Four to five stud conversion

[march109]

You're loving the way I revived a 2 year old thread right?

Half the guys on this thread are probably dead by now...

and probably 75% of the metal too!

and revive suggests ot wasn't completely dead and buried! could you do elvis next?

[mybmw6]

Reading the whole thread it doesn't seem like they got a definative answer on the question...

I don't think the whole thing is penny pinching just experimentation, nothing new would ever come about if everyone just stuck with what definately worked!

For people like me who live in Australia there is no way I could get a hold of an m3 setup of any kind without spending BIG $$$!

Those adaptor plates look cool though

[oze30]

Reading the whole thread it doesn't seem like they got a definative answer on the question...

I don't think the whole thing is penny pinching just experimentation, nothing new would ever come about if everyone just stuck with what definately worked!

For people like me who live in Australia there is no way I could get a hold of an m3 setup of any kind without spending BIG $$$!

Those adaptor plates look cool though

That's why I'm trying to get mine sorted over here before it goes back on the boat!

[Royalratch]

I've searched all the threads and there is no definitive answer.

From what I understand, you cannot just bolt-on E30 M3 or E36 5 Stud hubs onto stock E30 stuff.

You need to swap over E30 M3/E36 trailing arms for the rear and E30 M3/E36 struts up front.
Is this correct?

[berto]

z3 trailing arms and e36 struts up front. thats what i've got

[jmc330i]

From what I understand, you cannot just bolt-on E30 M3 or E36 5 Stud hubs onto stock E30 stuff.

Well the theory is, that the E30 M3 rear hubs will be a straight swap for the non-M3 rear hubs, redrill the 4 stud disc to 5 and job done (or fit the E30 M3 rear calipers and discs). Not sure if the E36 rear hub will fit, it should as the rear bearing is the same between E30/E36 but there could be issues with the ABS.

The front hubs will not swap over.

You need to swap over E30 M3/E36 trailing arms for the rear and E30 M3/E36 struts up front.
Is this correct?

E30 M3, Z3 or E36 Compact trailing arms for the rear and E30 M3 or E36 struts for the front.

[jonb]

I have to say guys, I thought a 5-Stud hub conversion (which I want to do for no other reason than to have a wider range of wheels) was just swapping over hubs from an M3 or E36.

But it seems that the struts and maybe more also need changing? Can anyone very quickly bulletpoint what's needed?
I'm with martinston - it's not a job that warrants big dough, unlike engine or interiors etc.

Right.

The five stud conversion is one of those things that takes money and effort. There is no easy way, simple as that. Its not a case of buying some cheap e36 front struts off ebay, and some m3 rear hubs.

Its like the 2.7 conversion. So much talk, but so little action.

Judging by your many previous posts, i have a feeling you will be rolling around on your bottletops for a few years to come.

[jmc330i]

Here we go again

[Brianmoooore]

Here we go again

No we won't!! Remember Twiggy!
This thread will remain on topic.

[Brianmoooore]

The E30, E36s with rear discs, E30 M3 and Z3 2.8 all use the same rear wheel bearings. So what's the problem with fitting one of these five stud hubs onto an ordinary E30 trailing arm?

[Royalratch]

Judging by your many previous posts, i have a feeling you will be rolling around on your bottletops for a few years to come.

First of all, dick head, this is the first time I've talked about it. I want to know how it's done should I want to do it.

Secondly, I don't roll on bottle tops.

Thirdly, why be such a wanker?

Seriously, why be so desperate to appear cool and knowledgable that you feel need the need to inflate your ego by putting others down by trash talking people's banter and queries on a forum that enables them to do just that.

I know why, it's cos you're a fucking tosser with no life.

[Brianmoooore]

Judging by your many previous posts, i have a feeling you will be rolling around on your bottletops for a few years to come.

First of all, dick head, this is the first time I've talked about it. I want to know how it's done should I want to do it.

Secondly, I don't roll on bottle tops.

Thirdly, why be such a ******?

Seriously, why be so desperate to appear cool and knowledgable that you feel need the need to inflate your ego by putting others down by trash talking people's banter and queries on a forum that enables them to do just that.

