Sway bar madness

[RBE36]

Hey fellas

Front sway bar questions

I searched, but couldn't seem to find a definitive answer.

After market e36 front sway bar manufacturers have 3 listings for e36 front bars essentially.

"M" style
"non M" style
and the 318ti is always listed separate.

Any one have an idea to this?

I was under the impression generally all e36 bars were the same, save for the curvature to accomadate the strut mounted "M" tabs.

Whats so unique about the Ti?

Is the frame marginally different?

I am swapping in a nissan six cylinder, and would like a bar that clears the oil pan and mounts to my M struts.

Thanks guys,

Brian

[MINIz guy]

There doesn't seem to be anything unique to the Ti. If anything, the Ti's are more open to all kinds of sway bar options compared to the six cylinder E36's.

When comparing to the 26 mm front bar of the 318ti Sport to a 25.5 or 24.5 mm M3 bar, the Ti bar has less of a dip to clear the oil pan. Essentially, the Ti's front bar has the least clearance of all sway bars, but can still clear the M44's oil pan. From what I gathered, Ti's can use any sway bar and the only limiting factor is how it attaches to the control arm/strut.

TLDR; All brands of front sway bars should work if you have M struts and use the strut mounted sway bar tab.

[RBE36]

Hey thanks,

Looking at my 318 ti bar you are correct, and the loooong oil pan for the engine I am putting in would run smack into the stock bar.

Now, which bar......

Thanks again fella