Re: gearbox
jonathan49bat said:
Is it true that to fit the five speed box one has to weld in a new mounting further back?
It depends which mounting your talking about.
If you mean the gearbox one the answer (as already stated) is no. However if you wish to use the 528 propshaft you need to move the centre proshaft bearing mount further back which invovles cutting and welding etc. If you don't want to go to all that trouble then you will have to have your four speed propshaft shortened. The reason you need to do this is that the front half of the two shafts are the same length so on the 528 the rear section of the prop is shorter by the same ammount that the 5 speed is longer that the 4 speed.
The E12 had a wider rear track so the whole subframe unit is wider it may be possible to fit the whole unit but I don't know anyone who has done this. The rear damper units are useable if you drill out the pilot markings in the damper towers this will convert your car to coil overs (I have this planned for my car) but I'm unsure about the spring lenght/poundage. At the front end it may be possible to use the front Mcpherson strut units BUT you would have to change the lower arm aswell or you will end up with positive camber on the front wheels. If you use the bottom arms you will widen the front track and that could cause tyre rubbing issues.
It's not really worth it. motor tranny, diff, front + rear sway bars and thats about it really unless you enjoy doing stuff for the sake of it.
