E46 M3 into E36 Shell

[OpenThrottleM3]

Hi all,

I have done a search and can't find a definitive answer to what I'm asking. Ever since I was a kid I've always wanted an E36 M3 and in my adult life I have really got into track days, specifically weekends away at Nurburgring. I've got a couple of different track cars but with good E36's all but gone I figure now is the time to do this before they become out of reach.

I have been offered a crash damaged E46 M3 convertible for a very tempting price and I have already got a half decent rust free E36 coupe 316 Auto. What I was thinking was to swap the full running gear from the M3 into the E36 shell and build the E36 I've always wanted. From what I understand the E46 is an extreme evolution of the E36 and as such all the subframes etc fit although have slightly wider track, which is no problem for me.

Before anyone says it would be cheaper just to go and buy an E36 M3 it's worth noting that my 316 shell is absolutely mint, absolutely zero rust and I have a full workshop at my disposal. I also absolutely love building cars and it's as much about the build as it is about driving it for me.

Just wanted to double check that my suspicions were correct and this would be a relatively simple build.

Cheers!

[gdavid]

The running gear will be a challenge, the differential nor the rear sub-frame from the e46 will not fit in the e36. It would be best to get a medium or large case e36 diff with the correct ratio and use that with a custom or modified driveshaft and the right the axles. There are a few s54 swapped e36's well documented in the "engine conversions" sub-forum.

[E36328Coupe]

^ This.

Basically use the engine gearbox and engine wiring, probably an EWS delete and ultimately better running gear is available than comes on the E36 M3 so if you had the rest of the running gear off one you would be spending a lot to throw it away and uprate. If throwing it all away best to start with cheapest car which you basically have.

If the vert is front smashed you can sell the rear end. However, there may well be some E46 M3 diff into E36 medium case articles

- - - Updated - - -

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11890

[blckstrm]

Hi all,

I have done a search and can't find a definitive answer to what I'm asking. Ever since I was a kid I've always wanted an E36 M3 and in my adult life I have really got into track days, specifically weekends away at Nurburgring. I've got a couple of different track cars but with good E36's all but gone I figure now is the time to do this before they become out of reach.

I have been offered a crash damaged E46 M3 convertible for a very tempting price and I have already got a half decent rust free E36 coupe 316 Auto. What I was thinking was to swap the full running gear from the M3 into the E36 shell and build the E36 I've always wanted. From what I understand the E46 is an extreme evolution of the E36 and as such all the subframes etc fit although have slightly wider track, which is no problem for me.

Before anyone says it would be cheaper just to go and buy an E36 M3 it's worth noting that my 316 shell is absolutely mint, absolutely zero rust and I have a full workshop at my disposal. I also absolutely love building cars and it's as much about the build as it is about driving it for me.

Just wanted to double check that my suspicions were correct and this would be a relatively simple build.

Cheers!

Whatever you do, start with welding in the rear subframe attachment reinforcements into the E36. The later M3s came with the reinforcements, but the rest (including early M3s) did not have the reinforcements. Even E46s have this same problem. Only late model E36 M3s don't (or very rarely on highly modified cars). The factory reinforcement plates did the job for the M3s - you should put those in even if this wasn't going to be a track car AND have an E46 drivetrain.

Also, as stated by both other guys, the rear subframe won't fit, and the axles will be too long. It will likely be easier to sell the E46 rear end and buy an E36 Evo rear end instead (including the subframe), all of which should bolt right in (and which you should have easy access to, being in the UK).

An E36 M3 automatic driveshaft will work between the E46 M3 gearbox and your diff, though you may need to resolve a difference in the diff input flange (though the E46 and E36 EVO may both be 6 bolt CV-type).

Finally, do not buy aftermarket axles. They are universally junk. Find some from a wrecked car instead of buying new OEM. May be easy if your rear subframe and diff come with axles...

[E36328Coupe]

^ He's in the UK and won't understand half of that because for one, independent suspension cars don't have axles how we use English over here ;)

[blckstrm]

^ He's in the UK and won't understand half of that because for one, independent suspension cars don't have axles how we use English over here ;)

What do you guys call them? Half shafts?

[E36328Coupe]

What do you guys call them? Half shafts?And we call the one from the gearbox to the diff a prop shaft ;)