E36 sway bar specs please..

Autotechnica · 12-15-2003, 06:30 PM

I need the sway bar diammeter specifications for the E36 318i and the E36 M3. Also, are there any differences in diammeters for different year M3's?

I'm swapping M3 sways into my 318.

Thanks,

Bryan

**thinair** · 12-16-2003, 02:11 AM

you can swap M3 sways into your 318i, but remember they mount differently on the front of the M3 as you know (to the struts). Which means (from what I've been told) that an M3 can get by with a thinner front bar.

Autotechnica · 12-16-2003, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thinair
you can swap M3 sways into your 318i, but remember they mount differently on the front of the M3 as you know (to the struts). Which means (from what I've been told) that an M3 can get by with a thinner front bar.

The rear M3 sway bar will fit the 318, but the front will not. I've purchased a conversion kit from Ground Control which consists of 2 brackets which must be welded on inorder to fit the front sway bar. Shouldn't be too much work I hope.

So are you saying that the front 318 sway bar is thicker than the front M3 sway bar?

Thanks,

Bryan

**thinair** · 12-16-2003, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Autotechnica
So are you saying that the front 318 sway bar is thicker than the front M3 sway bar?

No, because I don't know the exact thickness

325iSBimmer · 12-16-2003, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thinair
No, because I don't know the exact thickness

i've heard about what ur talking about... i think they are thinner but since they mount to a different spot they will still stiffen up the sway of the car.

KIRASIR · 12-16-2003, 04:36 PM

stock M3s
- 95 front is about 22.5mm
- 96+ front is about 23mm

318/318ti/325/328
varies from 24-26mm.( not sure about very early 92 models)
The average non-M3 front sway bar size is about 25mm.

SL

Autotechnica · 12-16-2003, 06:25 PM

Thanks Serge, do you have specs for the rear bars as well?

Do you think I should keep my stock front sway bar and just swap the rear with the M3 bar or do the whole conversion?

Thanks,

Bryan

KIRASIR · 12-16-2003, 06:38 PM

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_pr...escription.htm

I don't remember the size for the rear of the regualar 3-series. I only remember the 318ti size which is totally different.

In my opinion, you cannot beat the adjustability of the aftermarket sways like RD or Eibach. So I wouldn't even bother with getting M3 sway bars.

SL

Quote:

Originally posted by Autotechnica
Thanks Serge, do you have specs for the rear bars as well?

Do you think I should keep my stock front sway bar and just swap the rear with the M3 bar or do the whole conversion?

Thanks,

Bryan

Autotechnica · 12-16-2003, 07:00 PM

Say if I paid $100 for the sway bars and the brackets, would you think there would be an improvement? Aftermarket bars can cost $600+CDN, that's a pretty huge difference in price.

thanks,

Bry

KIRASIR · 12-16-2003, 07:03 PM

You will definitely see an improvement over the stock bars(assuming you connect the front to the struts). If you want to have more control with things like track/autocross setup then spend the money and get aftermarket sways.

SL

Quote:

Originally posted by Autotechnica
Say if I paid $100 for the sway bars and the brackets, would you think there would be an improvement? Aftermarket bars can cost $600+CDN, that's a pretty huge difference in price.

thanks,

Bry

Autotechnica · 12-16-2003, 07:08 PM

ok finally found the info.

96+ M3 front rear

0.905" 0.787"

318 front rear

1.0" 0.75"

This is what I found on some no name website. If anyone knows this info is incorrect please post the right diameters.

Thanks!

Bryan

Jon@Bimmersport · 12-16-2003, 07:36 PM

why not check with the dealer? would they know? or email turner motorsport or somethin