Question on 5-lug REAR brake options

[Massive Lee]

This reply was for the guy who fitted front e36 M3 brakes to his e36.
For the e30, you have to shell out the dough and get a complete rear 318Ti kit to balance the front e36M3 brakes. Price is about $1200usd for a 310x32mm kit with Superlite calipers. Add $250usd for the handbrake shoes. ;-)

I am open to produce a small run at GB price for 5 kits.

[clavinZERO]

Simply get the e36M3 rear calipers, discs, backing plates and handbrake shoes...

Wait a minute, I thought this was not possible to mount on Z3 or 318Ti rear trailing arms?

[Massive Lee]

Simply get the e36M3 rear calipers, discs, backing plates and handbrake shoes...

[balooshinakus]

I don't suppose there would be a cheap way of doing this Lee? Maybe making some sort of adapter for the e36m3 rear caliper? I don't need racing calipers in the back and e36m3 in the front.

[bimmer630]

lotsa $$ though

[Massive Lee]

I do have a 310x32mm rear 318Ti kit. Which is the way to go if upgrading the front to e36 M3 spec. It also allows to to use the stock e30 160mm handbrake shoes.

Rear e36 M3 is 312x20mm, while the Massive kit is 310x32mm. Thicker for increased heat dissipation.

For e36 upgraded to front e36 M3 brakes, rear brakes indeed require upgrading too.

[bimmer630]

why not just slap these on the rear of your e30, since they work with Z3 and Ti trailing arms and of course match the 5 lug pattern.. http://www.massivebrakes.com/kits/e36/

It seems like you are talking about somebody running 5 lug E36m3 front end with the 4 lug still out back? (correct me if im wrong.. i may have misread your post)

[Massive Lee]

Sure will do. I have sevral clients competiting with front and rear Massive on their 4 lug e30. Ask Adam Nitti from Tennessee.

I have advocated for years that the front e36M3 and rear Ti swap was not appropriate because of the heavy front brake bias. People who swap to a front-only e36 suspension and brakes could still use the 332x32mm kit with slighly smaller pistons.

[clavinZERO]

I was actually thinking about one day converting to front/rear Massive kits so I could have a more appropriate bias from front to rear. Would that actually solve the bias issue?

[Massive Lee]

Lee, what would you suggest as a fix for those of us who have this setup? (e36M3 front with Z3/non-M e36 rear)

If you had an e36, I would have suggest to fit the complete rear e36 M3 brakes, with backing plates and handbrake shoes as the e36 has 160mm drums and the e36 M3 has 180mm drums.

But as you have an e30, the cheap fix would be doing what Hoveringuy did, and fit sticky rear pads. If you had some mullah, you could fit rear 280mm late Z1 discs and e30 M3 rear carriers. Or *cough cough* a rear 300x32mm Massive kit *cough cough*

[hoveringuy]

I removed the bias valve altogether.

Result is no difference in "normal" braking or wet braking.

During hard, dry braking the rear seems to engage better but the front is still locking.

Pedal may be a wee bit firmer, too.

I'm thinking the next step is a more aggressive rear pad. I'm open to suggestions, too!

I'm still very happy with this setup. It is a HUGE improvement over the stock brakes.

[clavinZERO]

Front e36 M3 and rear e36 is a very bad combination. Way too much front braking power. Compared to the front e36 M3, the rear set-up as smaller pistons and smaller discs. Not good. I suggest you simply ditch the fixed prop valve.

And yes, much stiffer springs equals to less weight transfer.

Lee, what would you suggest as a fix for those of us who have this setup? (e36M3 front with Z3/non-M e36 rear)

[Massive Lee]

Front e36 M3 and rear e36 is a very bad combination. Way too much front braking power. Compared to the front e36 M3, the rear set-up as smaller pistons and smaller discs. Not good. I suggest you simply ditch the fixed prop valve.

And yes, much stiffer springs equals to less weight transfer.

[hoveringuy]

The knee should be at 25bar (400psi) and only compensates for weight transfer of soft springs.

What are your front and rear pads?

Stock pads, as far as I know (front M3 stuff was dealer serviced with new rotors and pads). Rear, same.

Stiffer springs equals less weight transfer?

How does the math work out with M3 front and e36 rear?

[Massive Lee]

Anyone have the specs on the stock '90 bias valve for the rear? The Porsche guys swap them for units with a higher knee pressure.

My rear brakes (325is units) feel under utilized.

The knee should be at 25bar (400psi) and only compensates for weight transfer of soft springs.

What are your front and rear pads?