Hi,
I'm hoping to build a chassis to book dimensions, but want go with a deDion rear suspension setup. I want to avoid shortening driveshafts on a
Sierra diff, and as my current plans for a donor is to use a 318i BMW, I thought I would compare rear track widths. According to www.carfolio.com(I
need to measure to confirm), the BMW rear track is 55.9" (1420mm) as opposed to the escorts 56" (1423mm).
Is it just me, or would this not be a perfect replacement, given the rarity of Escort diffs, and the cheapness of E30 BMW parts.
Regards,
Stephen
Hi Stutz, and welcome to the nut house! 
Certainly sounds like a good candidate, definately worth the effort of finding one in a scrappy and measuring up, and looking at how it mounts. I
imagine the mounts wont cause too much of a problem though.
Let us all know your findings if you do look into it!
[Edited on 4/2/2004 by GO]
Excellent.
Another potential BMW based car.
Enjoy driving it while I'm still bleeping about talking about stuff on mine. 
yeh, the E30 transmission is good. Also, if tyou want to go for mega power, you can replace the diff for an M3 slipperdiff. But they are pretty
expensive.
Only thing im unsure of, though, is how to remove the hubs. Are they just bolt-ons, or are they pressed into the rear legs??
Ed.
welcome to the mad house,living in harow you are entilted to join the west london mafia,see under events for our next meet this coming sunday
Hi all,
Thanks for the warm welcome to the forum.
In answer to Ed's question about the hubs, I have attached a picture below. I am hoping to remove the wishbone section, and attach the deDion
tube roughly where the springs are seated. Not sure if this is a good idea though!
More info on the diff can be found at this site and
this site.
Hoping to drop the diff this weekend so will keep you posted.
Later,
Stephen
E30 Rear Hubs
[Edited on 5/2/04 by stutz]
Interestingly, the BMW driveshafts-or rather-C.V. joint bolt holes line up perfectly with Sierra driveflanges. A bit of useless trivia that may not be
so useless to someone, someday, perhaps someone who is designing or making Dedion tubes and needs a handy bearing carrier......
[Edited on 5/2/04 by Stu16v]
quote:
Originally posted by Stu16v
Interestingly, the BMW driveshafts-or rather-C.V. joint bolt holes line up perfectly with Sierra driveflanges. A bit of useless trivia that may not be so useless to someone, someday, perhaps someone who is designing or making Dedion tubes and needs a handy bearing carrier......
Stutz,
Darrens (GTS) is based on the sierra rear end.
HTH
Ned.
Correct me if I'm wrong (you'll have to join the queue though ) but isn't the E30's stud pattern 4x100 whilst the Scrote is
4x108?
The options would appear to be;
- re-stud the BMW hubs to 4x108
- use different wheels front and rear and no spare
- get multifit wheels
- get front uprights that are 4x100 (hint: it's spelt 'Chevette' )
Dominic
(who is using Chevette/Gemini front suspension in his FWD Corolla powered mid-engined beasty)
stutz, the GTS de dion kit uses Sierra back end and full Sierra track width. However it's suitable for a book width chassis so don't
discount using Ford bits.
Ofcourse if you already have the BMW parts then by all means use them but it could be a challenge.
quote:
Does that mean I could use an off the shelf deDion tube like GTS Tuning offers? Does anyone know if they are made to Escort or Sierra width?
quote:
Originally posted by stutz
Hi,
I'm hoping to build a chassis to book dimensions, but want go with a deDion rear suspension setup. I want to avoid shortening driveshafts on a Sierra diff, and as my current plans for a donor is to use a 318i BMW