engine and drivetrain Talk Of 5 Lug Conversion

[justinevert]

Recently there was some talk about 5 lug conversions for high end engine upgrades.

I know we can use E12 front hubs with tii struts but what about the back end? The E30 still had the 4 lug set up, and with all the talk about E36 pumpkins and 2002Haus rear sub frame set up, what can we use for 5 lugs.

I have seen some old projects from Sweden showing the 5 lugs do I know it is doable.

Your '02 cents please.

Thanks!

Justin

[Mike_B]

Sports Car Restoration reworked an E30 rear subframe for my pig cheek car. It has a wider track, so flares are required, but it would allow for the use of either E30M3 or E36 318Ti / Z3 trailing arms to achieve the 5-lug.

[Mike_B]

Custom hubs are also an option. I think someone on the FAQ was working on them a while back.

[Rocan]

I don't really see why people would want a 5 lug setup... If it's massive horsepower (+350hp), then the stub axles are the problem and not the 4 lugs. Billet stub axles are cheaper and easier then changing the whole subframe. 

 

If it's for wheel choice... well, I think you're silly if you'd go through all that work just for a certain wheel. 

[roadhog0]

There was a car at the Portland auto show last year with custom 5 lug hubs.

[justinevert]

I don't really see why people would want a 5 lug setup... If it's massive horsepower (+350hp), then the stub axles are the problem and not the 4 lugs. Billet stub axles are cheaper and easier then changing the whole subframe. 

 

If it's for wheel choice... well, I think you're silly if you'd go through all that work just for a certain wheel.

What would a pair of stub axles and hubs run then?

Thanks !

Justn

[AceAndrew]

What would a pair of stub axles and hubs run then?

Thanks !

Justn

 

Rocan made a good point you didn't seem to understand.  5-lug's are not the weak point.

 

Why on earth do people WANT 5-lug?  If it's for looks, then fine, but be prepared to pay a lot.

 

It has been done by the ways already mentioned,  fabbing in a subframe from an E30 (and using M3 hubs) or other (that Sweden car you might be thinking of Oscar Kronlid's, it's the in the project section.  He's running the E28 rear end and had to notch into the underbody in addition the fabbing subframe mount attachment points.    )

 

Draco02 did some 5lug hubs and asked for interest in the for sale section not 6 months ago.  Still be prepared to pay quite a bit AND fab together some sort of brake setup (unless you think redrilling the drums is an option).

[Rocan]

What would a pair of stub axles and hubs run then?

Thanks !

Justn

 

A lot less than a custom subframe, and a lot easier than a 5 lug.

 

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-clutch-driveline/02stubaxle.html

 

 

Really though, you haven't said WHY you want a 5 lug/ upgraded stub axles. Truth be told, if you have the capabilities to build something that requires upgraded drivetrain parts (+200hp, or some kind of race/rally car) then you would understand the work involved and the point in swapping to 5 lug or upgraded stub axles. Otherwise, don't waste your money. 

[Todd21]

My opinion here, but I think what has always driven the 5 lug discussion has been wheel choice and not people sheering off lugs. As others have said, there are several other weak point in the drivetrain beyond the 4 lug connection of the wheels.

 

That said I have seen the 5 lug conversion adapters which push the wheel outward 20mm. If you were looking to run later wheels you would need to look at wheels in the 45mm offset range to account for the added 20mm adapter.

 

Wheel options, offset, and flares have been discussed to the point of exhaustion, but really come down to a personal choice of the owner.

 

Do research, learn what the pros and cons are, learn how offset places the wheel and tire in relation to the car, then decide what you want to do and drive on.

 

Todd 

[tinkwithanr]

Very valid points so far. If your looking for more wheel options, by far the best way to go would just be using the adapters Todd mentioned. It would be the easiest and cheapest option if your only going to end up with <200 HP and not racing on a track. 

 

For my project car I'm using E12 front struts (with custom roll center spacers to adapt them to the 2002 steering arm) and an E30 rear subframe assembly with Z3/E87 bits to convert it to 5-lug. Not only did this give me the 5-lug (which I admit I did partially for piece of mind, looks, and just because I could), but it also gave me much stronger axles, hubs and differential. Overae the ll it seemed like the best solution taking into account my increased power.

[TobyB]

ooo- then I could run Jenn's E46xi rims!  Awesome!

 

heh

 

t

[justinevert]

Please do show the Z3/E87 bits to convert it to 5-lug, I am very interested!!

Justin

[tinkwithanr]

Here's where I got all of my info. 

http://extradrei.com/5lug.html

 

 

Obviously it requires the use of an e30 rear subframe, and it does add track width so you'll need a different offset for your wheels.

[justinevert]

Well I have an E30 trailing arm set from a 323 to use the RDB set up, would it just be changing the hub set to the existing axel stubs right?

[RayC911]

Meet up with an 02er yesterday and here's how he did his 5 lug conversion. Looks simple enough....