I know why, it's cos you're a ******* tosser with no life.

DID'NT YOU READ MY POST ABOVE!!! DESIST NOW.
ANY FURTHER RESPONSE THAT IS OFF TOPIC WILL RESULT IN THE ISSUEING OF A FIRST FORMAL WARNING.
There are 17,000 members on the zone. Probably less than a dozen are responsible for half of the moderators work load. We are slowly but surely coming round to the opinion that we may be able to do without these few members and have an easier life.

[Royalratch]

I read it. I resurrected this thread that was almost 2 years old to glean some knowledge. Then this idiot wades in to talk crap and start trouble with his bitchiness.

Its like the 2.7 conversion. So much talk, but so little action.

Judging by your many previous posts, i have a feeling you will be rolling around on your bottletops for a few years to come.

Your warning should have come after the above post.
I don't care about warnings Mr Moore, I don't believe people should be allowed to say things like that. The mods hardly ever target the actual offenders / their favourites, just those who don't stand for crap from the likes of jonb.

Give yourself a round of applause jon.

[Brianmoooore]

My first warning did come after jonb's post, and if he responds to this thread off topic, he WILL receive a formal warning. I have no favourites!
If you have personal issues with any member, use the PM system. Keep it off the forums!
Any reply on this forum to this post and you will be half way to a permanent ban.
I fully agree that jonb is the instigator of this, a fact that does not go unnoticed by the mods.

[mybmw6]

Reading the whole thread it doesn't seem like they got a definative answer on the question...

I don't think the whole thing is penny pinching just experimentation, nothing new would ever come about if everyone just stuck with what definately worked!

For people like me who live in Australia there is no way I could get a hold of an m3 setup of any kind without spending BIG $$$!

Those adaptor plates look cool though

That's why I'm trying to get mine sorted over here before it goes back on the boat!

Really coming back over here... Well let me know when you bring the car in and ah... I'll help you unload it off the dock.... (and into my shed.. ) ops how do I edit that part out

A guy that used to do e30 restorations once told me that the e28 hubs were the same as the e30 m3's. I've been bugging him to verify this ever since but he's as slow as a snail to do so....

[pacerpete]

E28 and M3 front hubs are NOT the same. M3 front hub/wheel bearing assemblies are approximately £150 each ! and then you still need brakes etc . As has been said before the only way to do this properly, retaining correct steering geometry and ABS capability is to use complete m3 running gear.
Having stated the above, i am open minded and readily await a hero with an argos card, £26.78 of e36 parts and some bailing twine to prove me wrong !

[Royalratch]

This what needed to be said, I think you said it before but not as clearly.
So it seems it can be done with E36/Z3 parts etc but will not retain correct E30 geometry which to be honest, is not worth messing with to have 5-Stud stuff.

Would this be correct:

Rear - E30 M3 Hubs+bearings, discs and calipers
Front - E30 M3 Struts, hubs+bearings, discs and calipers.

I assume you don't need to use the M3 alloy wishbones at the front?

[Brianmoooore]

The E30, E36s with rear discs, E30 M3 and Z3 2.8 all use the same rear wheel bearings. So what's the problem with fitting one of these five stud hubs onto an ordinary E30 trailing arm?

[seanboy]

Z3 and E36 ti rear trailing arms and hubs so on should fit on the rear so im to believe. Read somewhere that their is A 20mm difference between the e30 and e36 though?

[pacerpete]

The minimum you need is complete M3 legs with hub/bearing assemblies brakes etc and complete rear trailing arms.
I cannot imagine anyone seperating the M3 rear trailing arms to sell the components seperately and new prices will be exhorbitant so a complete trailing arm is the only option worth considering. Standard e30 ABS sensors and handbrake cables will work with the M3 components.
Not all M3s had alloy wishbones and since these are dimensionally exactly the same as standard e30 ones they don't need to be replaced.

[Royalratch]

This is confusing.

So for the rear you can use non M3 stuff - for the front, to maintain proper geometry you should use all M3 stuff?

All these conflicting opinions...

[Brianmoooore]

I assume you don't need to use the M3 alloy wishbones at the front?

