318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Suspension

Notices

Suspension Springs, sway bars, shocks.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 98,848 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 61,722 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 59,084 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-27-2011, 12:47 AM   #31
zoner
Senior Member
 
zoner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,464
iTrader: (7)
Default

Re: M3 strut bearings- I see different part numbers listed for the 1995 M3 3.0L and the 1996-99 M3 3.2L. I have a 1995 ti M42- would either one still work and what is the difference?
zoner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2011, 02:18 PM   #32
J!m
Moderator
 
J!m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT!
Posts: 3,156
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

Interesting... I know the LCAs and LCA bushings are different due to a geometry change in '96 but was not aware of the top bearing change...

The caster angle is the same, just achieved a different way on the bottom, so I don't know what the change could be.

If there is a big price difference, I'd go with the less expensive option. If the difference is small in price, I'd go with the newer design (96-up)
__________________
"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

Order Swap Manuals Here => http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912

WolferJ- gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
J!m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2011, 02:29 PM   #33
spidertri
Senior Member
 
spidertri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Posts: 3,877
Vehicles
iTrader: (9)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by zoner View Post
Re: M3 strut bearings- I see different part numbers listed for the 1995 M3 3.0L and the 1996-99 M3 3.2L. I have a 1995 ti M42- would either one still work and what is the difference?
'96+ M strut mounts (E36 M3 and MZ3) will give ~2 deg of camber when you swap them from left to right. This is very well documented on bimmerforums, make sure when you install them that you have them on the correct sides if you want the extra camber.
__________________
~Dave~

98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop
11 128i space gray slicktop
13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry

Search | RealOEM
spidertri is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2011, 02:35 PM   #34
J!m
Moderator
 
J!m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT!
Posts: 3,156
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by spidertri View Post
'96+ M strut mounts (E36 M3 and MZ3) will give ~2 deg of camber when you swap them from left to right. This is very well documented on bimmerforums, make sure when you install them that you have them on the correct sides if you want the extra camber.
Interesting bit of information!
__________________
"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

Order Swap Manuals Here => http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912

WolferJ- gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
J!m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2013, 06:28 PM   #35
96318ticali
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 25
iTrader: (0)
Default

This is an excellent list. Just what a new owner like myself needs. Thanks for all the great info.
96318ticali is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2014, 04:02 AM   #36
jca
Senior Member
 
jca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Posts: 1,364
iTrader: (1)
Default

I experienced improvement after I installed a front strut tower brace, then more improvement after I installed the x brace, then still more improvement after installing a rear strut tower brace. I installed the pieces in the above order. Front brace and x brace seemed to generated equal amounts of improvement. The rear brace, a little less. John
jca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2014, 04:08 AM   #37
MINIz guy
Senior Member
 
MINIz guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 373
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

I am starting to be a believe of strut tower braces.

Reading the autocross forums, the E36 guys say that it takes their jack a few less pumps to get a tire off the ground with a front strut tower brace. I can only image the effect we would get when using a rear shock tower brace since we have an open hatch design.

Now, what are the cheapest most effect tower braces?
I know of the Sparco one for the front at $130. Are there any cheaper ones?
What is a cheap one for the back?
__________________

2000 M5 -> 1996 318ti -> 1997 328i
Instagram: ndrewchow YouTube: MINIzguy
MINIz guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2014, 06:02 AM   #38
BlackBMWs
Senior Member
 
BlackBMWs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,451
Vehicles
iTrader: (7)
Default

I paid $40 for a nice shiny used rear strut brace and $40 each for new ones, not so shiny on eBay for two ti's and a E36 sedan. Easy decision purchase as they help add rigidity. I'd like a Mason rear bar, but out of my current budget.
__________________


1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!
Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
BlackBMWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2014, 05:46 PM   #39
KSKarl
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 111
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MINIz guy View Post
I am starting to be a believe of strut tower braces.

