Group Buy: E30 Hub Conversion
 

Edit: If you're finding this thread for the first time the group buy has ended. But don't despair, because of the great feedback here the hubs have taken off and I'm now offering them through BroFab a new start up business built around these hubs. So please checkout the website for any future hub needs!

www.Bro-Fab.com


Cracked hubs are a very real problem on Miata's with high grip. Once you progress to spec Miata levels of grip (R7's) or even with the latest crops of 225/245 200TW street tires the front hubs become a disposable item often requiring yearly replacements to avoid the dreaded cracked hub and totaled car. Recently there has been a great billet hub solution brought to market and have been a savior for a lot of race teams and serious privateers. For the average weekend warrior they are simply priced out of being an option.

I’m an engineer, fabricator and all-around car nut who enjoys making more than purchasing and decided to come up with a cost effect hub solution and have been tracking, auto-xing and street driving a prototype for 2 years now. I started with an off the shelf e30 hub, as you can see the hub is much beefier than the Miata hub and has been proven reliable for years on track cars across the world.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...769699df20.jpg


This kit includes a set of modified bearings (three choices), stud conversion, hub adapter, spindle sleeve and HD washer as well as a new spindle nut. These adapters combine to create a crack proof wheel bearing that allows all standard Miata brake hardware to bolt up. Wheel offset is not altered and once installed functions exactly the same as stock….but without the risk of cracking. My original goal was to use off the shelf bearings that could be purchased at any parts store but unfortunately there is a lip that needs machined / ground / cut off the bearing to allow for all the stock Miata brake hardware to work. I provide the modification in the kit but if you wanted to modify your own bearings for future replacement it can easily be done since the cut can be made with almost anything.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...eac7a4bc79.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7367078b5c.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...77989a3ace.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...407f1e41bf.jpg

Economy Kit (pair)
This will include:

Drivestar bearings machined to fit
Spindle spacer and washer
Custom Wheel spacers
New spindle nut
Economy screw in wheel studs or Bimmerworld studs

Price: 350$ shipped in the continental US
390$ shipped with the bimmer world studs

My thoughts are this kit will attract the track rat that has the grip but not the cash and doesn't mind changing bearings out every now and then when they get noisy. You can buy 5 drivestar bearings for the price of a single SKF/FAG unit and I’ve yet to wear one out in 20+ hrs of track time 25 auto-x events and 10k street miles. Main objective is to eliminate the chance of cracked hubs on the car.


Racer Kit (pair)
This will include:

Your choice of Timkin or OEM BMW bearings machined to fit (still looking for a better deal on these)*
Spindle spacer and washer
Custom Wheel spacers
New spindle nut
Shouldered bimmerworld studs

Price: 600$ shipped in the continental US with Timkin bearings
675$ shipped in the continental US with OEM BMW bearings

The objective of this kit is to supply the best parts available for the E30 to ensure that a noisy bearing won’t end a race early. This kit will also have the beefier bimmerworld studs that Cwatson has attested to being a more durable option. Crack prevention of course is ensured as well.

* I'm having a hard time finding a better source for SKF, FAG or OEM bearings, seems all the reasonably priced places for the SKF or FAG bearings are sold out at the moment. My costs are the same no matter what bearing is selected, just trying to pass the savings on to the consumer.


Spare machined bearings will be priced as:

Drivestar: 27$ Ea. plus shipping
Timkin: 127$ Ea. plus shipping
OEM BWM: 175$ Ea. plus shipping

I have been able to adapt the Miata ABS tone ring to the E30 bearings so please contact me if this is something you need.

This initial group buy will be for 10 sets, I just need to know your name, bearing and stud preference and I'll order the bearings and studs and hopefully turn them around in 1-2 weeks, payment will be due at time of shipment.

There is no warranty per say on these kits, but these are new to market so I am offering a 6 months no questions asked full refund if you decide you don't like them for any reason. This will most likely change going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please. paid/shipped
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please. paid/shipped
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.paid/shipped
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please. paid/shipped
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please. paid/shipped
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs paid/shipped
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs pleasepaid/shipped
9. Sierra_Bravo economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.paid/shipped
10.Gee Emm - economy bearing bimmerworld studs paid

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16. jspadaro economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
17. skipstr economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
18. navalhawkeye economy bearings, bimmerworld studs (ABS rings?)
19.dleavitt economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
20. Drezi economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
21. thegrapist economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
22. turbofan poverty bearings, bimmerworld studs. Interested in ABS rings but not strictly required right now.
23. moocow: poverty bearings, economy studs.
24. x_25: poverty bearings, economy studs.
25. Joker economy/poverty bearings, Bimmerworld Studs
26. GotBoost economy/poverty kit/bearings, Bimmerworld Studs, 2x spare poverty bearings

Thanks! I am curious if we can upgrade bearings in the future?

Yep, you can swap bearings to anything you want, just have to trim the hub protrusion.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a26497a9b7.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5c931f9c02.jpg

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

What's the thread on the Bimmerworld studs?

If you read through my thread in the race section cwatson has some feedback that they get longer life out of them. They cost 10$ per stud vs. 5$ for the economy studs.

Sorry i meant like... can i still use my super sweet 949 racing lug nuts? :rofl:

Dur her.....lol. yeah same as Miata pitch

Ok i'm in on an economy kit with Bimmerworld studs, BUT i'm not likely to do anything with my car this year. So i am pre-emptively offering to bump myself to the next Group Buy if this one fills.

