which rear subframe is best for 5 lug swap?

[flyboyx]

i finally got all the parts this week to complete my mz3 5 lug suspension. i will be running the car on the street with akg sub frame bushings and weld on adjusters when i get the chance to order them.

i happen to have the good fortune to have the space to store a few parts cars on blocks in the back yard of one of my rentals. my plan is to remove the sub from one of the parts cars and build it up so i will have a drop in unit when i am ready to do my swap.

i have the sub frame choices of an 87 vert, an 88 m3, and a 91 ix. i can get my hands on the sub from an mz3 but i don't even know if that one would fit an e30. i know i don't want to use the ix sub frame since it sets the diff up 12mm higher than a standard rwd car.

without asking the question, my gut instinct would tell me to use the frame out of the parts m3. does anyone have any suggestions or insight?

[george graves]

Someone asked about this a year or so ago - and I think the conclusion was that they are exactly the same - but I'll let others chime in. I don't think they did anything with that part. Did you check realOEM yet?

EDIT: Here is the thread I was thinking on - damn I have good memory. J-dog says that there is a difference - that the m3 unit is better - but I don't buy it. It seems as if the only difference is the exhaust hanger. I think realOEm might list their length 1mm apart, but I bet that's not 100% accurate. Here ya go:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=49877&highlight=subframe

[MR 325]

Keep your subframe, no need to swap it out.

Yes, the only difference on the M3 subframe is the dual exhaust hangers. From what I understand the MZ3 subframe will not fit.

[flyboyx]

thank you guys. i will give jordan a call tomorrow to see what his opinion is on the subject that he never responded to.

[Ray Smoodiver]

MZ3 is about 10mm too wide either side.

[Spaz]

thank you guys. i will give jordan a call tomorrow to see what his opinion is on the subject that he never responded to.

Let us know!
-Cam

[flyboyx]

Let us know!
-Cam

well, i talked to the man. he said only the exhaust hanger is different. i guess that other thread was several years old. who knows? i will probably just use the one from my parts vert as long as it isn't bent.

[george graves]

How are you going to determine if it's bent? Kinda hard to do I would guess.

[Teaguer]

How are you going to determine if it's bent? Kinda hard to do I would guess.

Jordo can sense if its bent and will send him a message telepathically.

[flyboyx]

How are you going to determine if it's bent? Kinda hard to do I would guess.

i was planning to lay it out on my welding table which i know is flat and take symmetrical measurements from it. probably wont be perfect, but i think i can measure to within two or three hundredths of an inch.

[MR 325]

well, i talked to the man. he said only the exhaust hanger is different.

Told ya so!!! ;)

[Unearth078]

if the mz3 subframe is too wide, then you only need the trailing arms?
i was under the impression the whole mz3 assembly would bolt up.

[Mossman]

can anyone confirm IX subframe putting diff up higher? Never heard this, don't really see why it would be so.