Any E36 experts in here?
Discussion
Hi All,
I've just bought an E36 318 with a 325 engine in, coilovers, adjustable top mounts, and a welded rear diff...
I picked it up cheap as a mate had stuck it in a roundabout, so while i'm replacing the front arms, is there any worthwhile upgrades to improve the chassis?
We are wanting to swap out the welded diff for an LSD, but I can't stretch to an M3 rear diff, if anyone has part numbers of diffs that should fit, that would be ace.
Any advice in general? Building the car to do both track and drift days, while keeping road manners.
I've just bought an E36 318 with a 325 engine in, coilovers, adjustable top mounts, and a welded rear diff...
I picked it up cheap as a mate had stuck it in a roundabout, so while i'm replacing the front arms, is there any worthwhile upgrades to improve the chassis?
We are wanting to swap out the welded diff for an LSD, but I can't stretch to an M3 rear diff, if anyone has part numbers of diffs that should fit, that would be ace.
Any advice in general? Building the car to do both track and drift days, while keeping road manners.
E30 front wishbones (straight swap, stronger balljoints) with E30 M3 eccentric rear bushes, poly rear trailing arm bushes etc.
Only LSD's on these were the 3.15 from the 325i and 3.0 M3 - same diff, different prop flange and the 328i LSD, 3.07 for autos and 2.93 for manuals. Generally only fitted to non ASC equipped 328i Sports so good luck finding one. Expect to pay around 300 quid for one.
Only LSD's on these were the 3.15 from the 325i and 3.0 M3 - same diff, different prop flange and the 328i LSD, 3.07 for autos and 2.93 for manuals. Generally only fitted to non ASC equipped 328i Sports so good luck finding one. Expect to pay around 300 quid for one.
If you can track one down (breakers are always a good bet), get the x-brace from a convertible fitted, easy job to swap the single strut for one.
You'll need the nut inserts, easily available from BMW and the bolts, but that's it.
Also have a look for this book, used it alot re mine (see profile).
http://www.101projects.com/bmw/
You'll need the nut inserts, easily available from BMW and the bolts, but that's it.
Also have a look for this book, used it alot re mine (see profile).
http://www.101projects.com/bmw/
iSore said:
E30 front wishbones (straight swap, stronger balljoints) with E30 M3 eccentric rear bushes, poly rear trailing arm bushes etc.
Only LSD's on these were the 3.15 from the 325i and 3.0 M3 - same diff, different prop flange and the 328i LSD, 3.07 for autos and 2.93 for manuals. Generally only fitted to non ASC equipped 328i Sports so good luck finding one. Expect to pay around 300 quid for one.
Cool, not ordered wishbones yet so will get the E30 ones.Only LSD's on these were the 3.15 from the 325i and 3.0 M3 - same diff, different prop flange and the 328i LSD, 3.07 for autos and 2.93 for manuals. Generally only fitted to non ASC equipped 328i Sports so good luck finding one. Expect to pay around 300 quid for one.
Is it worth getting the rose joint adjustable rear arms? its not going to see much salt.
ks up a first track day like going into the red on the first lap 
iSore said:
E30 front wishbones (straight swap, stronger balljoints) with E30 M3 eccentric rear bushes, poly rear trailing arm bushes etc.
Only LSD's on these were the 3.15 from the 325i and 3.0 M3 - same diff, different prop flange and the 328i LSD, 3.07 for autos and 2.93 for manuals. Generally only fitted to non ASC equipped 328i Sports so good luck finding one. Expect to pay around 300 quid for one.
I've not got an E36 yet, but from what I've been reading up, the E46 lower wishbones were the ones to have as they are slightly longer = more camber, or are they not needed with adjustable top mounts ?Only LSD's on these were the 3.15 from the 325i and 3.0 M3 - same diff, different prop flange and the 328i LSD, 3.07 for autos and 2.93 for manuals. Generally only fitted to non ASC equipped 328i Sports so good luck finding one. Expect to pay around 300 quid for one.
joe_90 said:
you need a medium carrier diff to fit to that car.. the m3 is large and will not work......
That's not quite true!The 3.0 M3 uses a 188 diff, the same size as the 328i diff so it will work.
