E36 front sub frame will fit?

[bimmer630]

I'm doing an S50 swap and I noticed my passenger side motor mount bracket is broken of the subframe. I know people Weld reinforcements on these things but my question is will a e36 subframe fit in my car and if so are they reinforced any better than e30s? I have access to both an e30 and e36 one but the e36 is already removed and sitting at this guys house

[rongineer13]

Nope...E36 subframes are about 1" wider, and the motor mount holes are moved to the back side of the car...about 8" back if I remember correctly. So that would put your engine inside of your dash.

[bimmer630]

Oh ok cool. I thought I read in this section a while back that guys use them. thanks.

[rongineer13]

Many have tried and kicked around the idea, including myself. The best way to go in my opinion is to the get modified E30 subframe and 24v oil pan from a member here that makes them. Keeps the lower pan behind the subframe so you don't have that huge E34 pan hanging down inviting hard objects to break it!

[bimmer630]

I didn't know that that was an option. What does it look like

[rongineer13]

Well here is the thread of my friend (and boss)'s M3, there a nice under car shot of the S54 with the modified subframe and oil pan in the first post about 5 pictures down...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=208578

The same guy who made that subframe and mod'd pan now makes them for the other 24v swaps, here's the thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=241447

[bimmer630]

Ok this is all a bit more than I was talking about.. Super custom.. super high dollar im sure.

I just thought somebody a year or so back installed an e36 x member.. thats all..

I'll stick with my e34 pan. I do need to get a skidplate under it though

[rongineer13]

Haha quite understandable! It was under $1k I know that much, but the E34 set is the tried and true method. Good luck on the swap!

[E30-323ti]

I am pretty sure the E36 front subframe will bolt in.

Snags are:

• It uses M12 bolts not M10's like the E30.

• The tubes not match the chassis rails in the E30 (per above, to suit M12 not M10 bolts).

• As someone mentioned, the engine mount tabs are on the rear of the subframe,
  thus moving the engine through the firewall, and/or the E34 sump into the subframe.

• Has no provision for mounting the stock E30 Swaybar.

This car is using an E36 Subframe.

Pic for comparision: E30 top - E36 Bottom

[rongineer13]

Last I measured the two side by side, the E36 subframe was about 15mm wider than the E30 when measured center to center on the holes width wise. Although I could be tripping...

[bimmer630]

No worries, I found a spare E30 sub frame and installed the turner reinforcement plates. Its strong and it fits.