Early 318i Suspension question, 45mm to 51mm swap

[mit7059]

So I recently bought a 1985 318i and right now it is bone stock. I'm planning on upgrading the suspension to Bilstein/H&R but I have 45mm strut housings. I know I can just buy 45mm Bilsteins but down the road I'd like to do an engine swap, so I'd like to use the 51mms. Do I need to do anything other than get some 51mm strut housings? Will everything bolt right in or will I need to swap anything else?

Thanks a lot.

[bmwm42]

all you need to do is buy them and put them in no difference

[reelizmpro]

So I recently bought a 1985 318i and right now it is bone stock. I'm planning on upgrading the suspension to Bilstein/H&R but I have 45mm strut housings. I know I can just buy 45mm Bilsteins but down the road I'd like to do an engine swap, so I'd like to use the 51mms. Do I need to do anything other than get some 51mm strut housings? Will everything bolt right in or will I need to swap anything else?

Thanks a lot.

It's been a while but if I remember correctly, early 318's came with solid front rotors right and rear drums. 325's came with vented front rotors and solid rear discs. You can get some 325 struts but you may also need the calipers. Might want to look into that.

[Roysneon]

When I had my early 318 from my research the solid rotors and small calipers will bolt up to the bigger struts, but if you can get them with the housings, the vented fronts would be a good idea just because there are more options for rotors.

I was going to swap my front to the 325/late model front brakes but I didn't get that far before it came off the road.

[Holland]

It's been a while but if I remember correctly, early 318's came with solid front rotors right and rear drums. 325's came with vented front rotors and solid rear discs. You can get some 325 struts but you may also need the calipers. Might want to look into that.

Shouldn't matter. I have an early 318 and I swapped to vented rotors on my 45mm housings.

[reelizmpro]

Right, I guess I figured he would want to upgrade to vented rotors in the process. Don't know if the 318i front caliper had a smaller piston or not.

[mit7059]

Thanks for the answers, theres a good pick and pull in San Antonio that I'm gonna to to on Monday, hopefully I can find everything there. I'm gonna try to swap out the front rotors and calipers as well, maybe if I'm lucky I'll be able to find everything to get rid of the rear drums too.

[mit7059]

While I'm down there I should probably replace all the bushings. For the rear I was thinking of going with the rev shift set, anyone have any recommendations for the front?