bmw e30 318i donor

[flyerncle]

Welcome to the nuthatch, It has been posted here before about using BMW running gear ie diff etc and I think the opinion was that using the rear suspension was out and fitting the diff etc was a pain too. The engine and box could be used to good effect and again this is on the forum with pics of a build but I cant remember who but someone will, I have a damaged 318 IS compact in the garage and am considering it for engine and box.

Good luck

[Bonzo]

Hi welome to the forum Big Andy.

I believe our mighty leader, Chris has made a few posts about the beemer running gear.

I am sure Chris will be along shortly, in the meantime have a good poke around the forum.

I've looked at the BMW E36 bits, the E30 bits are broadly similar.

The rear suspension will require a bearing housing to be made to take the BMW bearings and to fix to an upright similar to the Sierra one, as the BMW set up is unusable.

The diff is quite big but can be squeezed in, and the same applies to the engine and gearbox, using mods similar to the MT75 ones.

The front hub isn't tall enough to be used alone and requires a fabrication like this



which is bolted to the existing strut mountings.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Chris

[big-handy-andy]

cheers Chris, might see if i can source sierra rear hubs and drive shafts splice them with the bmw shafts and use the rest of the bmw running gear now to start sourcing some tube.....
Andy.

[Longerr]

Hi Andy, we used as a donor 318ti, u can see the pictures here http://picasaweb.google.com/Longerr82/Project7 if any questions jsut ask, I"ll translate it to my father who has done the build

[Chris_]

Andy, if you can. I would try and use the BMW rear end.
It's easy to get hubs with discs, or abs etc and as the rear carriers are fabricated it should be possible to fit them.

It seems like it would be easiest to use sierra front uprights though. i'm not sure i'd fancy the adapter doodahs bolted to the back of the BM hubs. Mind you they would look nice machined out of billet Alloy.

Cheers
Chris

[Danny]

Theres quite a few people worldwide who are interested in using BMW parts some specific drawings and measurements (perhaps as an ANNEX to the book) and stickied on the forum might be good.


.......please

[rmccomiskie]

Originally Posted by Danny

Theres quite a few people worldwide who are interested in using BMW parts some specific drawings and measurements (perhaps as an ANNEX to the book) and stickied on the forum might be good.


.......please

Here in the U.S., there's plenty of 3 Series BMWs in the wrecking yards. It's one of the few RWD cars left. I'm leaning toward the 1992-95 318i (E36 w/M42 engine) for the engine, trans, diff, front uprights, F/R brakes, maybe steering column. The rear hub carriers don't look usable so those may need to be fabricated. The diff mounting looks similar to the Mazda Miata IRS so that's been done before on Locost chassis.

Longerr has already proved that the engine & trans can be used: http://picasaweb.google.com/Longerr82/Project7#

I agree that we need to gather some measurements to see what alterations are needed.

Bob.

[rmccomiskie]

Originally Posted by Chris_

It seems like it would be easiest to use sierra front uprights though. i'm not sure i'd fancy the adapter doodahs bolted to the back of the BM hubs. Mind you they would look nice machined out of billet Alloy.

Looking at the E36 front uprights, BMW didn't mind bolting a 'doodah' to it. The strut is attached to the back of the upright with 3 bolts. That strut has a lot more leverage than the top wishbone would have. It seems to me that a properly designed 'doodah', one that provides the desired geometry, would be quite strong and perfectly safe.

Bob.

[Chris_]

Originally Posted by rmccomiskie

Looking at the E36 front uprights, BMW didn't mind bolting a 'doodah' to it. The strut is attached to the back of the upright with 3 bolts. That strut has a lot more leverage than the top wishbone would have. It seems to me that a properly designed 'doodah', one that provides the desired geometry, would be quite strong and perfectly safe.

Bob.

I wasn't saying ot for the strength side of things, more, as you say, the geometry side of things.

Not sure i'd fancy knocking one up with a bit of plate and a MIG, and certainly not two identicals

Chris

PS, E30 & E36 diffs are either small or medium case. The large case goes on the bigger models (5, 6, 7 series) oh and the rear cover is interchangable between e30 - e30 smalls and e30 - e36 mediums. (ie. not small to medium or vice versa)