Any E36 experts in here?

Any E36 experts in here?

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Discussion

JB!

Original Poster:

5,254 posts

181 months

Tuesday 17th March 2015
quotequote all
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.

JB!

Original Poster:

5,254 posts

181 months

Tuesday 17th March 2015
quotequote all
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.

Is it worth getting the rose joint adjustable rear arms? its not going to see much salt.

JB!

Original Poster:

5,254 posts

181 months

Wednesday 18th March 2015
quotequote all
Thanks!

Went for E36 front wishbones for cost (as I could get a "pack" with lots of items that are bent being replaced at once), but will upgrade to E30 or E46 if I need more lock. Did however buy adjustable rear arms to replace the bent standard one!

Trying to find an x-brace also.

JB!

Original Poster:

5,254 posts

181 months

Thursday 19th March 2015
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StuntmanMike said:
The E30 lower arms would be an upgrade the E46 one would not, Z3 steering rack, much better than E36 ones.
E46 supposedly give more lock, its already got rack spacers on though, so I don't know how much more I'll need until I start using it.

JB!

Original Poster:

5,254 posts

181 months

Wednesday 25th March 2015
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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.

JB!

Original Poster:

5,254 posts

181 months

Friday 27th March 2015
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New wing with super awesome fit and finish...



How it came:



The good bit:



Not so good:






Edited by JB! on Friday 27th March 13:42