M3 coupe struts in a ti

[Pierre]

As far as I understand, they fit. I fact, I am planning a complete subframe swap.
According to real OEM. the subframe is different, the strut housing is different, the sway bar is different, control arms are different etc.
But I think the whole assembly should fit.
My question is about springs. If I run the M3 springs, what can I run in the back? I don't think the E36 rear springs off the M3 will work. But do E30 springs work?
I can get a set of 318ti RD lowering springs. But will they fit the front M3 struts?
I am trying to use as many parts as I can from my M3 parts car, if they are an improvement. But at the very end, it has to work.

Thanks for your help.

[cooljess76]

Just run Ti springs in the back as the weight is only going to change up front. the spring rates should stay the same in the rear. FWIW, I'm running H&R race springs for the Z3 1.9L in the rear and H&R race for the M3 in the front.

[mohaughn]

Why would you want to change out the entire subframe? Some times the projects I hear people thinking about doing don't make any sense.

If you want to make a dramatic improvement to the front suspension, you can use struts that are designed for an M3, then you can use swaybars designed for an M3. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the stock Ti subframe, and if anything, you could make the car handle worse if there are major suspension placement changes made by changing the subframe...

The front end is different on a Zcar, that is why there is a different part. Doesn't mean it is better.

I guess my question is, why? What are you trying to solve or improve by doing this? If you already have the Z parts, I would sell those and buy E36 M parts.

Doh! reading is fundamental.. thought you mean z coupe.. I don't think you need to change the subframe to make it all fit. M's didn't come with stronger front subframes..

[Pierre]

If I drop the subframe off the M3, motor, tranny, struts, sway bars, control arms, steering rack, the whole assembly will come right off from underneath.
I can then do the same on the ti and bolt it up from underneath, connect a few hoses and wires and it's done. (Yeah, I know it's not that simple, but it appears simpler than yanking all those parts off one car and installing them one at a time.)
Will it bolt up? What is the difference in subframes? It is the same on all E36s including the Z3 except for the M cars.

[Shellback]

Sorry to jack, but will the following parts fit on a ti? Contemplating getting a ti this week, and wondering if its worth the hassle. Reason for suspension change is for a M3 engine/trans. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-99...1%7C240%3A1318
Thanks....SB

[Bluebimma]

All of it bolts up. The M subframe has reinforcements built in. The strut and sway design provides a slightly stiffer setup. The struts accomodate the extra weight being put on the front of the car. All springs are interchangeable, as "fitting" goes, but they have different spring rates as well as how tall they are. Mcoupe/roadster stock springs lower our rears a good two inches, lowering springs for an e36 non-ti lower it another in or so more than ti lowering springs or stock mcoupe springs.

The rear subframe, forget about it. Sure, you can bolt on the brakes, but you wont have an ebrake unless you weld your ti shoes to the mcoupe shoes, making a new shoe and keeping the ebrake. Also, when doing this, you need to upgrade the master cylinder, as youre pushing more fluid than before.

[Shellback]

A bit confused. Maybe I'm not reading it correctly. Maybe its time for my AADD meds...

Front suspension from E36 M3 & MZ3 can be fitted on a 318ti, zero issues?
Rear suspension from a E36 M3 & MZ3 will not fit the 318ti, correct?
Please help. About to pull the trigger on a TI plus ordering a wrecked E36 M3
Thanks again....SB

[Bluebimma]

*sigh*

Fronts, no issue at all, bolt on.

Rear, buy the MZ3 subframe to get the larger brake, diff, axle setup and retain a stock ebrake setup.

The rear subframe from an m3 is not bolt on, but the calipers, rotors, pads will bolt on but you need to make custom shoes to get the ebrake to work. Everything else, you cant use...as bolt on.

[Shellback]

Roger that...Thanks Blue
....I see Blue....He looks...glorious

[cooljess76]

"You're my boy Blue!!!"

[Bluebimma]

You guys are crazy!

[hurley9]

im starting to finally understand the odd suspension set up of a Ti..
its amazing the wonders reading can do!

but im alittle confused on shocks... sorry if im jacking the thread and if someone answered... but would 325is rear shocks fit? also will the front work also?
thanks

[Bluebimma]

No, and why would you want to?

[hurley9]

my buddy totaled his 325is and it had koni yellows and H&R race springs...

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by Bluebimma

No, and why would you want to?

+1, this is getting ridiculous. Let's set things straight ONE MORE TIME.

The 318ti shares the same FRONT suspension as '93 and up e36's. This doesn't mean it shares the same part#'s just the same design. Yes the front shocks will fit, yes the springs will fit. Will it ride properly? Probably not if the springs are from a 6 cyl. There's nothing special about M3 front suspension. The only difference is that the sway bar is tied to the strut via links. Same design as '92 325's. Our sway bars are linked to the control arms. The 318ti sport uses a 26mm sway bar while the M3 uses a 23mm swaybar. This means that the Ti sway bar is even stiffer! Upgrading to M3 suspension is pointless and hardly an upgrade if any.

Now lets talk about the rear since this is what most people have a difficult time understanding. The 318ti uses an e30 "STYLE" semi trailing arm design. This DOES NOT MEAN that e30 rear suspension components will fit, it simply means that it's a similar design. The only thing worth swapping off of an e30 is the differential and half shafts! Yes Z3 roadster and coupes use the same design. However, the part#'s are different. Yes the parts will bolt up to the 318ti. Will they function properly? PROBABLY NOT. The spring rates are different. Will regular e36 rear suspension components work on the 318ti? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Yes they may "fit" or bolt on, but the specifications and dynamics are totally different and your car will ride like crap! E36 coupes and sedans use a multi-link rear suspension design, 318ti's use a semi-trailing arm design.

So you want to run Mcoupe or MZ3 rear brakes? Have fun swapping the whole rear end out. As mentioned before, please excuse me because I don't know how to make things any clearer, UNLESS YOU'RE DRIVING A 318ti WITH AN ENGINE SWAP, STICK WITH 318ti SPECIFIC PARTS whether they're OEM or after market.

That being said, Bluebimma and I are running funky suspension setups BECAUSE WE HAVE MOTOR SWAPS. I'm running 318ti Bilstein Sports with e36 M3 H&R Race Springs in the front and 1.9L Z3 H&R Race Springs in the rear. E36 M3 brake calipers, carriers, spindles and rotors in the front and stock 318ti rear brakes which are powered by an e36 M3 Brake booster/master cylinder and reservior. I'll add that the Z3 H&R race springs are a little too soft for the 318ti because the rear end of the Z3 1.9L is slightly lighter than the 318ti. But they do lower the REAR a little more than 318ti H&R race springs.

I hope that clears things up and will put an end to these silly questions