5 Lug Conversion

[StarkeyT22489]

Hey guys i work at a salvage yard. and well i have access to allot of bmw parts for very cheap. now i want to know what would i need to do the conversion. because i want to do a set of 15 inch bask weaves. or the m coupe rims. or the m3 motorsport rims.

[austra]

97-98m3 lower front control arms. e30m3 offset lollipop bushings just use the whole rear control arms on our subframe

[StarkeyT22489]

now i heard that u can use the rear from a Z3

[fourdoorfanatic]

or a 318ti. i'm not sure about which e brake cables to use though. you can use e36 front strut/hub assemblies with e30 springs and top mounts i believe. e3o m3 stuff is great if you can find it, good luck with that. the late model arms mentioned above with offset bushings will give you really great caster, but the normal e36/e30 arms and bushings will work too.

[StarkeyT22489]

im trying to do it all with out the use of E30 m3 parts.

[fourdoorfanatic]

i figured. what i stated above should do the trick, depends on your stock at work and whatnot. ooooh. i meant any e30 spring and top strut mount.

[austra]

the e30 m3 bushing are 40$ and you must have the 97-98 m3 lower control arms stock e30/ e36 non m3 will not work! if you want the wheel center in the well you need to have it I JUST DID THIS SWAP LAST WEEK. if you have rear disc brakes, so anything besides the 84-85 318 your brake cables will fit the new z3 or 318it rear brakes on the new rear control arm

[fourdoorfanatic]

does it kick the wheel back too far? i know the geometry of the late e36 m3 arms are a little different, i don't know how much though. i guess the only 5 lug swaps i have seen done had sperical bearings and spacers in the arms rather than conventional ball joints. i could be wrong on the arms.

[StarkeyT22489]

what do u do with the brake lines?

[LebanonBavarian]

really to do it right you should use coilovers in the front with e30 adjustable stut mounts. regular stuts are longer on an e36 than an e30 so it will sit higher than you want

[LebanonBavarian]

the brake line fit its the same thread its really a simple swap

[EgMpower]

hey my brother used the 99 m3 front lower control arms he said there was a 1.5 positive degree in caster angle different than the 98 and below and he also used the rear control arms and disc brakes from a 318TI! he also said you can use the ones from a Z3
if you do the swap with the stock control arms in the front you will have too much of negative caster causing your wheels to scrape when you turn and a shitty stability so get the right control arms before you do the swap.
if you've ever been in an sti before you will see that your car brakes just as good with the conversion!! haha
=]

[StarkeyT22489]

hah thanks. yea see i work in a junk yard and well we have over 1500 cars and we have a shit load of E36s and i get parts next to nothing so its been a idea that i been just throwing around in my head.

[EgMpower]

Originally Posted by StarkeyT22489

hah thanks. yea see i work in a junk yard and well we have over 1500 cars and we have a shit load of E36s and i get parts next to nothing so its been a idea that i been just throwing around in my head.

man you have it made!!
hahah
yea you should definitely do it then
your car will brake soo good!!!!'

[StarkeyT22489]

hah yea im thinking about it. i have a set of rims from a 540 and there realy nice there like the m motor sports rims but i dont know if there going to fit. but right now im wating on two sensors and its killing me not being able to drive my car.