E36 5 lug swap WITH DETAILS!!!

[E30-323ti]

Well I've finished the E36 5 Lug swap.

I have written the details in a web page (rather rough) as no-one else seems to share any details on their swaps.
I will be updating it next week after my 2nd wheel alignment with the strut tops.

I have written down all the info and will be adding more pics next week also.

Any Q's, post em up!!!

BTW, I did this swap, by myself (incl. sourcing all the parts), didn't pay any one to do it, or buy a "kit", So I know EXACTLY what bits were used.

http://www.ubersaloons.co.nz/uber3/5lug.htm

[Bryson]

does your car have ABS? What did you do about that? Just space out the sensor? How far..

[JPbmw]

thanks for sharing this. ;)
pics dont work.

[E30-323ti]

does your car have ABS? What did you do about that? Just space out the sensor? How far..

No ABS.
Wouldn't be a problem though, the ABS Sensor from the E30 should bolt into the E36 hub fine.

JPbmw: Pics work fine for me (from home(safari) & work (mozilla) but not in ie6, weird)

[nickmp0wer]

how much did it cost you?

[Bryson]

does your car have ABS? What did you do about that? Just space out the sensor? How far..

No ABS.
Wouldn't be a problem though, the ABS Sensor from the E30 should bolt into the E36 hub fine.

JPbmw: Pics work fine for me (from home(safari) & work (mozilla) but not in ie6, weird)

oh it lines up fine, but they are different length sensors

[JPbmw]

how much did it cost you?

[E30-323ti]

Sorry, didn't see that post.

$900nz for the E36 front hubs & complete trailing arms.
$600nz for the brand new 97 M3 control arms
$200nz for the offset CAB's
$1700nz = $1200us

The only thing not listed is the front shocks & strut tops as there is a large variety to choose from.
I went for Koni Coil overs for the front, and Porsche BBK, so they bumped the cost up a bit.

[Jason89i]

e36 5 lug abs sensors

just completed the 5 lug e36 swap. just thought i would pass along some additional info.

The abs sensors on the e30 are different than the e36 and z3. The z3 rear abs sensor is shorter than the e30. The e36 front sensor is longer than the e30. Front solution: Splice in the e36 sensor to the e30 wiring. Rear solution: I used the e30 abs sensor along with some nylon washers drilled out to fit the sensor. This pulled the abs sensor out of the hole to the exact measurements of the z3 unit. See attached pics. (please note that the z3 rear trailing arm has an old rust 325 rotor on it.....not the z3 specific rotor yet.)

For the Front suspension, I used the e36 m3 front bilstein sport struts.....with the offset e36 bearing caps (modified). I ground the studs off the bearing cap, drilled new holes in desired location, tack welded some bolts into the holes. My front camber was almost dead zero. I was hoping for a little negative camber so I added some thick washers to the lower strut-to-knucke. Now im at -1.5deg.....little too much. I will probabily reinstall some thinner washers. See attached pics.



Wheel seems to be centered nicely within the wheel well. I used 97+ E36m3 control arms, e30m3 offset bushings, e36m3 bilstein sport struts, e36 325 knuckles brakes bearing hubs. See attached pics of different wheel positions.

I used the Z3 rear trailing arms. You must use the z3 rear caliper and rotor (e36 stuff wont work.) The rear brake lines need modifications. I opted to use the e30 upper stainless brake hose and bend the solid z3 brake line to work. See attached before and after pics.

I also installed the eccentric rear trailing bushings. Eccentric bushings cost about $45 for a pair from the dealer. Installed on inboard side of trailing arm to help correct camber. I got the camber closer to factory specs. This is a daily driver / DE car, so i need some comprimises.

Here are my alignment specs:
front camber:-1.5 deg
front caster: 9.8 deg
My caster is still WAY out of line. Its around 9.8deg. Anyone have some good solutions? Can caster plates be installed to get back into specs?

If anyone knows how to attach pics, please let me know. THANKS SEAN
HERE ARE THE PICS.

[Sean]

Re: e36 5 lug abs sensors

If anyone knows how to attach pics, please let me know.

If you want to send them to me, I can host them for you.

shayes at onewest dot net (I hate spam ;) )


I'd love to see some pics of this all completed! :)

[JPbmw]

Re: e36 5 lug abs sensors

shayes at onewest dot net (I hate spam ;) )

LoL

[Sean]

Well, I do!! LOL :D

Click here to see his pictures.

Enjoy. ;)

[Skafrog]

Re: e36 5 lug abs sensors

Jason, my camber on my 4 lug e30 is 9 degrees with e30 m3 offset CAB's. (FWIW).
9 Degrees is normal.

[alex]

Re: e36 5 lug abs sensors

Jason, my camber on my 4 lug e30 is 9 degrees with e30 m3 offset CAB's. (FWIW).
9 Degrees is normal.

Camber? 9 degrees?
Does your car look like this?

2 ______
o/______\o
(oo=00=oo)
/ /=======\ \

Did you mean caster?

[Jason89i]

Re: e36 5 lug abs sensors

Jason, my camber on my 4 lug e30 is 9 degrees with e30 m3 offset CAB's. (FWIW).
9 Degrees is normal.

I spoke too quickly.......my caster is at 9.8 deg. Ultimately if I could get it between 8.5 and 9 i would be very happy. Should i use caster plates or redrill mounting holes? Thanks, Jason