Turner "J Spec" and my E30.

[Mr. F]

Another Newbie here.... not to forums, just to the car thing. Im trying to learn as I go.... so please be patient with me.

I have an 89' E30 with an S50 under the hood. I didnt actually do the swap, a friend did because Im not mechanically inclined. Said friend also installed the Turner J Spec kit for a killer suspension system.

My question is: I want to convert to a 5 lug, but dont want to buy someone's complete kit. What should I be looking for to make the swap easier ?? Can I not just change out the wheel hub and be done??

[Farbin Kaiber]

prepare to toss out that stuff you have.

[Farbin Kaiber]

there is tons to look at in the 5 lug subforum. you can do e30 m3, or e36 parts for the swap, and you need ALL the brake goods too.

[Mr. F]

Ive been browsing the 5 lug section, but much of it is jibberish cause Im mechanically retarded. I was looking for the M3 stuff, but cant seem to find much of it. I do realize that its limited production.

So the J Spec and 5 lug wont work together, or some of the J spec parts dont? Sorry to sound so green....

[Farbin Kaiber]

Ok, quick primer, e36 (~1992-1998/9) has a 5-lug setup that can be installed, but you need to use parts from a ti (e36 hatchback) for the rear. there are all sorts of combos that can be put together going that route.

Then, the correct way, purchace complete front and rear e30 m3 suspension ( you can get the front strut assy's w/ brake equipment, and the rear trailing arms, also w/ brake equipment) the reason being is that the e30 components center the wheel properly, whereas the e36 stuff leaves it offset in the wheel arches.

[Teaguer]

Seems like the prudent thing to do would be to drop it off with your mechanically inclined friend who did the 24v swap and suspension and tell him to do what it takes to make it 5-lug .

And hwy is it that you want 5-lug ?
If your answer is better wheel choices be prepared to get kicked in the nuts .

[Mr. F]

found it... in the for sale(in a way I can understand it) section. Now I know...

holy crap, thats a lot of work for 5 lugs. I know its a stupid statement, but theres gotta be a better way.

[Mr. F]

Then, the correct way, purchace complete front and rear e30 m3 suspension ( you can get the front strut assy's w/ brake equipment, and the rear trailing arms, also w/ brake equipment) the reason being is that the e30 components center the wheel properly, whereas the e36 stuff leaves it offset in the wheel arches.

That is how I wanted to do it, but couldnt find the parts readily available. The J spec seemed like a good thought at the time, but now Im wondering...

[Farbin Kaiber]

found it... in the for sale(in a way I can understand it) section. Now I know...

holy crap, thats a lot of work for 5 lugs. I know its a stupid statement, but theres gotta be a better way.

Go buy a BBK, and wheels that are 4x100. Much easier way.

[Mr. F]

Seems like the prudent thing to do would be to drop it off with your mechanically inclined friend who did the 24v swap and suspension and tell him to do what it takes to make it 5-lug .

And hwy is it that you want 5-lug ?
If your answer is better wheel choices be prepared to get kicked in the nuts .

Its in his driveway as I type. Im the parts finder guy, and hes the wrencher. He keeps telling me he has to find the way to work it all out, but Im kind of impatient, and Im trying to learn...

Never mind the rest of it, WHEELS are hella cool. You could have a "tits" car and it dont mean nothing if you aint got nice wheels..... just kidding, like I care about wheels.

Im wanting to get the biggest brake kit possible, and (though you already know this) the 4 lug wont let me play the way I want to. Having siad that, who makes the best roll cage ?? Ive got one hell of a commute...

Heres the car.

[Teaguer]

..... just kidding, like I care about wheels.

Im wanting to get the biggest brake kit possible, and (though you already know this) the 4 lug wont let me play the way I want to. Having siad that, who makes the best roll cage ?? Ive got one hell of a commute...

You might be surprised in what is available as far as 4-lug brake set-ups .

[Farbin Kaiber]

Having siad that, who makes the best roll cage ?? Ive got one hell of a commute...

oh, one of those builds.

look up Massive Brakes, and toss some 17" on and call it a year.

[Mr. F]

I know it might seem like Im kidding, but this car is being build for the drive to work. I get to drive over a mountain pass every day, and Im kind of aggressive sometimes(all the time). On the car, I already have drilled/slotted rotors, good pads, steel lines and a brand new master. The pedal falls off about 4 miles into a 12 mile run pending what Im listening to....

[Farbin Kaiber]

well, when you go 5 lug, you need all new brakes, you can do the e30 stuff, and upgrade with e36 m3 brakes, but that's prolly a whole nother level too deep for you.

[Teaguer]

Thread failure.