1996 BMW 318ti 4 Wheel Drive Conversion

[Sweeney24]

How would I do a

4 wheel drive conversion to a

1996 BMW 318ti with a Ford V8, and what parts would I need?

[Sweeney24]

I am also planning to raise the ride height by several inches.

[pbonsalb]

I have been reading the forums for 15 years and this is not a common topic. Your project will be complicated by the V8, but I’d start by googling E36 AWD. You will find some leads.

[samy01]

probably best to try e46 or e30 awd parts. heavy modification will be necessary anyway.

[spyderg0d]

Just give up. Might as well just make your own car out of scrap.

[Sweeney24]

For your information spyderg0d the car is in the most appalling condition any BMW has ever been in, in other words IT IS A TURD! So I am basiclly starting from a scrap heap with a VIN number.

[spyderg0d]

Oh... In that case... Just scrap it and buy a 4wd car that has an adapter plate for a v8 to drop in.. Problem solved. Lol..

[Sweeney24]

I want to make this specific model/body style into a cool 4 wheel drive hot rod.

[R.Thomas]

Sounds like a good Gambler 500 project. You may want to consider swapping the body onto a modified truck chassis.

[JDStrickland]

How would I do a

4 wheel drive conversion to a

1996 BMW 318ti with a Ford V8, and what parts would I need?

This is one of those times where, "if you have to ask..."

[R.Thomas]

LOL touche ^

[ChuckDizzle]

This is one of those times where, "if you have to ask..."

A lot of money would resolve the issue

[Thrifty S50]

The Ti rear suspension and subframe is basically the same as the E30 and can be interchanged quite easy. The E30 did have an AWD model (the iX). Front subframe and suspension differ slightly but if you can mesh the subframes together you may get away with running the E30 iX front subframe, transfer case, etc.. and E36 Ti front suspension bits. The E30 shares a steering coupler with the E46, which also had an iX version so you may need to refer fo that front subframe as well.

Not sure the e30 iX stuff will hold up to V8 power, and it's also hard to come buy if you break something. Just something to think about. Maybe just 6cyl swap it using the E46 325iX as your basis for setting things up.

[mslevin]

Buy an old body on frame 4x4, cut up E36 body, place on frame. Connect steering and whatever else.

[Kendog]

Would an early x3 front drivetrain be an option? I did see an x5 m54b30 with a 5 speed at the scrapyard this summer. This sounds kinda fun.

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