Anyone ever converted to 5 lug?

Anyone? Is it worth it to go 5 or stay 4? And i was wondering if the e36 suspension was compatible with the e30?

Originally Posted by mod_junkie

Anyone? Is it worth it to go 5 or stay 4? And i was wondering if the e36 suspension was compatible with the e30?

its only worth it if you want to fit low offset 5 stud rims. you need E30 M3 parts to do it properly. It can be done with an E36 ti rear end whihc bolts right in but you need hub spacers, the front is a wee bit more complicated

E36 M3 front will bolt on provided you have late model E36 M3 control arms. Very few 16" wheels fit over E36 M3 brakes so be prepared to have 17's. The rear can be done Via Z3M rear or 318Ti as mentioned or E30 M3 setup.

Z3M is pricey as are the E30 M3 suspension setups.

There is a Z3M rear set up on 318Ti.org right now for $900 that is sans the diff but has supposedly all the other stuff you need. Ti suspension is cheap to come by but is limited to the smaller brakes unless you source aftermarket stuff.

there is no reason to go 5 lug, stay 4 lug.

the main thing people are not telling you about the crappy e36 5 lug swap is that it completely changes your offsets.

I like my 5 lug set up but it's e30 M3 and it does help since I'm 24V with AA C38 stg II

doesnt matter what motor or how much hp you are putting out. 4 lug is pefectly fine. you can buy big brakes for 4 lug just the same as 5 lug and 4 lugs can hold more hp than anyone can throw at it.

Originally Posted by fcsteve

doesnt matter what motor or how much hp you are putting out. 4 lug is pefectly fine. you can buy big brakes for 4 lug just the same as 5 lug and 4 lugs can hold more hp than anyone can throw at it.

BMW went with 5-lug hubs on the M3, with all of its 190 HP, in order to run larger rotors and calipers (you knew that)... to gain the superior braking and fade resistance of a larger pad and swept area.

The only viable 4-lug BBK is the UUC unit, which is great, but I would run StopTech if I could. The other 4-lug BBKs use the adapter plate which introduces flex, which kinda negates the value of a monoblock caliper body.

there is literally thousands of people running the aluminum hat BBK's safely, from little hondas to 1000hp+ track vehicles. there is also plenty of 800+ hp cars running around on 4 lugs.

a proper e30 m3 5 lug swap is over $1500. for that money you can get a BBK and have a chunk of change left over to throw at some lightweight wheels or tires.

Originally Posted by fcsteve

there is literally thousands of people running the aluminum hat BBK's safely, from little hondas to 1000hp+ track vehicles. there is also plenty of 800+ hp cars running around on 4 lugs.

a proper e30 m3 5 lug swap is over $1500. for that money you can get a BBK and have a chunk of change left over to throw at some lightweight wheels or tires.

I wasn't referring to the hat.

You could run an 800HP car on drums all around, too.

Originally Posted by markseven

I wasn't referring to the hat.

You could run an 800HP car on drums all around, too.

i just used that to confirm we were talking about 2 piece rotors. thats what we are talking about, correct ?


i run 1200rwhp with no brakes

Originally Posted by fcsteve

i just used that to confirm we were talking about 2 piece rotors. thats what we are talking about, correct ?


i run 1200rwhp with no brakes

Two piece rotors are great. The flex I was talking about is in the adapter that allows BBK calipers to bolt to the 4-lug hub.

Parachutes FTW!

Originally Posted by markseven

Two piece rotors are great. The flex I was talking about is in the adapter that allows BBK calipers to bolt to the 4-lug hub.

Parachutes FTW!

i know their older kit used factory wilwood calipers with an adapter plate, but doesn't their latest kit use a caliper specifically designed to bolt up to a 4 lug housing?

Originally Posted by fcsteve

i know their older kit used factory wilwood calipers with an adapter plate, but doesn't their latest kit use a caliper specifically designed to bolt up to a 4 lug housing?

UUC is direct fit, the massives (Wilwood) et al are not.

sorry, i just looked up and you said that before. I'm in a confusing e30/super beetle/model A dilemma that has my mind running all over the place right now.

so to recap :

*don't go 5 lug*

-buy the UUC BBK if thats what you want

-if you are going 5 lug for wheels, buy one of the billion 4 lug wheel sets that are already out there.

sound good ?

So now that is answered lol is the e36 suspension compatible with the e30?

Originally Posted by mod_junkie

So now that is answered lol is the e36 suspension compatible with the e30?

Parts of it are, the rear no except the brakes installed on a Z3 or Ti assembly.

Originally Posted by markseven

The only viable 4-lug BBK is the UUC unit,

Powerbrake now has a American subsidiary http://www.powerbrakeusa.com/ that will help you with whatever brake kit you need for your Bimmer- race or road.
Tell them http://www.nicksracing.com/ in Namibia sent you

I don't think you guys are following me are the front and rear shocks and springs compatible with the e30

If you are venturing down the E36 path only the front struts are but as mentioned you need the late model control arms from a 96-99 M3. The rear shocks are longer due to more travel the fronts are longer too but will work.

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

If you are venturing down the E36 path only the front struts are but as mentioned you need the late model control arms from a 96-99 M3. The rear shocks are longer due to more travel the fronts are longer too but will work.

Thank you lol I feel like this thread went totally another direction.

Originally Posted by mod_junkie

Thank you lol I feel like this thread went totally another direction.

No, I think it will help you decide whether or not a 5-lug is worth the time and money.

Originally Posted by hornhospital

Maybe just a little