316i rear drums - disc conversion help plz???!!!

[mc_conor]

Hi, i'm from the UK and have a 1997 e36 compact 316i. It has rear drums and i'm looking to convert to rear disc.

I've heard that i need the complete rear axle from an e36 318ti or z3 for this to be accomplished. Is this correct? Is it just a straight swap of the axles and a change of the brake master cylinder?

Also is it difficult to put a z3 1.5 lsd onto the compact and perhaps upgrade the front discs with the brake kit of say a 2.8 z3?

Thanks

[Mallard]

Hi Mc <Conor and welcome

The rear axle swap is indeed possible. 318ti or 323ti rear for the swap, remember to get the driveshafts from the new(er) assembly if possible for the swap. Not that i makes a difference but it saves time

you can use a lsd from a z3 without modification (2.8 L = 3.15 // 3.0 L = 3.07 )

e30 diffs can also be used, but requires a minimal modification with the driveshafts.

E28 diff can be used, but moderate modification with swap of rear diff cover and minimal driveshaft modification.

-

with reference to BBKs or Big Brake Kits.

The E46 330i swap works the disks, callipers and carriers for the callipers all need to be swapped, and possible the brake booster for an E36 m3 unit to accomodate for the extra fluid displacement

The Z3 3.0 swap is even easier ! For this all you need is the 3.0l discs, a set of VENTED callipers and the carriers for the Z3 callipers and your there! no need for booster swap as the calliper size is the same, just the position of the calliper is moved.

ill dig about for a few more ideas and get back to you

anyway welcome matey , and get some pics up of your motor

[mc_conor]

Thanks for the info Mallard.

So i need a rear axle from either a 318ti or 323ti. Does it matter which?

Do you have a rough price for a rear axle and driveshaft?

About the Z3 BBK, are you talking about the front only or front and rear? Surely i would need a bigger master cylinder if there is going to be 4 calipers instead of 2?

O, and here's a pic of my car so far:

[tiFreak]

nice looking car, what is that in your grill though?

[Mallard]

you could also use a rear axle from a z3 if you wanted

if you got hold of an Z3M rear axle , you would get a lovely vented rear set of rear discs at 315 mm in diameter !!

the z3 bbk uses the same front caliper as a standared vented disc e36, so the booster is the same.

the booster used on post 9/94 models is the same for 1.6 to 2.8 model e36´s and 1.8 to 3.0 Z3´s

same unit for 2 or 4 caliper vehicles

[mc_conor]

Thanks again Mallard.

I think i will source a Z3M and try and get the entire rear axle and front brake components.

If it's all Z3M brake parts it should have stable braking and brake bias so the rear won't lock or anything dangerous like that?

Also, i know this is the brake section but do you know of any form of forced induction that is compatible with M43 engines?

[Mallard]

im not sure if you can swap out the Z3M front struts, in fact i think you cant, so yeah, brake bias will be wrong unless you change to the e46 330i fronts at 325mm in diameter, and the e36 m3 booster

forced indution i dont know much about fella, but id suggest a swap to an m50 / 52 with 50 manifold and a chip / filter and exhaust unless you want to FI you 1.6

really, its not fair when you think the horsepower return for the cost..

[mc_conor]

I thought you said in a previous post the Z3M was a pretty straighforward swap at the front? Maybe you mean rear?

So could i use 2.8 Z3 front and rear brake components? I'm looking to have the brakes matched front and rear preferably from the same doner car.

Sorry if i'm sounding stupid i'm not too informed about the brake upgrades possible, hence why i'm asking you lol.

[Mallard]

never said anything about the z3m swap for the front fella, check

i think if you looking to have the same donor car , get a z3 3.0, and take the whole rear assembly, the front calipers, discs and carriers and your good to go

in fact, pu the whole drivetrain and engine in , it´ll all fit

[mc_conor]

No other modification needed with the z3 3.0 then? It's only the Z3M that is not compatible with the front?

A guy will sell the entire rear axle off a 2.8 Z3 for £300 ($600 roughly). Is that reasonable bearing in mind things are more expensive in the UK to begin with?

[Mallard]

the struts on a z3 wont match up with the ti chassis.. but some brake parts are interchangeable.

the rear bridge is the same on all Z3s from the 1.8 to the 3.0... only the Z3M has the larger discs and the re-inforced trailing arms and subframe.

I used to live in N.London but depending on budget, you could get a fairly usable donor car complete for a couple hundred more .

dont be hastey, there aren´t that many buyers for these items so price is a matter of hagling you self a good deal. Dont do ebay, they pump prices too high on these items.

Go to a breakers and find one yourself. then discuss a price.

[Mallard]

nice motor by the way looks like the innocent version of mine

[mc_conor]

Seriously an entire donor car for a few hundred more?

I'm thinking my options are:

1. Z3 3.0 rear axle and front calipers, discs and carriers

2. Z3M rear axle and e46 330i discs calipers and carriers, with e36 m3 master cylinder

Is that correct Mallard?

Thanks i was just looking at your other pics love your black/ red interior, and those ACS type 2's. What have you done to your car mechanically?

[Mallard]

Cheers fella

the options are spot on

Depending on condition, if you get a blown engine 3.0 he cant ask more than 1000 notes. the car sells max at 4g in mint spec anyway.

a bashed one / rolled or whatever would stand in at 500 easy

--

mech spec on the car is

Mtec arb front and rear
Vogtland Short sprt shocks front and rear with a 50/30 drop
E30 solid bush wishbones
Powerflex e36 3.0m3 busches (eccentric)
z3 1,9 shortshifter
Vented E36 calipers(but then swapped back because one caliper stuck on)

the rest is more styling and comfort mods

engine and driveline are orig. as of yet. 1.6 liters of raw BMW muscle

[mc_conor]

The car looks sweet and in really good condition.

Do you think the braking distance will be noticeably shorter with either of the two options?