Firstfives.org

Has anybody done this swap? I'm particular interrested in the subframe bushings fit to the chassis, as these are different. Does anybody have pictures or experiences to share?

Thanks,
Jan

I have not done it, but I've been told it fits straight up by someone who claimed they did it. Subframe bushings shouldn't be an issue, it's just one of the mounting points and as long as the mounting points are the same, it shouldn't matter if the bushing is a different type. Seems like emergency brake cables might be a minor problem, but I think that was all.

Ive done it!, I did it on my racer back in 03, great upgrade, bettter brake and diff choices, !
I did not install brake cables , on mine its a race car, as a matter fact,the ebrakes are completely gone.
As far as the bushings go, they are slightly different, forgive me my memory is a bit foggy but the e12 has a part that is kind of beveled that locates it in place , while the 28 style is flat faced, You could choice to ignore this but It would crate some different geometry, I made solid mounts out of steel and machined the bushing to fit the beveled insert to match the e12 style, I guess you could get a taltented machineisht to turn down stock e28 bushing to match this ??

other issues you wil run into, sway bar, and diff mount, and shocks.
you will want an early 528 e diff cover so you can use the stock e 12 diff mount location and mount
you will have to get mildly creative in mounting a swaybar, I used an e28 bar and fabbed up some body mounts for it , the e12 mounts to the subframe and the e28 doesn't have those mounts
you would also want e 28 shocks to match the trailing arms , allthough you can make the e12 stuff work


hope this helps

BD #112 black and blue

Thanks! I'll see what I can do.

My E12 apparently has an e28 rear subframe, I was told when I bought the car it bolted straight up, I dont know what the bushes are off. I also have a 7 series sport LSD on the car, the bracketry to hold this LSD on looks home made, but substantial. The only issue I can see is that the sway bar seems to interfere with the subframe mounting bolts somewhat, doesnt affect how it drives or handling from what I can tell, but it just doesnt look quite right. If you need me to take photos I could see what I could do.

That would be cool!

E12 subframe bushes bolt on in their cylinder, much easier (apparently) than E28's which have to be pulled.

Another major E28 improvement is they added dogbone pitmans for dynamic geometry changes.

I have an E28 rear axle in my E3, and it was a pretty easy swap. I had to weld new brackets on for my sway bar, run new brake lines, and modify the e-brake cable tubes, but it was a worthwhile project. I now have a 3.25 LSD from an E30 as compared to the old pegleg diff.

Wicked. My bro' would love to see that - he's got a '72 auto-Bav he wants to swap to a 5-speed one day. And my former was an E30 - loved that car but the family wouldn't tolerate me owning two after I found my Shark.

Here are some pics from the E3 google community, about halfway down the page are some pics of the installation.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/10510121530 ... ons&cfem=1