Bigger Brakes on Stock E30

[ABK]

A couple of years ago when I still had a 2002, Andy Kritikos of AKG Motorsports in Zion, IL, was using Volvo brakes to increase the caliper size on 2002 race cars in Stock or Prepared classes (MidWest Council Racing). I believe he was using the four piston Bendix calipers for a 200 series Volvo and bolting the directly to the 2002 stuts as the original calipers. MetalMaster brake pads were available for Volvos at the time.

Question is, would this setup work on the e30? Would this be cheaper in the long run, than going to current aftermarket setups?

I have an e30 that I would like to keep the smaller rotor to be able to use 14" wheels for snow tires. However, I would like to use bigger 16-17" wheels for track and autocrossing.

[Rich911E]

I sent an e-mail to AKG about this and they said that the volvo system would not work on the E30 -- here was their reply and suggestions:

"We used to use the Volvo brakes in 2002's, but not the e30s.
"If you want, you might be able to use the e36 strut legs with complete brakes from an e36 M3 and e30 M3 offset control arm bushings. Need to use adjustable camber on top to correct the camber and toe.
"For the rears, use M Roadster trailing arms (tho they are expensive and hard to find) with rear M3 brakes. By doing this you have to go to 5-bolt 17" wheels to clear the brakes.
"Hope this helps.
Regards, Andy Kritikos, AKG"


me again: I think it would probably still be cheaper to just go with some Brembo brakes or some aftermarket aluminum calipers with adapters. I posted earlier about my thoughts on the system for the Corrado brakes but haven't had time to explor this anymore. Rich

[///m42 sport]

I believe the 318 ti's front assembly works on e30's. Have to get back to you about the back though.

[jase007]

Ireland Engineering seels a kit for E30s that is comprised of mostly Mustang parts (I think). Track proven it looks like (?)

Ireland Engineering

Jason

[Jon325i]

This is a modification I've spent some time researching and discussing with other E30 enthusiasts on various forums. If you want big brakes for your E30, here are your options...

Retaining 4x100 bolt pattern:

Ireland Engineering's kits. I don't know anyone personally who has done this, but it does use Mustang calipers which is nice since replacement pads would be easy to source up. Probably one of the more cost-effective kits on the market.

I believe there may be a couple more aftermarket big brake kits for the E30 that would allow you to retain your 4x100 bolt pattern.....however, none of them are popping into my head (hasn't had coffee yet). It would make sense to go with one of these choices if you have already invested a handsome sum of cash into some wheels/tires.

Be advised there are no larger factory brakes that would directly bolt on to your existing 4x100 set up. If you want bigger brakes and you want to use factory parts, you must convert to the 5x120 bolt pattern.

Switching to 5x120 bolt pattern:

You have a couple of options when considering taking this alternative. 1) E30 M3 suspension/brakes and 2) E36 parts.

With the E30 M3 configuration, you not only gain rotors that are 1" larger in diameter, you also get more robust wheel bearings and a lot more choices when it comes to fitting aftermarket wheels and tires. Also with the E30 M3 gear, you can swap out certain older 5 and 7 series rotors/calipers to get better stopping power plus these parts usually don't cost a mint like replacement E30 M3 parts do.

With E36 parts, you gain all the advantages mentioned above but at a (potentially) lower cost. For the front you can use E36 325i/is, E36 328i/is or E36 M3 suspension/brakes (the latter two requiring you run with 17" wheels in order to clear the calipers). For the rear you should go with an E36 318ti rear suspension set up.....if possible get the entire subframe & trailing arm assembly with hubs, rotors, and calipers attached. This is a DIRECT bolt in conversion into the E30 chassis, plus it will give you the proper wheel offset so your front wheels match the rears.

In many respects, going the E36 parts route makes more sense because there are tons of these cars on the road (and in the scrap yard) so finding replacement parts is easy and not nearly as cost-prohibitive as the E30 M3 parts alternative.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

So You have to change everything? You cant just change the wheel hubs?

[Jon325i]

Originally posted by Jared at Pelican Parts
So You have to change everything? You cant just change the wheel hubs?

Nope. The entire strut assembly is different...yet they utilize the same mounting points (go figure).

A point I forgot to mention. Lets say you have an E30 with the stock 4x100 bolt pattern and you have a nice Ground Control coil-over suspension with Bilstein Sports and Eibach springs. If you were to go with the E30 M3 hubs and struts, your shocks, springs, etc. will slip right into the strut tubes with zero modifications (aside from trimming the OEM spring perch to accomodate your GC coilovers). With E36 parts, you would have to get the appropriate shocks and springs.

Something to consider depending on how modified your E30 is when you're contemplating a 5-lug conversion.

Jon

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Hmm... I've got Bilstein Sports and Eibachs. So what you are saying is that If I get the E30 M3 strut housings, brakes and hubs, then 5x120 is no problem? I could reuse the suspension?

[Jon325i]

Originally posted by Jared at Pelican Parts
Hmm... I've got Bilstein Sports and Eibachs. So what you are saying is that If I get the E30 M3 strut housings, brakes and hubs, then 5x120 is no problem? I could reuse the suspension?

In regards to the front suspension, the answer is yes. Everything should drop right in. The rear suspension of the E30 M3 and the standard E30 are the same....with exception to the hubs/rotors. So your existing springs/shocks can be used here since the mounting points are the same.

Want proof? Here's an article done by a friend of mine who did this conversion on his E30 a couple years ago.

E30 M3 suspension/brake conversion article

Jon

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Awesome...


I'd love to run some of the later wheels on my car.. Looks like I may end up doing this

[jase007]

Jon:

I feel bad for "davelength's" Cabrio getting totaled but the silver lining is that E30 M3

All of what you summarized above is accurate for all E30s EXCEPT the iX (Such as the 1990 I have). One is basically stuck with the 4X100 and standard suspension upgrades (not even GC makes a kit for the iX as strut towers are different - rears are same as other E30s). Axle through hubs front pretty much eliminate most all mods. Can use E30 M3 offset bushings but can't use / get KMAC equivalent camber / caster plates. Dinan / Korman will modify front swaybar (weld on additional stiffening) but, there is no other aftermarket support. Also, have to go foreign to get a strut tower brace for the front.

So...

I have gone the H&R sport springs, Koni adjustable sports, OEM rotors (or ATE Power discs) with MM, Pagid, PF, etc... pads, SS lines Super blue, IE big rear sway bar and have "generally" been happy on the track.

I would use the car for a DE or driving clinic but wouldn't run it endurance racing like my 356. It's to bad really b/c the AWD is incredible in the wet on the track. (BIG GRIN thinking of my last couple of track events). I wish there was more aftermarket support for the iXs but, unlike Audi, they never really caught on until BMW reintroduced a few years ago.

Jared:

Just think, after swapping in the E30 M3 suspension you can then drop in the E36 M3 motor (Euro) for TONS of FUN!

My $0.02 worth, YYMMV, etc...

Jason