Author Topic: Project Insanity........ (Read 4780 times)

cwertman · « **on:** November 09, 2007, 06:56:37 AM »

I recently picked up a super clean 318ti 95 from an impound auction fo $300, someone had started to pull the radiator shroud fan etc. so I assume something was wrong or they were going to do a swap.

Well, being an american with a penchant for TOURQUE, I said hmmmmmmm that caddy 501 (501 CI 400 hp @ 4400 rpm 550 ft�lbf @ 3000 rpm bone stock ) sitting in my garage will fit in thier JUST right. Physically I have Dry fitted it (with an eldarado pan and pickup.) Fits fine. Exhaust is gonna cost me to have bent but hey.

My question (Pics to follow oif the 501 in place) is how much tourqe the rear end can handle ? I know I cant JUMP an IRS with that much HP and Tourque, not even my corvette liked that when it topped 500 hp, The engine weighs 30lbs less than an SBC by the way, as they used thin wall casting of a much latter design than the SBC

But how much abuse can these IRS units handle or am I better to scatter it with as much fun as possible and replace it with a narrowed 9 inch ? Does someone make a spool or mini spool,or crossmember for support so it dosent wrap ?

Also are these limited slip ? I cant find any specs on just the rear.

Sorry to all the purists for Americanifiying a BMW

Last 501 swap I did was on a 1986 Cutlass, ran 12 flat, every time, this I have an idea is going to more of a tire burner.

BTW all underhood parts are for sale...... if you need something lemme know.

Thanks

Chris

jpod999 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2007, 09:27:11 AM »

Wow! What a project.

I'm not sure how much horsepower the Ti rear end can handle, but I know that it is not an LSD. However, E30 rear ends fit in the Ti and you maybe be able to use one of those.

I'll let someone with more experience answer that particular question.

ApocolypseAutoEngineering · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2007, 01:46:32 PM »

First thing is first... you need an M3 x brace to mount on the bottom to prevent your car from twisting. The rear assembly will hold upto about 400lbs of torque respectibly. I know there are people that have much more torque on that rear but its on boost, and boost comes on smoothely not instantly and violently. If the car is going to be ONLY a drag car then go with the 9inch. Otherwise I don't know what else you would do considering you are going to through the weight off real bad. As for the engine you will probably have a bit of trouble with the steering rack... I tried to fit a 540 v8 into the e36 and all it did was piss me off. You also might have to modify(greatly) the tranny tunnel. BMW trannies are genarly short unlike a tremec. Anyways good luck with your build and I'm lookind forward to seeing pictures.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2007, 01:58:43 PM »

http://www.vorshlag.com/ls1bmw0.php

if you decide to sell the front struts and rear trailing arms (with hubs, haha) please let me know ...first!

cwertman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2007, 02:25:58 PM »

Thanks, I planned to tie the frame under cross style, my own box steel x member because at 500 Hp my camaro got well twisted like a pretzel (and I had the connectors I was just too excited not to try a run

.....

I Just want a tire burner not drag, not roadrace, more Mad-Max......

I "Dry fitted it and all seems well the mounts on the 501 are way forward and clear the steering by about 1 1/2 inches..... I was very worried about that.

As far as spools go anyone know any sources ? I mean I can always pin whats in there but, im a somewhat lay guy when it cones to rear end work. AND I like the IRS and the rear disc. Ill loose that with the 9 inch and that rework is more than I care for.

cwertman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2007, 10:42:26 PM »

"lay guy when it cones to rear end work" sorry meant LAZY, I hate pinning rears and I dont even know if if can I mean its not exactly a 9 inch inside ? or is it ? I mean GM tranny on a BMW ? (I should say european /Opel/GM ) tranny...ugh....

What is the factory ratio ?

I may be better with a 700R4 than the TH400....

Chris

cwertman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2007, 10:46:30 PM »

Oddly the TH400 and the auto GM/BMW Tranny are about the same size , with bellhousing (Tourge converter housing I know) diamater and all....odd the BMW tranny is so big, 5 instead of 3 maybe ? mine is deeper by an inch or so but off the centerline.

D. Clay · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2007, 11:51:53 PM »

The E30 body shell is problematic for a true drag car. You could look into the complete suspension crossmember and components that are used by the high horsepower turbo BMW guys. I think it's the E28(?) 5 series.

ApocolypseAutoEngineering · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2007, 10:28:54 AM »

Quote from: cwertman;37398

I Just want a tire burner not drag, not roadrace, more Mad-Max......

.

The only problem with that is that it will rip the diff mounts right off. It happened to me on my e36. Then in order to fix you have to drop the entire rear assembly replace the subframe or if you want to be a bit cheap about it, tig weld it back together. If by chance you really have to build a rear end though, use a 94-97 stang axle, same bolt patern and probably the easiest solid rear axle to fit there. All you have to do is make trailing arms from the stock mounts on the body of the car and you may have to shift the spring mount a bit and ofcourse shaft and shock mounts.

strypt · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2007, 04:43:41 PM »

Quote from: ApocolypseAutoEngineering;37452

The only problem with that is that it will rip the diff mounts right off. It happened to me on my e36. Then in order to fix you have to drop the entire rear assembly replace the subframe or if you want to be a bit cheap about it, tig weld it back together. If by chance you really have to build a rear end though, use a 94-97 stang axle, same bolt patern and probably the easiest solid rear axle to fit there. All you have to do is make trailing arms from the stock mounts on the body of the car and you may have to shift the spring mount a bit and ofcourse shaft and shock mounts.

The normal E36 has a completely different rear end than the ti. The ti has the same as the E30 so the diff mounts are strong. I guess it was the bolt that holds the diff that failed on yours?
With that amount of torque I'd guess the only way to do it with BMW parts would be to go with an LSD diff and "wheel flanges" (not sure of the english word for it..) from an 535 E28 and custom made output shafts since the 535 ones are too long. These parts can handle a suprising amount of torque. Good luck

ApocolypseAutoEngineering · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2007, 10:09:54 AM »

Quote from: strypt;37473

The normal E36 has a completely different rear end than the ti. The ti has the same as the E30 so the diff mounts are strong. I guess it was the bolt that holds the diff that failed on yours?
QUOTE]

No actually it ripped off the mount housing that mended to the frame. And thats spindels by the way.

2002maniac · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2007, 10:31:03 AM »

Quote from: cwertman;37379

I recently picked up a super clean 318ti 95 from an impound auction fo $300, someone had started to pull the radiator shroud fan etc. so I assume something was wrong or they were going to do a swap.

So you are assuming that something is wrong with the motor? You might want to note that in your ebay description for the motor.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M42-Engine-Transmission-Complete-E36-318-318ti_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46098QQihZ010QQitemZ200172268320QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW