E30 Zone

Besides the engines, what're the differences with respect to things like suspension (since I've seen loads of people talking about kits for 6 pots compared to kits for 4 pots) is it different strut sizes or what?

Also been looking at short shifters, and apparently they're different too?

General advice is appreciated on the differences, as I'd hate to end up buying the wrong things.

Its things like this that are confusing: this is meant to be a short shifter for an E30...



and so's this... but whats the difference between the ball and the 'socket'? (I've not had the opportunity to take my present shifter apart yet, so excuse me)

6 cylinder e30's came with 51mm front struts

4 cyclinder cabs/tourings came with 51mm front struts

4 cylinder saloons came with 45mm front struts apart from the 318is which had 51mm

Best 'short shifter' (nasty American phrase!) for an E30 is the standard 1.9 Z3 item.
It's 316i, 318i and 320i saloons that have the inferior suspension and brakes. Everything else has the better stuff.

Okay, well I have a 318i 4 door, with a 318iS engine and suspension fitted (and a 325 disc brake conversion), its been owned by several of the members on here, any idea whether it'll be the 45mm or 51mm struts?


As for 'short shifters' thats what i get up when I stick 'z3 shifter' into ebay. So opinions on which of those is the right one would be fantastic!

Thanks guys.

'is' suspension will be the 51mm struts.

It'd be nice for the guy who did the conversion originally to confirm that. Guess I've got to find his name.

Reg of the car is H948 DDS if anyone knows it?

papercutout wrote:It'd be nice for the guy who did the conversion originally to confirm that.

Not exactly rocket science, to check!

papercutout wrote:It'd be nice for the guy who did the conversion originally to confirm that. Guess I've got to find his name.

Reg of the car is H948 DDS if anyone knows it?

This is demlotcrews old car. It 110% has 325i struts and trailing arms on it. It was a very good car when he sold it. But this was a few years ago and it's been a bit abused since looking at it last time it was forsale

I'm pretty sure that car already has the 1.9 Z3 gear lever fitted.

Thanks for that Simon! I don't think its got the Z3 shifter, its got quite a long throw, guess next time I see someone else around with an E30 I'll check!

I'll make sure I get 51mm strut shocks then

And yeah, it is a bit more battered these days, I bought it with the front valance dented (need replacing tbh), and its picked up the odd scuff. And I hate to say it to people who knew it before, but it IS being used for drifting and track days now, so its not going to get any better bodywise.
I'm trying to take care of the important part though - the engine. I don't mind the odd scrape on the shell, as long as its not rusty.

Cheapest place to get the Z3 lever from is Paul (Zimmerbimmer1) who can be found in the Genuine BMW Parts Dept section on the zone. He does the whole kit inc. bushes and P&P for less than just a lever costs on ebay!!

Another "drift king" i see

so drifting and trackdays? how does that work? 2 entirely different disciplines requiring very different suspension setups

Did you get it off a chap by the name of Jav?? I thought this car had a short shifter too...I know he had the chip upgraded while he had the car tho..

Nice motor...

Pal

sorry for the hijack but does the z3 shifter fit the prefacelift sport box ?

yes

cheers jhonno for the rapid response. is it a straight fit ? ie no mods to fit

no mods required, there's page and pages on the zone about this mod!

Jhonno wrote:Another "drift king" i see

so drifting and trackdays? how does that work? 2 entirely different disciplines requiring very different suspension setups

Go dig a hole....

Be constructive and answer my questions rather than trying to start an argument.

I got it from a guy called Robin, in Kent. The next owner on from Jav I think. It had a sports chip in too, might have to wang it back it actually...
As I said, it feels quite a long throw - I'll compare it with another one before I go buying.

that car was running a viper 2 chip when it was sold

Drifting, it's a lifestyle, man !

Simon - its got a 'chipped UK' 'race3 175' chip with it now.

PacerPete, much as I appreciate your support Jhonno needs to be ignored, not encouraged.


In response to you though Jhonno, for both trackdays and drifting, I need the car lower and stiffer than it is now, its just sitting too high and is too boaty, especially on full lock.

papercutout wrote:Simon - its got a 'chipped UK' 'race3 175' chip with it now.

PacerPete, much as I appreciate your support Jhonno needs to be ignored, not encouraged.


In response to you though Jhonno, for both trackdays and drifting, I need the car lower and stiffer than it is now, its just sitting too high and is too boaty, especially on full lock.

somehow i dont think pete is supporting you .i can just sense a sarcastic undertone. but i could be wrong........

Have you got a welder on there yet? I've heard they are great.

What happened to forums being a place for advice?

I've been asking reasonable questions, giving reasonable responses, none of this 'aight u twats, i nd to kno the best way 2 lower my bimmer, i saw some1 say heating ur springs up iz a gd way 2 do it'
(I actually did see someone talk about heating springs, I've just tried explaining about the whole annealing and tempering metal techniques so they don't do something really stupid)

So if you can be reasonable back, that'd be appreciated, I'm not a lifestyler, I'm actually trying to get good, and the only way to do it is do things properly. Which meant getting my diff welded instead of spending lots of a LSD with only 25% lock, and things like that.
Heck, you put up with Mike these days, he's even sponsored by the forum!

lmfao! saw the oxycet your springs thread did seem to be a little to me.
pic of the lever set up......


at least im trying to help. i think.

papercutout wrote: Heck, you put up with Mike these days, he's even sponsored by the forum!

They don't really "put up" with me, as I don't really post too much

And for the record, drifting and track days both have increased caster, increased front camber, a reasonable level of rear camber, fairly neutral (or thereabouts) toe front and back, a reasonably low ride height, firm suspension without being overly stiff (down to preference and track etc), with the only difference I can see being down to very minute differences when you get extremely optimised, the diff not wanting to be locked for track (not ideal for drifting either, but plenty good enough), and the track doesn't require an assfull of steering lock.

So, Mr. Condescending Jhonno, you are wrong.

Bah drifting e30's is fine, not so much at the higher level as the standard rear end layout isn't great but nice little capable cars and take abuse all day long if there looked after well.

I think pacerpete is on Trampdrift.com so maybe not sarcastic....

Thanks guys.

So if anyone has some 51mm strut, 40mm drop shocks and springs for sale, jsut drop me a PM ;)



Advice on what steering rack is best for quicker lock, without losing any lock would be great.
I've asked around a bit, and some people have said the Z3 rack, but I've also been told it has less lock, recently was told the BEST was an E36 M3 rack, but they're probably harder to fit and expensive. So, what do you lot recommend?
Or is it worth starting a new topic in technical?

so a nice grippy rear end for drifting and an ass end trying to overtake the front end for track use is fine then? He's already said he's welded the diff..

Z3 1.9 Rack is the one you are after, 2.7 turns lock to lock

The M3 one is 3.2 turns iirc

They are all the same to fit, thought i cant remember what the travel on them is, but im not aware of the 1.9 one being limited

There are also a few different M3 racks, one is variable ratio, cant see them being the favoured swap as there are a few m3 owners who put standard racks on their cars

There is also the e46 clubsport one @3 turns lock to lock

To me my e30's just another toy to kick to death, untill I get fed up with it.

You need balls to drift, If you like all the shiny shit and talking concours then go for it,

but we all know who's geting the most out of there E30

Thanks Johnno, so its not correct that the Z3 rack actually has less lock? (I can't remember where I'd heard it, but its worth double checking.)


And I don't know if you've ever tried driving an E30 with a welded diff, but in the dry, the whole car is ridiculously grippy, the only tendancy is has is to understeer at low speeds when being pushed hard, at high speeds its fine. The welded diff also means that when the back end DOES go, its more controllable!
In the wet its a different matter, it goes out at the slightlest provocation, whereas it wouldn't with an open diff.

I've got some play in the steering too, but there's another thread on here that gives several causes, which I'm going to check asap.

The Z3 rack is the one you want, mines been on my car for over 6months and is great, can't say i've noticed any less lock either.

Will also have some 51mm struts available in a couple of weeks if your interested.

Someone needs to test the z3 lock theory, I read it on here probably around a year ago that some of them, including z3s, had bigger lock restrictors fitted (I guess to prevent wheels fouling) so despite being the same actual ratio, it just moved less, hense less turns lock to lock.

I'm happy with my e36 318i rack anyway, 3.7 turns lock to lock now I've spacered it out (that's an extra .25 turns each way IIRC )

Come on 'drifters' show us some vids of your talents, lets see some satin black landfill being given some ?

PS Doughnuts in matalan / Mcds carparks don't count !