Ready to do the 5 Lug

[MR 325]

It makes sense now, thanks for steering me away from using the wrong parts. Am I still ok to use the 92 e36 struts with the long sway bar links? That would be the only non-M part I am still using besides the springs and strut mounts.

You can use either M or non-M struts. No problem there. The only benefit to using M struts is they accept E30 springs as well. I can't say for sure on the sway bar links because I've always just kept them mounted to the control arm. Worst case scenario you could buy the adjustable links from Ireland Engineering.

[BenM]

The M Sway bar links (attach to the strut) provide better swaybar activation and really stiffen up the front from the Non-M links.

Another think to grab if you're still running the E30 strut mount is a BW Shim Kit.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e36-front-camber-shim-kit-p610.aspx

I ran these (all stacked together) with my old 5-lug setup (before GC camber plates and 5-lug bastard struts) and got 1.5-2 deg camber with the stock E30 strut mounts.

[JoeMadoo]

You CAN use E30 strut mounts with non-M E36 front struts/springs. I have done it. Please do not drill extra holes in your car.

As I am putting together the struts I see that the E30 strut mount is too small to slide over the e36 shock. I'm not sure how this would ever fit unless I bored out the strut bearing. Am I supposed to use E30 shocks as well as the springs and strut mount?

E30 Mount on the left and E36 on the right.

[MR 325]

As I am putting together the struts I see that the E30 strut mount is too small to slide over the e36 shock. I'm not sure how this would ever fit unless I bored out the strut bearing. Am I supposed to use E30 shocks as well as the springs and strut mount?

I have used E30 strut mounts on only E36 struts... I've used them on standard OEM E36 non-M struts, E36 M3 Bilstein Sport struts, and E36 M3 Tein coilovers.

[JoeMadoo]

Ok.. So how does it go on then? I can't even thread the nut on.

[MR 325]

You know what I just thought of. I always install new Boge/Sachs E30 front strut mounts. They have a larger opening which makes room for the larger E36 upper strut nut. You'll have to buy a new pair of E30 strut mounts.

[JoeMadoo]

Matt, I figured something along those lines. I went ahead and did the unthinkable...

Drilled one hole and rounded out the other. No big deal, the strut mount is still in the center. Using the E36 BavAuto springs as well.


E30 M3 Offset CABs installed.


Bolted up the E36 struts, M3 control arm, and M3 kingping.


Next on the list are the hubs and rotors, which I am going to buy new. M3 calipers I am hoping to get for $100 shipped. Stock e30 rack for now with new inner and outer tie rods.

[JoeMadoo]

Well the front half is finally rolling on 5 lugs. I'm pretty excited.

I grabbed a set of 16x8 Style 5's at the junkyard on half-off day to use as rollers. Unfortunately they are low offset (+20) and obviously my 5 lug swap needs a +41, but they actually don't look bad. Not a huge fan of the stretched tire thing but it's no biggie. I put some used 205/50s on them hoping they will tuck a little bit.

Here are some pics. The wheel is in the center of the wheel well, which is nice.

[JoeMadoo]

Some 5 lug porn

Here are some more images. Got the brakes installed except for the fluid.



Forgot to buy extra lugs, lol



Time for the rear! M54 z3 parts here. Taking the hubs and rotors. Wondering if anyone upgraded to the 280mm rear rotors compared to the z3/318ti's 272mm? I didn't know there was a difference until now. Seems pathetic compared to the front rotors.

[E30-323ti]

I've helped and seen a regular e36 front knuckle on a 5lug swap. I insisted that he used the m3 but he didn't want to pay extra. Even with m3 arms and treehouse high offset mounts, the caster was off.

It's not just where the control arm meets the spindle, the strunt ount is angled further back which gives you the proper caster for the swap. I'm your hard evidence

There is absolutely a difference in control arm mounting points between M and non-M spindles. I attempted to do a 5 lug swap on the E30 pickup without using the M3 spindle and the caster was terrible. The M3 spindle is an absolute must.

Geez you guys, getting your steering geometry terms all muddled.
Seems to happen routinely around here.

The Castor is defined by the angle between the Lower Ball Joint & the Upper Shock Mount.
Changing the spindles does nothing to that relationship.

What the late E36 M3 Spindles do (when used in an E30 5lug swap) is increase the 'mechanical trail' by rotating the spindles forward, thus better centering the wheel for those all important visual kudos.