Correct. The same wishbones were fitted to 325 tourers as standard, and are completely interchangeable with the normal steel ones.

[Brianmoooore]

Z3 and E36 ti rear trailing arms and hubs so on should fit on the rear so im to believe. Read somewhere that their is A 20mm difference between the e30 and e36 though?

The rear wheel bearings are all the same,
Where exactly does the problem occur if you try to fit these hubs onto E30 stub axles?

[pacerpete]

Ratch , bear in mind you will still need rear brakes and the rear hubs ,so why make life complicated to theoretically save a few shekels ? I have done this conversion many times and with my own money, if there was a more cost effective way of doing this PROPERLY i would love to know

[seanboy]

Was sourcing through other forums and found Lots and Lots of various information. Just put this down as it was confusing me. With all the info I checked up on I started looking for E36 TI compact rear swing arms and driveshafts Which should be A direct fit with bigger brakes. Then Like I said Read somewhere that their would be A 20mm difference in e30-e36 ti compact?
If you stick said hubs from A e36 to A e30 would you have to machine e36 discs down or machine e30 discs to 5 lug fitment?
Advice welcome
Cheers

[Royalratch]

Ratch , bear in mind you will still need rear brakes and the rear hubs ,so why make life complicated to theoretically save a few shekels ? I have done this conversion many times and with my own money, if there was a more cost effective way of doing this PROPERLY i would love to know

Come on man.

Where did I say I was trying to save money? I'm looking for the easiest way that this can be done. If that means M3 parts then so be it.
I'm more interested in the best way to do it than the cheapest.It's taken this many pages to finally start to understand what's what.

So for the rear, E36 hubs, bearings and brakes will fit but you just don't recommended that way?

And for the front it's all M3 - I get the how and why of that, because even if you can use E36 struts and stuff it alters the geometry and is kind of a botch.

It seems the rear is where there are 'options' on routes.

[Royalratch]

Would an awesome and useful article with pix, seeing as so many people are interested in doing this.

[pacerpete]

Ratch, stop smoking, i never implied you were being tight. That was a general comment directed at all the armchair converters who don't put a value on their time and are happily prepared to fritter time away measuring bits 3 cars up in the rain in a frag yard !
My time is precious, i have neither the time or the inclination to reinvent the wheel !

No pix or a guide are needed, if you use original M3 components the whole job is a simple bolt on . Remember though, pay more for the complete assemblies in good order as any missing M3 specific parts will be difficult to obtain and expensive if bought individually.

[andyborris]

How about a group buy to get some E30 hubs machined in aluminium with the 5 stud fitting, assuming M3 discs have the same fitting dimensions as E30 ones?

Also get a small unsprung weight reduction and that's always a good thing !

Andy

[buster]

Just slap the m3 stuff on

[Royalratch]

Custom made 5-stud hubs that go straight on would be awesome.

Just slap the m3 stuff on

This is not a valid comment buster.

Onward, Custom made 5-stud hubs that go straight on would be awesome. Though I think getting people together and actually makingi t happen would be more painful than dropping dough on M3 stuff.

I have learned a lot. Thanks all.

[buster]

It will be more expensive making custom hubs than using the m3 stuff.
Also,seeing as i have looked into this and bought the m3 stuff i stand by my comment !

[Royalratch]

It's not the advice, just the throw away manner.

We've been discussing different options and actually trying to see if there is a different way for a while. Many have 'suggested' just chucking on all M3 stuff - so thanks for repeating.

I bet you it's cheaper to get hubs machined.

[Kos]

E28 and M3 front hubs are NOT the same. M3 front hub/wheel bearing assemblies are approximately £150 each ! and then you still need brakes etc . As has been said before the only way to do this properly, retaining correct steering geometry and ABS capability is to use complete m3 running gear.
Having stated the above, i am open minded and readily await a hero with an argos card, £26.78 of e36 parts and some bailing twine to prove me wrong !

i just bought 2 new hubs/wheel bearings assembelies, came to £400 !!

dealer prices keep goin up pete LoL

[jonb]

Chirst kos

Your arms must be aching from all that overtime at heathrow.