount into a non-ix chassis if I went that route. Would not want to try and move strut towers etc.

[nando]

There's no point. The ix struts are heavier, the geometry is all wrong, and without the cv shafts the bearings will roast themselves. You also get stuck with a slow rack and expensive control arms.

Since you want rwd anyway, just get a RWD e30 and cut your losses.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Hi all, thank you for the reply's and sorry for my delayed response. The first answer is if it goes ahead I would not keep the awe. The LS conversion would be 2wd.
Now that I am driving the ix with the ground control coil over kit. I find the steering very light. It certainly does not have the same feel as my previous 2wd e30's. I'm sure it's due to less castor. Does this sound familiar to anyone who has drive both models?

One other thing I want to clarify. It would be the front subframe and struts only that I would want to mount into a non-ix chassis if I went that route. Would not want to try and move strut towers etc.

Why do you want to do this?
Without keeping AWD, none of what you're talking about makes any sense.

[BMV8]

Thx for the great input

[The Dark Side of Will]

Thanks for your great question.

The AWD suspension geometry is different than the RWD in a number of ways, which may or may not be aligned with what you want to do.

What do you want to do?