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Thread: E36 Axles for +- 500 lb ft torque

  1. #1
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    E36 Axles for +- 500 lb ft torque

    Hello,

    I'm currently building a E36 track car that will be running around 450-500hp and 650-700nm of torque(around 500 lb ft). I've been looking into axles and found some different information. I'm not planning on launching my car, it will be for road racing only.

    I can get a set of E36 m3 3.0 axles, will these be strong enough for my usage? I know I have to get different trailing arms and different diff output flanges for those.

    Or are there any other good options out there? I've seen the driveshaft shop axles but they are quite expensive.

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    Stock axles will be fine

  3. #3
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    You mean as in stock 328 axles or the stock m3 axles?

  4. #4
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    If you do use 25-30 year old axles, regrease them at a minimum and preferably disassemble and rebuild them. There are some DIY in bimmerforums. Most cover just the easy inner end but there are 1 or 2 that cover disassembling the outer CV.

  5. #5
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    Yes I will, but will stock 328i axles be strong enough for my use or do I need something beefier?

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hspi View Post
    Yes I will, but will stock 328i axles be strong enough for my use or do I need something beefier?
    Check Realoem for part no's.
    My greasy old 328i stock axles have been fine, but I never tracked the car.

    Edit: I was wrong
    Last edited by et89; 03-09-2023 at 02:51 PM.

  7. #7
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    E36M3 axles for the 1995M3 use a larger RTA bearing and are stronger (of larger diameter) than the ROTM 318/323/325/328 axles.
    1996+M3 uses the same RTA bearings but are of larger diameter between the joints than the 1995M3 axles. I believe the 1996+M3 axles are hollow, the 1995M3 axles are of smaller diameter and solid.

  8. #8
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    Something to consider is that M3 axles do not fit 328 rear trailing arms. Machine the arms may make this possible. I think 328 rear brakes do not fit M3 trailing arms so if you convert to M3 axles and trailing arms, you may need the M3 rear brakes as well.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hspi View Post
    You mean as in stock 328 axles or the stock m3 axles?
    You mentioned M3 axles in your post not 328 axles, that said they should be fine - I ran 328 axles for years above 500whp and only ever broke them launching at the track and having wheel hop.

    I launched the car on the street often without issue because all it did was spin. If you have wheel hop you will kill them quickly however.

  10. #10
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    Ok, thanks a lot for the info. What about the driveshaft? Same story?

  11. #11
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    I broke stock driveshafts only when launching at the track on drag radials with more that 500 lbs rwtq. Wheel hop may have been a factor — it is deadly to drivetrain parts due to the shock of rapid loading and unloading. Also broke ZF320 and 188mm diff output stubs (the larger size for the M3 axles on my 99 M3).

    25 year old driveshaft probably has a loose rear CV or u-joint so if you are going to use it, consider rebuilding it.

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