Complete M3 subframe swap

Nigelo · 11-12-2012, 10:59 AM

Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area!

I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!)

Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?

joec500 · 11-12-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area!

I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!)

Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?

You should reach out to Harold at HP, he would know for sure, as he has seen many M3 and 335i subframes go through his shop.

onebadmofo · 11-12-2012, 01:25 PM

Driveshaft won't fit in the diff as far as I know.

Nigelo · 11-12-2012, 01:46 PM

Aye, I'd need to work on the prop shaft, but will the M3 shocks and springs fit correctly into the 335i body, and will the 335i hubs connect up to all the M3 arms?

I'd ask Harold but I hate bugging a vendor if I haven't bought anything from them!

onebadmofo · 11-12-2012, 02:43 PM

When I was doing my M3 suspension swap, the rear M3 struts/shocks were working fine with M3 suspension parts. Up front I would've had to change hubs, bearings and brakes.

Nigelo · 11-12-2012, 03:37 PM

Thanks 1badmofo! Its good to know that the suspension side of things will be grand!

Thinking about it more, Im sure I could just swap the 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe - since everyones already using all the rear M3 arms as upgrades, except the ones that hold the shocks as the 335i shocks are different (not joined the same at the base) compared to the M3 ones.

Mind you, I've be wrong before!!

e679 · 11-13-2012, 11:22 AM

The 335i hub won't fit with m3 toearm. Why don't you use the m3 hub also.

CALWATERBOY · 11-13-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area!

I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!)

Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?

As you have M3 parts, why bother?

Al subframe alone's what, $2k?

CALWATERBOY · 11-13-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e679

The 335i hub won't fit with m3 toearm. Why don't you use the m3 hub also.

+1

Nigelo · 11-13-2012, 11:52 AM

Thanks guys, this is what I need to hear!

So, just use M3 hubs - will the 335i brakes fit onto these? Or just stick with the M3 rear brakes?

Thumperx · 11-13-2012, 12:27 PM

Sounds like a rabbit hole to me. With this time and trouble to emulate a M3, why don't you switch to a m3? Don't get me wrong, I get it. But....

Nigelo · 11-13-2012, 12:37 PM

Yeah, it's not without a challenge here or there.

But I got the entire subframe REALLY cheap - <$350 so there's a heck of a lot of a price difference.

In the UK the difference between a similar spec 335i and M3 is $13000. I'll have only spent about $2700-3000 by the time I've done all my mods)

Mavus · 11-13-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area!

I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!)

Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?

The rear M3 sway bar is too stiff for non-M3 and you will lose traction unless you have LSD. There are several posts about this. The M3 weight and power are higher obviously and some parts will actually decrease performance on non-M3 and cost a lot to install.

As mentioned above, it's a rabbit hole but don't spend money and time to screw up BMW engineering lol

Nigelo · 11-13-2012, 01:01 PM

The point of doing the M3 subframe swap is to get the M3 differential, I'd have to be be crazy to do an whole M3 subframe swap and leave out the LSD!

The M3 subframe is lighter, and I don't think it'll decrease performance (unless it was still with an open diff)

HP Autosport · 11-13-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area!

I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!)

Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?

The complete final drive will not likely bolt up to your 335i the way the 335i bolts up, you are better off installing the complete M3 sub fame along with the M3 final drive and use better suspension arms and larger brakes.

HP Autosport · 11-13-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Thanks 1badmofo! Its good to know that the suspension side of things will be grand!

Thinking about it more, Im sure I could just swap the 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe - since everyones already using all the rear M3 arms as upgrades, except the ones that hold the shocks as the 335i shocks are different (not joined the same at the base) compared to the M3 ones.

Mind you, I've be wrong before!!

You will need M3 rear shocks too, you are correct. And a very good time to upgrade the rear shocks to something better.

Nigelo · 11-14-2012, 01:22 PM

Hey, thanks for popping on here - and thanks for the pm too.

Much appreciated and the info is super helpful!

skyguy · 11-29-2012, 03:10 PM

Hi, how far along are you now with this install? My complete m3 subframe was just delivered and I'm about to have the driveshaft guy take a look at everything. wondering how far along you are and if youare just mating an m3 shaft to the 335 shaft? Thanks in advance for an update.

marconi118 · 11-29-2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area!

I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!)

Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?

YES DO IT
i have done it, it only needs a custom drive shaft and the m3 springs + dampers

go with h&R M3 lowering springs all together, due to less weight the 335i will sit higher than the M3 wit the oem M3 springs

Nigelo · 11-29-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyguy

Hi, how far along are you now with this install? My complete m3 subframe was just delivered and I'm about to have the driveshaft guy take a look at everything. wondering how far along you are and if youare just mating an m3 shaft to the 335 shaft? Thanks in advance for an update.

Pretty much at the same stage, although just about to remove the M3 hubs from the subframe.

