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Decided to 5 lug swap the M30. The main reason was to put the brand new wheels and tires I bought for the Z31 to use. The were on the Z31 about 300 miles before it blew up and I really don't want $880 worth of BFG Sport Comp 2's to rot away.
So far the rears are swapped but I still have to drill the rotors, I'm waiting for extended wheel studs before I do the front. I have the front wheel just sitting in front of the stock wheel, the rear is on the hub. I'm happy I decided to do this, looks like these wheels look even better on the M30 than they did on the Z.
Well the rears are done. Was working on the front and find out I'm missing the new steering knuckles I need. I have a friend sending me a set this week. So with any luck I'll have it all done next weekend and can post up pics.
So got the thing all together today only to find the new front spindles change the castor angle a good deal and that puts the front tires into everything. I'm not sure I'll be able to make these wheels and tires work. They look amazing but I can't drive for fear of ripping the fenders and bumper off
So I've discovered the main issue. The parts recommended to me and what I used to convert the front to 5 lug are not ideal. They changed the front caster a lot which is a huge part of my problem. I'm looking into alternative ways to convert the front. We'll see what happens.
On a positive note I love the way the wheels look on this car. Much better than the Z31 if I say so myself.
Well I had to break down and do the S13 front suspension swap to the M30. A stock ball joint failed and not a single parts place can get ball joints for it... I have to do a whole front suspension swap because of a $10 dollar part. This is the life of having a rare car
So I bought an entire S13 front crossmember to pillage all the parts from.
I learned a valuable lesson today. Working on the M30 and taking what another M30 guys said at face value has left me in a situation where I have to buy more parts because some of the parts I have don't fit. Always Google fitment of part peeps. S13 tie rod ends will not fit S14 inner tie rods. No matter how much a guy insists "that's what I have on mine!"
Got most of the drivers side done, minus the tie rod ends I had to order... The S13 stuff is longer than the stock stuff so the fancy wheels and tires are a no go. Changed the offset needs big time somewhere around 25mm. I really don't feel like doing the work to go back to 4 lug so I drug out my old Z33 wheels. The fronts fit perfectly. I haven't tried to fit a rear yet but I'd bet then need a spacer to look right. So I'll likely just put the z33 wheels on.
Well at this rate this might turn into a build thread There is a good chance I have to shorten the inner tie rods an inch or so. With the tie rod end completely bottomed out on the inner tie rod it is still toed in several degrees. Also has -3* or so of camber that I am unable to adjust out with the camber plates on my coil overs. That and the toe in it's no wonder all the guys that do this swap complain about tire wear. However they will argue with you and claim everything is fine. I see adjustable control arms in my future. However I still need to finish the passenger side so I won't judge yet. Hopefully everything will line up... However I have my doubts. Looks ok with the Z33 wheels, fitment is much better.
09-18-2016, 04:39 PM
