e30 shocks into e36 M struts casings?

[etxxz]

So i have the e36 M3/318Ti 5-lug pretty much calculated and in order to keep the costs real low i was wondering if i could cut/modify e36 front strut casings, like i did with my e30 struts, and simply swap my e30 koni shocks and coilovers.

The question is, which e36 strut will take e30 shocks as far as inner diameter goes? and if so what about the coilover sleeve? In the case of the shock the same e30 strut mod will apply: cut/weld + inner spacer. And in the case of the sleeve, i have cosmo coilovers and the sleeve is actually a bit wider than the e30 strut. I surface welded on the casing so that it would fit snuggly and its held soundless for over a year of track.

Anyways i'd love for this to happen as it would mean a 5-lug swap with susepension from my current e30 (may it RIP) all under $500 (junkyard parts and no rims inc).


has it been done before?

[NC325iC]

i thought e36 struts/shocks were one piece deals i know the bilsteins i put on my grandfathers m3 were

[atomic]

i thought e36 struts/shocks were one piece deals i know the bilsteins i put on my grandfathers m3 were

I was under the same impression as well. Ely has some he showed me last weekend, when I went down to pick up some parts from him, and they were one piece units...

[Dave]

There are some e36 M3 strut housings that use a tube/insert like the e30.

[etxxz]

^^ they don't necesaraly have to be M3 casings you know. just as long as they bolt up to the M3 hub/spindle. I've been under the impression that the stock casings had a collar nut/inserts like you say, unlike all of the aftermarket units i've seen.

[e30_325es]

I believe e36 Koni struts are actually inserts, but I believe you need the hardware to re-bolt them back in. I don't believe they have the same part number as e30 inserts.

[Mossman]

Only Konis as far as I know use the cartridge setup, but you have to drill a hole in the bottom of the stock strut and the konis are threaded for a big ass bolt to hold the insert down. Your e30 inserts have no such threaded hole, and who knows if they're the right length of width. basically no.

[e30_kid89]

So i have the e36 M3/318Ti 5-lug pretty much calculated and in order to keep the costs real low i was wondering if i could cut/modify e36 front strut casings, like i did with my e30 struts, and simply swap my e30 koni shocks and coilovers.

The question is, which e36 strut will take e30 shocks as far as inner diameter goes? and if so what about the coilover sleeve? In the case of the shock the same e30 strut mod will apply: cut/weld + inner spacer. And in the case of the sleeve, i have cosmo coilovers and the sleeve is actually a bit wider than the e30 strut. I surface welded on the casing so that it would fit snuggly and its held soundless for over a year of track.

Anyways i'd love for this to happen as it would mean a 5-lug swap with susepension from my current e30 (may it RIP) all under $500 (junkyard parts and no rims inc).


has it been done before?

PM me for details.

[Aptyp]

HA, finally something I know better than others. E36 M3 front struts are sealed, but they are the same diameter as e30 strut housings.

Trick is to take the e36 strut apart by unbending the tops, and remove the insert. Be careful as it is pressurized, and you'll get fluid every where. E36 strut insert in the housing is 16" long, but e30 is 17. What you'd have to do is weld on +1" that has the thread. Tha would eb a way for you to do it. I am shortening my suspension so I am using IX Bilsteins, they are 14" long, so I got to weld on 2" less.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

And will totally make a DIY post in this section with pics, when i'm done (no trailing arms yet).

[etxxz]

^^ e30_kid pm'd me some details that are basically what you are saying. i could see it done, specially since i already cut/shortened my e30 struts. I did missed on my oportunity, some poor bastard took my spindles!

Thanks peoples i'll keep you all posted i'm going to do it.

[dude8383]

I'm very interested to see where this goes...

I purchased E30 Koni adjustables and may be picking up E36 front shocks with spindles...

I would really hate to return the inserts and shell out even more money for the E36 units.

[PiercedE30]

This is one reason I went with E30M3 stuff.

[etxxz]

^^ i'll be spending around just under 700 for this conversion with all the new hardware, rotors, pads, full suspension (from current e30) etc...the only reason i am 5-lug is for the brakes and wheels, i'm poor so this is the way to do it.

btw there is a writeup coming, the 'mod' is much easier than you think.

[dude8383]

^^ i'll be spending around just under 700 for this conversion with all the new hardware, rotors, pads, full suspension (from current e30) etc...the only reason i am 5-lug is for the brakes and wheels, i'm poor so this is the way to do it.

btw there is a writeup coming, the 'mod' is much easier than you think.

Thank goodness because I want to go 5 lug!

[rkettner]

i have two sets of e36 m3 struts and they are both supposed to be non-serviceable.

i'd love to open them up for new inserts and then put ground control coilover springs on there with adjusters.