Rear brakes upgrade

[kote_alex]

Does anyone know if I could upgrade my rear brakes from drums to disks ?
I have an e36 316i coupe and I would like to upgrade my engine as well ... to the M42 ... the problem is that the legislation requires me to have better stopping power all-round . so in order for me to upgrade my engine I need to know if I can change my rear brakes ?

As far as I know I need the trailing arms , wheel barring + housing , caliper+mounts , and disks .

Please help me with further suggestion If anyone knows ...

Thank You !:)

[DesktopDave]

Sounds like a great time to upgrade the entire system, front and rear.  Maybe the M3 or a sport model setup?  Don't know how common it is over there; I'm not up to date on your model specs.  Sounds odd that you'd have to upgrade just to adhere to legislation.  I'd do it just for common sense...

I didn't know there was an e36 with drums.  If I had to guess (after consulting RealOEM to verify) I'd say you'd need the hub & carrier from a higher-spec e36 with rear rotors.  Parts like the trailing arms and rear brake lines could be different, and the parking brake cables might be as well.

Then you'd need new rotors brake fluid & refurb calipers of course.

[kote_alex]

I can't change the engine to a bigger size (like m3) without adding about $2000 to the budget only on legal fees ... that's the problem with ROMANIA ... I can only upgrade to a 318is because it less then 40% powerful then my 316i 102 HP ... so I can go from 102HP to 136HP ... legally ... witch is what I'm looking for... anyway ... If anyone has some pics with their rear trailing arms disassembled I would be very grateful to him ...
and ... does anyone know what type of hex wrench do I need in order to unlock the disc/drum from the hub ? is it a 7 mm hex ?

[HATER-PROOF]

Kote-depending on what size rear set-up you may choose to go with, your e-brake light might not work.  I don't know how your state conduct's vehicle inspection's for registration, but In Germany, they consider that as a safety issue(that would cause a vehicle to fail inspection)(that sucks!)  Check to make sure what your location requires.

[keflaman]

As Dave suggested, use your VIN on either "realoem" or "bmwfans.info" and part numbers for both systems (disk or drum) will be listed. I think I would print the sections out, highlight the parts I need and start scrounging the junkyards:p

I've done brake work on a '95 E36 "316i" Coupe, '95 E36 "316ti" Compact and a '93 E36 "318i" Sedan and all had drum brakes.

My suggestion:

- If your drum brakes are at the point of needing replacement, switch to the disk brake system.

- If your shoes/drums are in good condition wait until wear limits are reached and then do the swap. In the meantime, adjust everything to specs and make sure the front brakes and both hydraulic systems are in tip top shape.

- Proceed with the M42 swap regardless:D

[DesktopDave]

Wow - I'm surprised to hear that Romania is so overbearing.  There'd be riots in the streets if the government attempted to regulate hot rodding.

Go for the swap, definitely!

[keflaman]

Wow - I'm surprised to hear that Romania is so overbearing.  There'd be riots in the streets if the government attempted to regulate hot rodding.

You're right, Dave, and I think what Alex relates is pretty much the norm for a lot of European countries. Those of us in the U.S. are extremely fortunate to have the liberties to modify our vehicles the way we do.

[fabe]

to change the rear brake system from drum to disc, u need to replace the pair of trailing arms attached with the disc brake system.. and also change the handbrake cables.. That's all... I believe you can get those from the scrapyard...

I've change mine before from drum to disc...

[kote_alex]

As Dave suggested, use your VIN on either "realoem" or "bmwfans.info" and part numbers for both systems (disk or drum) will be listed. I think I would print the sections out, highlight the parts I need and start scrounging the junkyards:p

I've done brake work on a '95 E36 "316i" Coupe, '95 E36 "316ti" Compact and a '93 E36 "318i" Sedan and all had drum brakes.

My suggestion:

- If your drum brakes are at the point of needing replacement, switch to the disk brake system.

- If your shoes/drums are in good condition wait until wear limits are reached and then do the swap. In the meantime, adjust everything to specs and make sure the front brakes and both hydraulic systems are in tip top shape.

- Proceed with the M42 swap regardless:D

I just have to go with the m42 swap , because I want to F.I. it :rolleyes: , I always wanted a turbo car , ever since I was a kid

Wow - I'm surprised to hear that Romania is so overbearing.  There'd be riots in the streets if the government attempted to regulate hot rodding.

Go for the swap, definitely!

yeah ...it's sad ... so many laws, so many restrictions ... it's sad ...
U guys in the states don't even know how envied u are , u guys have the biggest engines , and the cheapest gas ... so u can have more fun for less money than us , we pay in Romania 1,50 $ for 1 litre , that's just a third of   a gallon ... so we pay around 5 $ / gallon ... truly sad    

You're right, Dave, and I think what Alex relates is pretty much the norm for a lot of European countries. Those of us in the U.S. are extremely fortunate to have the liberties to modify our vehicles the way we do.

exactly ...

to change the rear brake system from drum to disc, u need to replace the pair of trailing arms attached with the disc brake system.. and also change the handbrake cables.. That's all... I believe you can get those from the scrapyard...

I've change mine before from drum to disc...

Could U elaborate a bit ? what exactly is to be done ? disconnect the outer wheel drum , the the drive shaft , then the shock , then the trailing arm ?

[fabe]

Could U elaborate a bit ? what exactly is to be done ? disconnect the outer wheel drum , the the drive shaft , then the shock , then the trailing arm ?

U're doing it DIY? Anyway, that's basically the steps. as for step-by-step instructions, please refer to any of the repair manuals on removing the trailing arms and replacing the handbrake cables...

[DesktopDave]

Well, good luck on your upgrade.  I wish there was an easier way to send parts back & forth between US & Europe.  BMW sells a luxury car here, and in Europe they're just bread & butter transportation.  I'd love to be able to get a decent diesel BMW, or an Italian 320is (the de-stroked M3).  I'm sure lots of our salvage yards would love to send you an entire rear subframe, diff, discs & all.

[kote_alex]

Well, good luck on your upgrade.  I wish there was an easier way to send parts back & forth between US & Europe.  BMW sells a luxury car here, and in Europe they're just bread & butter transportation.  I'd love to be able to get a decent diesel BMW, or an Italian 320is (the de-stroked M3).  I'm sure lots of our salvage yards would love to send you an entire rear subframe, diff, discs & all.

Uhhh... I would be so grateful for some parts ... to bad the shipping cost would go sky high ... anyway ... I went to a salvage yard and found the parts I need for $200 ... these are the prices here... how mutch would it cost in the us ? just for comparison

[keflaman]

Uhhh... I would be so grateful for some parts ... to bad the shipping cost would go sky high ... anyway ... I went to a salvage yard and found the parts I need for $200 ... these are the prices here... how mutch would it cost in the us ? just for comparison

A quick search of Ebay Motors using "E36 trailing arms" shows prices ranging from $50 to $350 for EACH item and doesn't include calipers. Looking at the pictures in several listings it seems price also relfects condition of the part.

If your $200 quote includes everything needed I'd say that's a good price.

[kote_alex]

Great !  ... I will definitely do this upgrade... it's an absolute MUST !