Messages

1

Suspension / Considering a Bilstein shock, H&R spring setup

« on: December 13, 2011, 11:48:38 PM »

Depends on your age and what kind of ride/comfort level you want.

I have a S52 E30 with yellow Bilsteins and H&R OE sport springs. Even with all the extra weight of the S52 holding down the front end, the Bilsteins are way to stiff for me. Sadly, the suspension is an E36 5-lug and the strut choices are very limited.

When I find the right 318is slicktop, I will be running sport springs and KYB struts/shocks for a cushier, more compliant ride.

Good luck with your choice.

2

Engine + Driveline / M42 Head Bolt Choice

« on: March 04, 2011, 01:50:06 AM »

Can't help you except to say that the metric blue bolts (of which I own a set) were briefly the hot ticket in about 2006 for turbo M20's. Soon fell from favor, and I believe most M20 builds are now using the ARP or raceware studs. So scratch the metric blues from your list and press on. Good luck with your build!

3

Engine + Driveline / Swapping a small case diff to a large case diff?

« on: March 04, 2011, 01:46:39 AM »

Identical output flanges.  The medium case is fatter, but the output shafts are shorter to compensate.

Check mine out:
http://s729.photobucket.com/albums/ww299/desktopdave/Diff%20Job/

325is medium-case 3.73 LSD on the left; worn out 318i 4.10 open on the right.
The only item that was different was the vehicle speed sensor.  Swap the sensors, or if you strip the little 10mm bolts (like I did) splice the donor car's connector into yours.  Also note that the iS has a far heavier rear mount.  It's solid & adds a tiny bit more road noise.  However, it won't wear out.

Thanks for that - but I'm being dense here; the flange-to-flange width is the same for both diffs?

4

Engine + Driveline / Swapping a small case diff to a large case diff?

« on: March 03, 2011, 10:21:23 AM »

Do the axles bolt up, in other words same axles between 318i and 325i?

5

Engine + Driveline / Swapping a small case diff to a large case diff?

« on: February 25, 2011, 08:45:14 PM »

I did a medium case 3.73 LSD from a 325i.  Fits perfectly, just had to bend the little sheet metal tab for the rear diff mount a bit.

From what I've found, the large case (e34 535i, M5, 540i, e32 735i, e38 740ietc.) will not fit at all.  The e30 M3 ran a modified medium case diff.  What I'm calling a medium case might be what you're calling a large case though.  The small case, stock on M42s and M10 e30's has six cover bolts.  The medium case has eight bolts on the cover, and it's shared with many of the smaller e28 M20 cars.  There are detail differences in the cases though.  M30 diffs will not work, too big.

Do you have to replace the axles, driveshaft, or other parts to 325i stuff, or just the diff itself?

6

General Topics / 4-door slick top?

« on: January 03, 2010, 04:02:26 PM »

There are a few out there. The only ones I have seen, less than 5, have all been 318's. Just weld the roof shut. Worked for me.

Thanks for the suggestion - That's a possibility. There are good write-ups on other forums for removing all the motor, tracks, frames, etc., splitting the sunroof open, then welding just the exterior sheetmetal skin in place and filling the gap prior to paint. Then you have to deal with the headliner. Removes roughly 40 pounds from the top of the car, which is huge, and of course does not leak. A nasty job if you want to go for maximum weight reduction.

I don't weld, and need a clean shell anyway, so I thought it would be a lot easier to start with a slicktop and avoid all that.

By 318's, do you mean only the 1991 models, or did some of the older M10 cars come in slicktop?

7

General Topics / 4-door slick top?

« on: December 31, 2009, 12:43:36 AM »

Did the USA ever get a non-sunroof (slick top) E30 4-door sedan? If so, which years/models? Anybody have an immaculate example they want to get rid of?