Guest Jason Posted July 17, 2001 Share Posted July 17, 2001 Just a thought, but someone in my area is parting out a rollover E36 M3. The M3 has struts up front, a multilink rear suspension and an LSD. The M3 has a similar track ~56" and similar weight distribution to my ZX, but the M3 supposedly is one of the best handling cars out there. On paper, it looks like the M3's handling comes from its rigid structure, and rear suspension. I am not impressed with the ZX rear suspension design, and since I have the opportunity, I wonder if its possible to swap some German engineering into the Datsun. I haven't taken a look at the M3 suspension's yet, but its probably very similar to the standard 3 series. I know the differential is geared lower ~3.3, and the M3 brakes are much better compared to others in the 3 series. Any thoughts on this? A BMW suspension would be a big project, but adapting a differential might be possible. Has anyone considered this? An LSD off a 5 or 7 series sould be plenty strong, with several ratios to choose from. They don't look that difficult to adapt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Thurem Posted July 18, 2001 Share Posted July 18, 2001 I have been looking at the BMW rears too. The earlier ones look like they would be pretty easy to install. Earlier, as in from the cars with the square looking bodystyle. You would have to have the CV's shortened and make an adaptor plate. Good luck Thure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Adkins Posted July 18, 2001 Share Posted July 18, 2001 What gear ratios are the BMW rears? Are differnt Ring and Pinion gears available, and if so, are they expensive? How strong are the BMW diffs? [ July 18, 2001: Message edited by: John Adkins ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Just a few thoughts here, since I've owned five BMW's in various states of disrepair over the past few years! A large part of the suspension prowess of these cars comes from the structural rigidity of the body. I don't believe that a ZX has the rigidity to mimic a 3-series BMW, but if you take measures to stiffen up the body, this swap just *might* work. The BMW Digest has an official BMW Master Tech who posts regularly. His name is Brett Anderson, and he's overseen several projects that are in the class you're talking about. Like, stuffing an M3 engine into a little 318ti body. I think he may have even shoehorned a V12 into a 635csi, but maybe I'm misremembering. Anyway, he's the sh*t on BMW's. If you want, I can give him your e-mail address, and see if he has any interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Adkins Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 Personally, I wouldn't be using a BMW rear for handling reasons, but just as a possible donor for an IRS differential. There seems to be a lot of BMWs in wrecking yards in my area... if the BMW IRS diff has strength, gear ratios, and parts availability, then it might be an alternative to the R200 swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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