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BMW conversions (e36) - please read

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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 08:54 AM
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Default BMW conversions (e36) - please read

Those who have done LSx conversions into BMW's, what are you using for half shafts? My differential, mounts, and trunkfloor are very strong but I had a cv joint blow up on a mildy hard 2-3 shift the other night. I was wondering what is out there in the aftermarket for these cars.

http://hasanmotorsports.com/broke.htm

The stock shaft that I'm using is BMW PN 33211229235 which is used in the following cars:

1.9l Z3
318 Ti

LK=80MM/D=26MM
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 09:07 AM
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may seem obvious, but wont the m3 shafts fit? probably stronger.
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 09:16 AM
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Can't help ya. Bummer man. I'm dreading the day I'll have to post similar pictures of my Toyota axle
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 09:50 AM
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I blew my 318is right side outer CV. I just installed M3 rear axles. It also requires the M3 rear trailing arms. The axles themselves and the CV joints are substantially larger than the 318 items. I don't have any experience with them yet but they should last longer than the previous axles. Mine lasted me 4 months on 135K used axles. The rear M3 trailing arms I believe require M3 rear brakes. That means you should also upgrade the fronts to M3 spindles and brakes.
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 09:55 AM
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I could go with ///M Roadster shafts and trailing arms, but they are only 1mm thicker diameter than what I've got. Will that make enough difference? I'm thinking that I may just need to go with soemthing like this

http://www.driveshaftshop.com/bmwparts.ivnu

As for front brakes/spindles I'm running e46 M3 rotors and Wilwood 4pistons and kept the stock spindles
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 10:07 AM
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It is not the shaft that is the important part. You need to see if the CV's are different in size. M3 are twice the size of the sedan/coupe CV joints. I don't know anything about the MRoadster axles. Maybe you can find a visual comparison on google.
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 01:45 PM
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I'm pretty sure that the 325i and 328i rear end (- diff) is the same as the m3 also
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 06:19 PM
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www.turnermotorsport.com

BMW parts all you need to know and learn, should help,
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 08:23 PM
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Just got off the phone with another e36/7 enthusiast who had some half shafts laying around from an e36/7 ///M car. We measured his against mine, and length is the same (non-M 6cyl cars have longer), however diameter on the wheel side is different and would require ///M trailing arms, hubs and wheel bearings. So if anyone comes across an e36/7 or e36/8 ///M car with front end damage let me know :-)
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 09:29 PM
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Joe,

Been waiting for this to happen with my car, now have ~20k miles on my conversion with no issues to the rear end or half shafts, I am running the big 210mm euro E36 differential setup though. Using standard M3 rear half shafts, no signs of wear since day one and I beat my car pretty hard. I did find a significant design flaw with the engine mounting setup that I am in the middle of redesigning.

Paul

Some of the abuse in action

http://www.members.shaw.ca/fc3s/TrackDay/LS1BMW.wmv
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 03:11 PM
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Got custom chromemolly stub axles from Summers Bros, 930 Cvs and chromemolly cv cages.
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by redmist
Got custom chromemolly stub axles from Summers Bros, 930 Cvs and chromemolly cv cages.
What diff you using on your car? Will they make anything to suit customer application? If so what price range we looking at? $500, $1000, $2000??? If you'd rather email just shoot one to joehasanjr@yahoo.com
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 05:55 PM
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They did them for $500 a pair (stubs) but they said they lost money on them. Yep they do all custom heat treated chromemolly axles. Just send them what you want to copy. The fit and finish is beautiful. It took forever to get them though....
I'll break everything else before the axles and CVs.
I'm using a "large" diff 3:23 LSD from a Euro EVO E36 M3 with a dual mount cover.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 11:52 PM
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I'm thinking about doing the ls1 engine swap but trying to decide between an E36 and E46 chassis. I like the E46's looks, but I think the E36 is 200 lbs lighter. Will the swap work in an E46 chassis? Also, I'm toying with the idea of using the engine/charger/tranny from a 2003 cobra instead. Thoughts?
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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by blkta00
I'm thinking about doing the ls1 engine swap but trying to decide between an E36 and E46 chassis. I like the E46's looks, but I think the E36 is 200 lbs lighter. Will the swap work in an E46 chassis? Also, I'm toying with the idea of using the engine/charger/tranny from a 2003 cobra instead. Thoughts?

Philly 411 on bf.c??

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=600748
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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 07:48 AM
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I am not a BMW, but have the same concerns with my cv axles, with 423/434 rwhp/tq 383 ls6 miata on a 7.5 t-bird rear and Axles.
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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 07:50 AM
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RedMist:

Who made your axles? Pm Me if you do not mind. I would like to have mine upgraded by a good source. Thanks!!!
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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 03:06 PM
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COuld you not try and source a Z3M rear end? would be your best bet I's say.

I'm planning a swap in my little 318 and have got a euro M3 e36 rear end to drop in
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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by turbotacoma
RedMist:

Who made your axles? Pm Me if you do not mind. I would like to have mine upgraded by a good source. Thanks!!!
Re-read my posts. Summers Bros in California. Nice folks, decent prices, awesome parts
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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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Yeah I post as Philly 411 on the beamer forum.
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