325i m3 conversion

Mmmmmmmk so I have a 1994 325i that I am dropping the m62 into. But before I can actually put the motor in I have to upgrade my suspension. Now my question is...does the suspension from the e36 m3's simply just bolt on to the other 3 series of this generation or will I end up buying all relly expensive suspension from tein or somthing...

thre are differences between the //M and standars suspensions, so struts from a non-m will not fit an //M. iirc the knuckles are slightly different and the sway bar links mount differently. cannot remember if the lower control arms ar the same or not, either.

however a quick search will be able to give you the answers.

can you bolt up an //M suspension tothe non-m chassis?? yes, but you will beed to get all of the related parts to be able to have it match properly.



there is a thread about how bmw's are like legos, so that is where i would start to learn the differences and such.



good luck.





df

As far as struts are concerned they will all bolt up every which way whether M3 or 318. Only difference is the sway mount like DF mentioned, but that is really only a concern for M3 guys going to a suspension from something lower.

Non-M sways attach to control arms, and M sways attach to struts.

Here:

http://jj100d.blogspot.com/2011/03/e...ike-legos.html

Thank you for the advice and the link it was reply helpful

Originally Posted by E36blownpast

Thank you for the advice and the link it was reply helpful

helpful??....helpful!!!??

well we sorta mess up like that once in a while...wait till ed gets in on this. we'll be back to 'normal' then...







df

M3 suspension may not really address the need from your engine swap. The M62 weighs about 480 lbs vs. 425 for the M50 vs. 365 for the M52.
You might want to look at some coil overs so you can have some adjustability in the front ride height to compensate for the extra engine weight.
The M3 spring height is a bit lower and they have a slightly different spring rate, but that might not completely compensate for all the weight you're going to add.

365 for the M52? That's gotta be for the M52tu, right?

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

365 for the M52? That's gotta be for the M52tu, right?

It's for the M52 everywhere except the U.S. We're the only market that got cast iron block M52s I believe. I think TUs are double VANOS if I remember correctly. I don't remember at the moment if the TU got the aluminum block too.

So instead of the m3 suspension I should just stick with coil overs?

That's my opinion. I think you'll wind up with a better suspension for what you're trying to do. You have a wide range of choices in both performance and cost starting with Rokkors to Bilstein PSS-9.

Ok that is what I shal do then...would an air ride system possibly be a good option then or should I just do coilovers