Now, what are the cheapest most effect tower braces?
I know of the Sparco one for the front at $130. Are there any cheaper ones?
What is a cheap one for the back?
Cheapest is to make your own from a scrap of electrical conduit, like I did for my old e12. Just hammer the ends flat and drill to pick up the shock mount bolts. That straight steel tube is much stiffer than a curved aluminum bar.
KSKarl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2020, 11:45 PM   #40
M GmbH
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAYTON, OH
Posts: 86
iTrader: (0)
Default

I’m finally getting back to my Ti track/Lemons car build after having a child & building a home and have a few questions about my suspension plans. About 5 years ago I started buying front end parts for this car and want to make sure I’m getting everything to match up
correctly. I am setting up the front to be like an M3. My original plans are use E30 M3 aluminum lower control arms with offset lollipops but I’m not sure if my ‘96-99 E36 M3 knuckles will mess up the geometry?

Shopping around the other day I noticed a E46 lower control arms set up that is supposed to increase front end track & maybe shed some weight with aluminum control arms. Has anyone tried this out yet?
M GmbH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 01:30 AM   #41
J!m
Moderator
 
J!m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT!
Posts: 3,156
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

Easiest solution for an M3 front suspension is to install an M3 front suspension.

It all bolts in.

Aluminum LCAs are nice but wear out faster than their cast iron counterparts. If you have a good budget; plan for annual replacement.

You can increase wheelbase a bit by mixing the pre-96 offset bushings with the post-95 LCAs. You push the front wheels forward about 3/4 inch and obviously increase caster along with it.

Don’t forget the X-brace.
__________________
"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

Order Swap Manuals Here => http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912

WolferJ- gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
J!m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2021, 03:39 AM   #42
StoneWheelRacing
Member
 
StoneWheelRacing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Upstate NY USA
Posts: 38
iTrader: (0)
Default

Looking for a way around the exorbitant prices of used Z3M LCAs.

I know its a bit off topic but I'm wondering if Z3M rear bearings and hub will mount into non M Ti rear lower control arms? I suspect not. To go way out on a limb can the spindle castings be bored out to hold those bearings??

Seems to me if either of those is possible you can then use the vented rotors without dropping the big money on LCAs.

Is the M outer CV joint splined shaft a larger diameter also?
StoneWheelRacing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2021, 04:09 AM   #43
J!m
Moderator
 
J!m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT!
Posts: 3,156
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

It's just not worth it.

If you own a machine shop and place no value on your time, I guess it could work, since track width is the same, but the M Roadster/ M Coupe rear sub frame is stronger; the trailing arms are stronger; the half shafts are stronger; the diff is stronger; the brakes are bigger etc. Tone rings are different, so the spindle housing will end machining... Probably 20 other things, like using the MZ3 halfshafts.

Yeah, it's a grand, or two these days, but you get everything in one neat package.

I've looked at it a few times over the years and it's a false economy for sure to try and cut these corners.
__________________
"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

Order Swap Manuals Here => http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912

WolferJ- gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
J!m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2021, 01:01 AM   #44
StoneWheelRacing
Member
 
StoneWheelRacing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Upstate NY USA
Posts: 38
iTrader: (0)
Default

I was fishing, for sure it would be alot of T/E. I did find someone who didn't strip the rear chassis yet to sell the bits separately but he wants $4250 for the whole assembly. He said $1000 per LCA alone. Someone else wanted $8k. He said $3-$4 for the LCAs alone.

Just curious, how much wider is the track width on the M rear chassis and where exactly is it, in the positioning of the LCA pivot mounts?
StoneWheelRacing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2021, 01:12 AM   #45
StoneWheelRacing
Member
 
StoneWheelRacing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Upstate NY USA
Posts: 38
iTrader: (0)
Default

Anyone have more details on the differences in subframe widths or track width? How much wider or narrower is the track width on the M rear chassis vs the Non-M Z and where exactly is it. Is in the positioning of the LCA pivot mounts?
StoneWheelRacing is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:28 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 124.44 k/148.23 k (16.05%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.