4 to 5 lug conversion

**e30austin** · 01-30-2013, 04:32 PM

Spent the majority of the day working on my front suspension. I love how easy the E36 M3 stuff is to work on. Has a removable spindle (ie, the strut unbolts from the hub, etc) so that makes changing struts/springs cake work.

If you've ever removed front suspension, that's really all you need to do. E30/E36 M all bolts up with no modification. Even the rear isn't that hard. It's recommended that you drop the subframe and just do rear subframe bushings at the same time as the trailing arms ("while you're in there",) but you don't necessarily have to.

$1200 is roughly what my stuff ran. Obviously, if you buy good used struts, wheel bearings, brakes, etc, you can cut the cost down. My E38 style 5s were about $300 and tires were another $300, so total, about $2k. Worth it though. My E36 M brakes are fucking massive. Overkill? Maybe. Never hurts to have big brakes though, especially if you drive like an asshole!

Also, what I meant about using your E30 springs was that you run E30 springs all around, even if you use E36 front struts. They're the same size as E36 springs and will work. I wasn't trying to imply that you re-use your worn out 26+ year old springs :P

**AbeSonic** · 01-30-2013, 06:00 PM

You still didn't answer my question peanut lol

If you are going for a bbk, then yeah 5 lug is totally worth it. If you're doing it just for wheels, than maybe a adapters might be a cheaper alternative.

**e30austin** · 01-30-2013, 10:07 PM

Adapters are a very viable and easy solution if you're on a budget. It's really all a matter of personal preference. Not saying to go one way or the other, but obviously, I'm biased towards a full 5 lug set up.

OP, do whatever makes you happy :up:

**ebox86** · 01-31-2013, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by AbeSonic

You still didn't answer my question peanut lol

If you are going for a bbk, then yeah 5 lug is totally worth it. If you're doing it just for wheels, than maybe a adapters might be a cheaper alternative.

Yea i mean i think a BBK is kinda asking to be done with a mod like this. It had been in my mind when considering this. Going with the e32 25mm MC too.

Originally posted by Austin!

Adapters are a very viable and easy solution if you're on a budget. It's really all a matter of personal preference. Not saying to go one way or the other, but obviously, I'm biased towards a full 5 lug set up.

OP, do whatever makes you happy :up:

Well yea it does seem to be personal preference but i just wanted to make sure from some people that this mod, (when done properly) doesn't really screw up the car that much. My concern is alignment after its done, and rubbing.. I really want to do it, but i just have a gut feeling that its just a can of worms ready to pop open with problems after its done.

:-/

**mother_russia** · 01-31-2013, 09:08 AM

Here you go.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/3525458548.html

**ebox86** · 01-31-2013, 10:33 AM

well if im going to throw money at this car, it might as well be for performance boost, i might as well start saving for my S52 swap :-)

a la http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3580706792.html

**mother_russia** · 01-31-2013, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by ebox86

well if im going to throw money at this car, it might as well be for performance boost, i might as well start saving for my S52 swap :-)

a la http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3580706792.html

Dude shop around some more. That's a lot of money just for a motor and tranny. I'm sure you could find a better deal.

**ebox86** · 01-31-2013, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by mother_russia

Dude shop around some more. That's a lot of money just for a motor and tranny. I'm sure you could find a better deal.

Yea it is a lot of money, but honestly having not been in the S52/S50 market for very long, just though that was the going rate for one of these engines with the tranny. And in such good shape its in too.

Im not rushing out by any means to go pick one up just phishing for prices and availability really.

**EN318isPDX** · 01-31-2013, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by ebox86

Yea it is a lot of money, but honestly having not been in the S52/S50 market for very long, just though that was the going rate for one of these engines with the tranny. And in such good shape its in too.

Im not rushing out by any means to go pick one up just phishing for prices and availability really.

Offer him 2500 tops

**mother_russia** · 01-31-2013, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by ebox86

Yea it is a lot of money, but honestly having not been in the S52/S50 market for very long, just though that was the going rate for one of these engines with the tranny. And in such good shape its in too.

Im not rushing out by any means to go pick one up just phishing for prices and availability really.

For 3k, that's a little bit higher than the usual asking price. But you're right, it is clean.
Look, if you want the power, ask yourself if you want NA power or something that's boosted. Personally, I'd stay with the m20 and boost it. Next choice would be to get an m50/m52 and just boost that. But if you reaaaaaally want that "m3" NA power, go for the s50/s52. I just personally don't think it's worth it.

**ebox86** · 01-31-2013, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by mother_russia

But if you reaaaaaally want that "m3" NA power, go for the s50/s52. I just personally don't think it's worth it.

What do you mean by 'NA'? North America? And I'm assuming your talking about the money combined with the amount of work involved in doing the swap.

My preference would be to do something fun, and a swap seems like a fun project with the added benefit of that extra power.

I originally looked at the S52 for its horsies, its punching 240 out of the box, and then i can improve upon that. Can those type of stats be achieved with a boosted M20 with or without a chip? If so then i'd say just stay with my M20, do a boost and then my 5 lug....

idk, so many options!!! AHHHHH

**AbeSonic** · 01-31-2013, 11:39 AM

Welcome to your E30. I say you stay with your M20 and turbo it. Then you buy adapters so you can rock whatever type of wheels you want and still have it be a completely reversible mod, and freshen up your brakes with new fluid, stainless steel lines, hawk street pads and new rotors. /thread

**mother_russia** · 01-31-2013, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by ebox86

What do you mean by 'NA'? North America?

I originally looked at the S52 for its horsies, its punching 240 out of the box, and then i can improve upon that. Can those type of stats be achieved with a boosted M20 with or without a chip? If so then i'd say just stay with my M20, do a boost and then my 5 lug....

NA stands for naturally aspirated. Basically non turbo or non supercharged.

An m20 with a nice turbo setup and a nice tune could EASILY make 400 rwhp. I've seen these things get into 500+ horses. You just have to do it right. I'd honestly keep the m20, boost it, and get your 5 lug swap.

**mother_russia** · 01-31-2013, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by AbeSonic

Welcome to your E30. I say you stay with your M20 and turbo it. Then you buy adapters so you can rock whatever type of wheels you want and still have it be a completely reversible mod, and freshen up your brakes with new fluid, stainless steel lines, hawk street pads and new rotors. /thread

^^Or go his way as well. You'd save some money. Unless you REALLY want those m3 brakes.

**King Mufasa** · 01-31-2013, 12:23 PM

That's how it starts throwing money at it... Id buy a complete e30 with swap 5 lug and the works. Their are plenty of guys here with nice rides they would sell.

Dont be the money guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1zmCigsei4&NR=1&feature=endscreen

4 to 5 lug conversion

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