5 lug strut question, and what wheel?

[Cracker Red]

So my 84 318i nice stock daily driver project has officially snowballed into more.

M50 swap, manual conversion, and suspension work.

Why I'm doing a 5 lug swap....I really don't know. M50 is planned to be the daily motor, but I WILL grow tired of it. Since I have no problem fabbing a manifold, waay on the horizon there is boost in the future.

I scored a deal on M3 spindles (thanks bimmerworld!), M3 hub/discs/calipers, and 96+ M control arms. I've found a set of blown struts, but the guy wants $100 for them...which is a bit much seeing as though they will need inserts right away.

I understand that E30 springs will fit over M3 struts, but how will the IE stage 3's work on a factory strut (prolly like shit). Other option is to use the OEM spring (m3)/strut assembly until I can afford the inserts (how will the ride height be? Of course, I can just wait to do the 5 lug until I can do the inserts as well (probably best course).

Scored a set of koni's for the rear, and a complete 318ti rear suspension setup.

Now..... is there a 16" wheel that will fit over e36 m3 brakes, or am I forced to go to a 17" ?

I think I've done my homework on the proper components to do the 5 lug and center the wheel, but if I havn't please correct me so I can do it right the first time :)

- EDIT - I'd either get a blown strut and do the insert, OR A good strut to use with lowering springs/OEM springs. I didn't specify.

[Aptyp]

I think I've done my homework on the proper components to do the 5 lug and center the wheel, but if I havn't please correct me so I can do it right the first time :)

you did what I used to do in high school... write essays based on cliff-notes.

[Cracker Red]

I figured it was easier to answer the question when all the information was provided.

[Aptyp]

you're right

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=132194
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=85648
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=131650
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=92256

also, you may notice a pattern. These threads have the most replies in this section

[Cracker Red]

Perhaps actually reading the questions in my post would be better than just assuming that I'm looking for someone to list the 5 lug swap components.

Here are the 2 questions I asked:

Are there any 16" wheels that will clear E36 M3 brakes?

Will a stock M3 strut/spring combo have decent ride height (a bit lower than stock), or will a M3 strut work OK with aftermarket springs?

Those were my only 2 questions. I listed my 5 lug swap stuff just for someone to look over and make sure it was right. I learned about it by searching on this site, but there are plenty of differing opinions. I picked out what I thought/read to be works, and thought perhaps someone with experiance would either confirm what I wrote, or pick out what I did wrong.

Linking a bunch of posts doesn't really answer any questions that I've asked, especially when they are exactly where I got the info on the 5 lug swap from. My questions were about wheel fitment, and strut ability.

[xwill112x]

Will a stock M3 strut/spring combo have decent ride height (a bit lower than stock), or will a M3 strut work OK with aftermarket springs?

e30 m3 will be like a inch lower, a little stiffer. great for a dd, or someone with an ass tender attitude.

[Cracker Red]

It's actually a E36 M3 strut/spring combo that I was asking about. Ass-tender attitude LOL! :D

[xwill112x]

i meant that as a decent dd ride quality. lol

[Cracker Red]

Thought you were baggin' on me as a noob, and it was funny.

APTYP - I went back through your thread....for some reason it wouldn't let me on your site, but now it would. I do appreciate the info on NOT going straight to the 318ti complete TA, and I see why. I guess I mainly thought I was just being told to search about the wheel fitment over M3 (e36) brakes, and I have searched....quite a bit.

Anyway, great write-up on your site. That and the one here (silver e30 w/checked flag on hood) are both very informative.

[Aptyp]

in that case, in the first link... Stickied, nonetheless, second post answers your first question.
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...66&postcount=2
and your second question? You want to put lowering springs onto blown shocks for time being? Until you can afford otherwise?

DO IT. I doubt you'd win a Darwin Award, but it be a great way to be nominated.

[e30e]

There are a few 16" wheels that clear m3 brakes, but I can't name any.

[Cracker Red]

in that case, in the first link... Stickied, nonetheless, second post answers your first question.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=1435266&postcount=2

and your second question? You want to put lowering springs onto blown shocks for time being? Until you can afford otherwise?

DO IT. I doubt you'd win a Darwin Award, but it be a great way to be nominated.

I dunno where we got off on the wrong foot, but I never mentioned putting lowering springs on a blown strut. I mention either buying a blown strut and doing the insert ala your thread, or getting a good strut and either running it with the OEM M3 spring, or a lowering spring. I'll go back, maybe my first round wasn't clear. Sometimes the brain moves quicker than the fingers.

If those are the only 2 wheels that will clear, I suppose I'm looking at 17's :D

[hoveringuy]

I'm in the same boat as you and will say that the forums do not have all the answers, as well worn as this path seems to be. I wasted a lot of time with my 318ti rear calipers because I had a bad piston.

I'll be doing my rear subframe swap hopefully this weekend and will use the same sport springs I've been using all along with my 4 lug suspension. I'll let you know how it goes...

For wheels, I'm using DS2's. They look great and are proven to work.

My remaining issue is the spare tire... don't know if I will try to find a 17" steelie, use a full size or pack an M mobility kit (air compressor and latex slime). I think I will get a Griot's compressor, latex slime and a quality plug kit.