Re: Your race car build
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e30guydownunder
Hey Tim?,
I saw your thread and want to know more about the
e36 subframe swap.
You say it mounted the engine further back? How much did it interfere with the firewall by?
With the e36 subframe swapped in, did you need the 97+ M3 aluminium lower control arms in order to get the correct caster?
Sorry for all the questions, im about to embark on a similar build (from scratch) myself and knowing things like a factory avaliable subfraqme can be used to mount the engine further back are useful things to know.
Chris
Chris,
Don't worry about the questions. No big deal I hope I can help.
There were several things about the swap that were different. To use the e36 subframe you have to use e36 rubber and engine mounts as the mounting position is wider than the e30. The oil pan and exhaust manifold has to be e36 too. I do not know if the exhaust manifold and down tube will fit once the motor is mounted as I never got it that far in. In addition to that the engine will protrude the fire wall by about 8 inches. You would have to cut a large opening in the firewall to make it fit. you would also have to take into consideration custom driveshaft length, tranny mounts, custom exhaust and shift linkage. I do not know if there is anything that will directly make this fit. I beleive it will be alot of custom work. I might attempt it in the future when I have more time. I am painting the car right now and trying to completely rebuild the brake system with a proportioning valve, all new brake line and abs controller box delete.
I beleive the e36 and e30 have the same lower control arms and the same mounting position on the subframe. They also have the same power steering rack position, but you can't use the e30 rack in the e36 subframe as it's a little bit to tall to fit in between the mounts. I went with a different positioned lollipop mount in the rear of the lowers to get more caster. I also went with e36 m3 front coilovers and spindles and brakes from an e36 325 for the 5 lug conversion. I am running the e30 front sway bay, but decided to use the e36 sway mounts that attach to the strut to reduce stress on the lower control arm as they are used and aluminum. I have steel arms for a back up but am not happy about how much they weigh. I am not sure about how caster and camber differ from e36 to e30 as I have changed so many things on the front end. I am still waiting to complete the car with lexan so I can weigh it and corner balance it. Then I can do an alignment.
I hope this helps you out a little. Let me know if you need anything else.