The 3.2 M3 Evo uses a 210 diff and so would require more parts and effort to make it work but it can be done (it's just not worth the extra expense/effort over the 3.0 M3 diff).
Cooling system is known to be weak, and will get a workout on track, so suggest replacing the standard plastic impeller water pump with a metal impeller unit, also the plastic thermostat housing with an aluminium housing and new gasket, so might as well replace the 'stat at the same time. Also the expansion tank and cap can fail. Parts are cheap from GSF or ECP, but get the better quality ones not the cheapest.
My local specialist advised me that a small coolant hose under the inlet manifold tends to fail but that the main hoses tend not to.
Test the viscous fan to make sure it is working OK - should turn freely when the engine is cold but then engage and spin at higher speed when hot. The 'newspaper test' - a rolled-up newspaper will stop the fan when the engine is running but cold, but not when hot. Also check the radiator as these can fail at higher mileages, look for evidence of leaks (dried coolant trails) and bulging of the lower side of the rad.
For handling, bigger anti-roll bars, especially at the rear, to make the car a little more tail happy and adjustable? Usual mods are as stated E30 arms, poly rear trailing arm bushes, eccentric front wishbone bushes for more camber when steering, but consider if this is required if you already have more camber from the offset strut tops.
Engine, gearbox and diff. mounts can also wear so get these checked and polybushed if required.
My local specialist advised me that a small coolant hose under the inlet manifold tends to fail but that the main hoses tend not to.
Test the viscous fan to make sure it is working OK - should turn freely when the engine is cold but then engage and spin at higher speed when hot. The 'newspaper test' - a rolled-up newspaper will stop the fan when the engine is running but cold, but not when hot. Also check the radiator as these can fail at higher mileages, look for evidence of leaks (dried coolant trails) and bulging of the lower side of the rad.
For handling, bigger anti-roll bars, especially at the rear, to make the car a little more tail happy and adjustable? Usual mods are as stated E30 arms, poly rear trailing arm bushes, eccentric front wishbone bushes for more camber when steering, but consider if this is required if you already have more camber from the offset strut tops.
Engine, gearbox and diff. mounts can also wear so get these checked and polybushed if required.
4rephill said:
That's not quite true!
The 3.0 M3 uses a 188 diff, the same size as the 328i diff so it will work.
The 3.2 M3 Evo uses a 210 diff and so would require more parts and effort to make it work but it can be done (it's just not worth the extra expense/effort over the 3.0 M3 diff).
Yes, you are correct, but most about are the 3.2..so I just (for the sake of keeping it simple) went with that.. The 3.0 M3 uses a 188 diff, the same size as the 328i diff so it will work.
The 3.2 M3 Evo uses a 210 diff and so would require more parts and effort to make it work but it can be done (it's just not worth the extra expense/effort over the 3.0 M3 diff).
Ok folks! finally got underneath it.
Looks like it has a recon gearbox on it, it has the elliptical bushes and E30 arms, and some broken bits...
So the adjustable rear arms are going on, and the roundabout broke the front coilover, so that has been repaired but the full set is getting replaced.
there is no throttle pedal, just a bar? so i need to sort that out, and I cant get my foot on the throttle without hitting the plastics, so those are going in the bin...
I'll chuck a picture up in a bit.
Looks like it has a recon gearbox on it, it has the elliptical bushes and E30 arms, and some broken bits...
So the adjustable rear arms are going on, and the roundabout broke the front coilover, so that has been repaired but the full set is getting replaced.
there is no throttle pedal, just a bar? so i need to sort that out, and I cant get my foot on the throttle without hitting the plastics, so those are going in the bin...
I'll chuck a picture up in a bit.
E46 wishbones bugger up the geometry so don't bother. They also have non replaceable balljoints and the rear bushes are squidgy oil filled ones. It really is a waste of time.
Z3 racks are way too much money and most of them are shagged out now due to the age. For 30 or 40 quid you can get a purple tag E46 rack, just as good really and there is a limitless supply as more E46's get scrapped.
Z3 racks are way too much money and most of them are shagged out now due to the age. For 30 or 40 quid you can get a purple tag E46 rack, just as good really and there is a limitless supply as more E46's get scrapped.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff