5-lug Setup

[BenM]

From what I've read the major difference is more camber was introduced with the '96+ Spindles.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1567076

I used '95 M3 Spindles with 96-99 M3 LCA's and Offset LCAB's, and my wheel is nicely centered although I should probably get some caster measurements to back that up. I am also running the BW Shim Kit (maxed out with all 3 shims) as well as GC Race Camber Plates set at 2.5, and I have approx. 3.5deg of negative camber.

[Aptyp]

thanks, e30guydownunder for answering questions. couldn't have done it better myself.

as a reward, another set of 16" wheels that work

[e30guydownunder]

Good info. Only reason I asked is because you can find them on ebay for a steal a lot of times.


So to answer my questions:

1.) Can you use 95 M3 Spindles with 96-99 M3 LCAs and LCA offset bushings? From my understanding is that the 95 spindles are a bit different than the 96-99.

No answer as of yet on this or maybe I just missed it somewhere. I know on the Aptyp site it says you can do e36 M3 as long as you use the 96-99 lca's and offset bushings but from other threads I have read it says, you can't do this because the spindles are a bit different (geometry wise).

3.) Can you use the rear setup out of a e36 M3 (96-99)?

Simple answer is no, unless you want to do fabrication.

4.) If you go with the e36 M3 front and 318ti rear, can you make a custom BBK kit setup like the porsche calipers combo? Rallyroad.net already makes adapters for e36 M3s and non-M3s for the porsche calipers, but from what I can tell is that they only make the F/R adapters for the M3s and only the Front ones for the non-M3s. Maybe they have non-M3 rears or maybe they are interchangeable.

No answer yet.

1. The later model M3 has slightly more caster and maybe a touch more camber built into the spindle. I have never tried to do a fivelug conversion so reserved comment. I don't see why it would be a problem, its just that the later stuff will help you get the wheel further forward in the guards, so maybe you can get away with a less aggressive offset LCA Bushing (yes there are differences).

4. I am unsure about the compatibility of non-M and M specs brakes with the rear suspension. The brackets will bolt on but the caliper and rotor spacing / offsets may not be correct.

[openthrottle]

E36 rear suspension is completely different to the E36 Compact (318ti) rear suspension and un-usable in an E30 without massive fabrication, however it has been done a few times.

Good info. Only reason I asked is because you can find them on ebay for a steal a lot of times.


So to answer my questions:

1.) Can you use 95 M3 Spindles with 96-99 M3 LCAs and LCA offset bushings? From my understanding is that the 95 spindles are a bit different than the 96-99.

No answer as of yet on this or maybe I just missed it somewhere. I know on the Aptyp site it says you can do e36 M3 as long as you use the 96-99 lca's and offset bushings but from other threads I have read it says, you can't do this because the spindles are a bit different (geometry wise).

3.) Can you use the rear setup out of a e36 M3 (96-99)?

Simple answer is no, unless you want to do fabrication.

4.) If you go with the e36 M3 front and 318ti rear, can you make a custom BBK kit setup like the porsche calipers combo? Rallyroad.net already makes adapters for e36 M3s and non-M3s for the porsche calipers, but from what I can tell is that they only make the F/R adapters for the M3s and only the Front ones for the non-M3s. Maybe they have non-M3 rears or maybe they are interchangeable.

No answer yet.

[e30guydownunder]

E36 rear suspension is completely different to the E36 Compact (318ti) rear suspension and un-usable in an E30 without massive fabrication, however it has been done a few times.

[openthrottle]

Couple of questions:

1.) Can you use 95 M3 Spindles with 96-99 M3 LCAs and LCA offset bushings? From my understanding is that the 95 spindles are a bit different than the 96-99.

3.) Can you use the rear setup out of a e36 M3 (96-99)?

4.) If you go with the e36 M3 front and 318ti rear, can you make a custom BBK kit setup like the porsche calipers combo? Rallyroad.net already makes adapters for e36 M3s and non-M3s for the porsche calipers, but from what I can tell is that they only make the F/R adapters for the M3s and only the Front ones for the non-M3s. Maybe they have non-M3 rears or maybe they are interchangeable.

[Aptyp]

with m3 hubs, you can run e46m, z3m and z4m staggered wheel setup. Harder to find wheels than you think.

[fporro]

Do rear bearing job and simple add E30 M3 flanges,
Seem them as low as $156 ea + bearing.

Then you can buy 8 series rear calipers and rotors.

[eta1987]

I am in the middle of doing my rear swap. Since I am swapping an 89 model car, I guess I can't just use the 318ti hubs and brakes I have? When I took the hubs off of the 318ti axle and tried to put it on the e30 axle, the splines were not the same. I can not slide it on. So i'm guessing i need to swap the whole trailing arm assembly like it says in Aptyp's writeup. My question is then, if I have to use the 318ti axle with the 318ti hub, will the diff side of the axle bolt to my 3.73 e30 diff flanges?

[Aptyp]

wow, very nice

[fporro]

spent a little time at local yard, found a passanger side e46 setup and test fitted to e30

had to use e30 upper perches and tower, looks fine but offset grew, easy to see.

...

[Aptyp]

I run 7.5 ET20 rim and 205/55 tires were scrubbing too much.

[CrAzY_DrIveR]

RH 7j 15 inch et13 RH rims 205/55 r15 4x100 is very close to Azev A 16" ET20 7.5j 225/45 16" 5x120

[Aptyp]

I am running ET20 ans know of quite a few people, who run 16x8 ET20 wheels.

[AlpineM325]

wow so much for really low offset wheels huh? thanks guys!