Front Camber Adjustment Options

[rslifkin]

So for performance purposes, I'd like a little bit more negative camber up front on my E38 (01 740i Sport). As in, somewhere in the ballpark of an extra 1/2 degree of negative camber above stock, so not a lot. With that in mind, what are my options?

I know KMAC makes camber plates for these cars, but I've heard mixed reviews on them. For other options, there's always the option of slotting the strut towers (especially for such a small adjustment), but I don't know how well the struts on these cars will seat against the towers if they're moved inboard a little. And then there's the question of other camber plates. There are plenty of options for E39 540s and M5s. And KMAC lists the same plate for those cars as the E38. So that makes me wonder whether E39 plates will fit or can easily be made to fit. Any thoughts on that one?

[Sundaycruzer]

Slotting the strut towers would be permanently bad. There are strut mounts with a different degree of camber adjustment, I think is a degree or so. I’m not sure who sells them anymore. I purchased bc coilovers and they came with camber plates. 5-6 years ago, still running strong. Sometimes it’s easier to look for e39 performance parts if your not finding what you want.

[rslifkin]

Sometimes it’s easier to look for e39 performance parts if your not finding what you want.

That's one of the big things I was questioning. How much of the E39 suspension stuff interchanges directly as far as strut mounts, camber plates, etc?

[Sundaycruzer]

That's one of the big things I was questioning. How much of the E39 suspension stuff interchanges directly as far as strut mounts, camber plates, etc?

All of it. Suspension wise

[rslifkin]

All of it. Suspension wise

That's good news! So that means I should basically be able to buy E39 camber plates and just bolt them in? Or would I have to swap to E39 strut mounts or something?

[Sundaycruzer]

Nope there the same. I think the spring rate might be different and the engine cradle is different, otherwise all the other parts are the same.

[rslifkin]

Well that makes this much easier than I feared it might be. Thanks for the quick help!

[Sundaycruzer]

Well that makes this much easier than I feared it might be. Thanks for the quick help!

[benjaminearle]

So I'll jump in here and attempt to resurrect - just purchased KW V1s all around for my '99 540iTA. They're made to use stock top mounts on the struts but from experience I know my camber needs a little help and I'd like to put in caster/camber adjustable (not a fixed change) strut mounts. What fits? When I search, I get E36/E46 stuff and can't tell if they actually fit. Alas, then I find Camber-only units from Ground Control, but whereas they say 540/M5; the caster/camber units say only M5.

Again, what fits?

[rslifkin]

I'm using these from Ground Control. They say M5 but they fit perfectly. 540, M5 and E38 front strut mounts are all interchangeable. https://groundcontrolstore.com/produ...ter-plate-pair

They don't actually have any meaningful caster adjustment from what I can tell though. They're just camber plates with maybe enough wiggle room to get a tenth or 2 of a degree of camber adjustment.

[benjaminearle]

Thanks. I found some other ones on the eBay and will be giving them a shot. If they rattle my teeth out I'll get a smoothie and some of these.

[DGMe46]

Thanks love this forum