Too much caster? THR+M3 offset arms...

[scott_is]

Will the wheels be pushed to far? Are the wheels going to
hit anything? Any downside to having a lot of caster?

This site says that its good to have a lot of it:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/default.asp?page=/faqsusp01.htm

but I will end up with a shit load of it so...

Potential setup -» regular e30 strut + M3 offset arms + THR lolipop

will also swap for a e36 rack if it mathers.

Reason for doing this:
My arms are shot, so are my CAB and I don't
have enough money right now to buy every-
thing I need to do the whole swap but I already
have the arms and the CAB.

I need comments/info/experience

also the car is a DD and its on 14" weaves

Scott

[jtb_29]

By m3 offset arms are you referring to e30 m3 Control arms or e36 m3 control arms?

[scott_is]

^^e36 m3 one^^

AFAIK e30 m3 ones are not offset

Scott

[jtb_29]

Haha exactly why I asked.

And to quote Jay from Ground Control:

Regarding the original poster, I don't think there is any combination of e30/e36 control arms that can gain more camber OR more caster. In fact, it is usually the opposite. (e36 arms and bushings less)

All e30 are the same, except for the aluminum e30M3 arms (not all years) that have the same geometry, but supposedly have a better ball joint. Geometry changes on e30s are done with the offset bushing which is teeny more caster and longer wheelbase, but the same camber.

Regular e36, all the 325 and 328 for all years, are WORSE than e30 arms because of the lame ball joint.

There are two e36 M3 arms. 1995 ONLY, and 1996-1999. The 1995 is exactly like the e30 in geometry etc., but also might have a better quality ball joint.

The 1996 -99 M3 is the unusual one out of the whole bunch, and is offset forward exactly the same as an e30 or 1995 e36 arm that is used with an e30 M3 (same as 1995 ONLY M3) so that BMW could put a soft bushing in there but retain the M3 geometry. there are other geometry change in 1996, but these are the ones that apply to e30.

and thats about it.

If you have offset 1996 M3 control arms with offset e30 M3 bushings, but with 325 struts, that might give you more camber.


Jay Morris

[Brian D]

http://www.rrtracing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=161

[scott_is]

Ok so on the performance side it looks like it can only be an upgrade.
But what I'm worried about now is the wheel hitting the body when
the wheels are almost at full lock...and will it look awkward? When
you look at the guys that did a 5lug swap without either the offset cab
or the offset arm, the wheels on their car is pushed back in the wheel arch and it looks wierd. Now I'm wondering if it will do the same on my car but the other way around, wheels pushed to far forward.

Scott

[NC325iC]

i rub on the front of my wheel wells with reg control arms and THR, so yes too much caster you will hit something with your wheel