Trying to source a manual M3 shaft - as that will only need shortened and a 335i rubber coupler at the gearbox end.

I also have a e39 740i prop, which will bolt up to the M3 diff, but not sure if its diameter would allow it to be mated to a 335i prop easily.

You might also need adjustable toe arms to if you are planning on using 335i hubs and brakes.

DallasBoosted · 11-29-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigelo

Yeah, it's not without a challenge here or there.

But I got the entire subframe REALLY cheap - <$350 so there's a heck of a lot of a price difference.

In the UK the difference between a similar spec 335i and M3 is $13000. I'll have only spent about $2700-3000 by the time I've done all my mods)

You got the M3 subframe including the diff for $350?

Nigelo · 11-30-2012, 02:10 AM

Yeah, inc delivery - very jammy! Makes the hassle all worth it.

11-12-2012, 10:59 AM	#1
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Complete M3 subframe swap Mentioned this in the M3 diff thread, but thought I'd ask in a higher traffic area! I've managed to get an entire rear M3 subframe (diff, brakes, roll bar, the lot!) Rather than removing the diff and drive shafts for installation into my 335i, can I just swap over my 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe and fit the whole shebang in one go?
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11-12-2012, 01:25 PM	#3
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Driveshaft won't fit in the diff as far as I know.
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11-12-2012, 01:46 PM	#4
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Aye, I'd need to work on the prop shaft, but will the M3 shocks and springs fit correctly into the 335i body, and will the 335i hubs connect up to all the M3 arms? I'd ask Harold but I hate bugging a vendor if I haven't bought anything from them!
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11-12-2012, 02:43 PM	#5
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	When I was doing my M3 suspension swap, the rear M3 struts/shocks were working fine with M3 suspension parts. Up front I would've had to change hubs, bearings and brakes.
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11-12-2012, 03:37 PM	#6
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Thanks 1badmofo! Its good to know that the suspension side of things will be grand! Thinking about it more, Im sure I could just swap the 335i hubs and brakes onto the M3 subframe - since everyones already using all the rear M3 arms as upgrades, except the ones that hold the shocks as the 335i shocks are different (not joined the same at the base) compared to the M3 ones. Mind you, I've be wrong before!!
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11-13-2012, 11:22 AM	#7
e679 Private First Class 9 Rep 117 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	The 335i hub won't fit with m3 toearm. Why don't you use the m3 hub also. __________________ E93 335i Alpine White, 19" Works, PSS, M3 arms, M3 bushings,M3 E93 FSB/E92 RSB, powerflex rear diff bush. AST 5100 with M3 rear camber arms. GC street plates.
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11-13-2012, 11:52 AM	#10
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys, this is what I need to hear! So, just use M3 hubs - will the 335i brakes fit onto these? Or just stick with the M3 rear brakes?
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11-13-2012, 12:27 PM	#11
Thumperx Major 88 Rep 1,404 Posts Drives: 335I coupe Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (77)	Sounds like a rabbit hole to me. With this time and trouble to emulate a M3, why don't you switch to a m3? Don't get me wrong, I get it. But.... __________________ Name: Blanca \| 07 E92 \| AW-Blk \| ZSP \| Alcon BBK \| M3 Bits \| VM RR Links \| Koni \| UUC Sways \| V5 \| Dinan CAI \| ETS IC \| Fge DV \| ER CP \| Cyba \| Raden. Exh \| Mod Step \| Trunk Drawer \| Perf LED Wheel \| Illum Dr Sills \| IS Shifter \| Parrot \| Philps D1S \| 6000k fog \| MTECH RR \| CSL Trunk \| Aero \| Roof Spoiler \| PSS on BBS RS-GT 19s
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11-13-2012, 12:37 PM	#12
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Yeah, it's not without a challenge here or there. But I got the entire subframe REALLY cheap - <$350 so there's a heck of a lot of a price difference. In the UK the difference between a similar spec 335i and M3 is $13000. I'll have only spent about $2700-3000 by the time I've done all my mods)
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11-13-2012, 01:01 PM	#14
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	The point of doing the M3 subframe swap is to get the M3 differential, I'd have to be be crazy to do an whole M3 subframe swap and leave out the LSD! The M3 subframe is lighter, and I don't think it'll decrease performance (unless it was still with an open diff)
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11-14-2012, 01:22 PM	#17
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Hey, thanks for popping on here - and thanks for the pm too. Much appreciated and the info is super helpful!
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11-29-2012, 03:10 PM	#18
skyguy Private 2 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2007 e90 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Hi, how far along are you now with this install? My complete m3 subframe was just delivered and I'm about to have the driveshaft guy take a look at everything. wondering how far along you are and if youare just mating an m3 shaft to the 335 shaft? Thanks in advance for an update.
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11-30-2012, 02:10 AM	#22
Nigelo Lieutenant 30 Rep 540 Posts Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (1)	Yeah, inc delivery - very jammy! Makes the hassle all worth it.
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