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Cats for you; very nice work!

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs


This should pair up nicely with the MRS rear hubs.

Yeah if I had more time I'd machine them up as a set. Sadfab is kicking ass on them though.

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

I'm noticing a pattern :cool:

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7.
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8.
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please
9.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please
9. Sierra_Bravo economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

Copy and paste this list going forward.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please
9. Sierra_Bravo economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
.................................................. ..................................................

11.Gee Emm - economy bearing bimmerworld studs

I understand you are only doing 10 sets, I am just staking a claim on any followup run. :x:

Can I suggest you keep this list going, at least on a 'no commitment, price TBC' basis This might give you some handle on the scale of the demand.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please
9. Sierra_Bravo economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
10.concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
.................................................. ..................................................

11. Gee Emm - economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)

Jesus.....I sleep for 7 hrs and you goobers fill up the list, yeah definitely keep it going. I bumped Concealer404 to the second batch.

Anyone want any spare bearings? Let me know ASAP placing the order today.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please
9. Sierra_Bravo economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
10.Gee Emm - economy bearing bimmerworld studs
.................................................. ..................................................

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13.
14.
15.
16.
17
18.
19.
20.

1. sonofthehill economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
2. bahurd economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
3. 99mx5 economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
4. TheBandit economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
5. BigEasy economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
6. Leboeuf economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
7. pcormier66 race kit timken with bimmerworld studs
8. portabull economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please
9. Sierra_Bravo economy bearings with bimmerworld studs please.
10.Gee Emm - economy bearing bimmerworld studs
.................................................. ..................................................

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14.
15.
16.
17
18.
19.
20.

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15.
16.
17
18.
19.
20.

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16.
17
18.
19.
20.

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16. jspadaro economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
17
18.
19.
20.

I'll be ordering the second batch of spacers in the morning, should be a quicker turn around since they have the CNC program made now. Other issue I've run into is I've bought every drivestar bearing on the market, should have enough to make it to #17 on the list. Trying to get in touch with the manufacturer to purchase directly, in the mean time might have to try another brand of economy bearing. From what I can see there are 2 different casting/machining patterns and seal colors so I'll try to stick with what matches the drivestar.

Thanks for doing this

Do you have any pictures of what needs to be cut off of the bearing or a part number for the drivestars?

The OEM parts number is 513111, you can search around for the various bearing options.

Take a look at post #3, that pretty much shows what needs removed. Wheel hub protrusion needs taken down until the spacer sits flush. Just above the brake rotor register is plenty.

Perfect, thanks!

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16. jspadaro economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
17. skipstr economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
18.
19.
20.

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs

12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16. jspadaro economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
17. skipstr economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
18. navalhawkeye economy bearings, bimmerworld studs (ABS rings?)
19.
20.

Navelhawkeye, let's discuss the ABS rings, I've successfully machined the Miata tone ring to fit on the BMW bearing, the issue I have is I don't think I have enough rings to sell them outright, would you have a spare set you could pull from old bearings?

PM'ing.

In other news ....I'm getting used to people saying, "you want how many?" Studs and bearing have all shipped my way.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ed142bbc01.jpg

Just short the bearings which should be here in a few days, hope to get them machined over the weekend and out the door shortly after.

Pretty

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16. jspadaro economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
17. skipstr economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
18. navalhawkeye economy bearings, bimmerworld studs (ABS rings?)
19.dleavitt economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
20.

11. concealer404 economy bearing bimmerworld studs
12. Lokiel economy bearings with bimmerworld studs (assuming there will be a 2nd batch)
13. mweber economy bearing bimmerworld studs
14. RASKAR economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
15. Maplewood economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
16. jspadaro economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
17. skipstr economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
18. navalhawkeye economy bearings, bimmerworld studs (ABS rings?)
19.dleavitt economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
20. Drezi economy bearings, bimmerworld studs

Might as well go legit
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...44631a68f4.jpg


In case anyone was wondering I have an LLC setup for some of my wife's buisnesses, this will fall under that umbrella.

I was hoping for some variation of "The Internet Bro Fist":

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1938ca7b89.png

... and WooHoo, two batches of 10 have been ordered already (I HATE it when they take forever to fill the last spots)

Any possibility of still getting in on this?

21. thegrapist economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
22. turbofan poverty bearings, bimmerworld studs. Interested in ABS rings but not strictly required right now.

Yup, have another 20 sets of spacers on order, so I'm good up to 30 spots at the moment as long as I can find a source of poverty bearings. I grabbed a WJB branded cheap bearing from Rockauto to check out and it looks solid, machining is more similar to the timkin than the drivestar that I've tested. If folks don't mind trying these out they are in stock. Anyone past spot 15 would be in this boat unless the drivestar come back into stock.

Much woot.

I'm good with WJB.

Just got word from Drivestar, takes 3 months to ship from China so we'll be diving into other brands of poverty bearings.

WJB is a local company, I'm sure their stuff is manufactured in China but they seem legit :dunno:

I'm about 99% sure they at least get the raw castings from China, it was printed on the bearing. It was so close to the timkin it's uncanny. Which by the way the timkin bearing had fag printed on the bearing.

When I was an engineering tech for a certain US ball bearing mfg we were having trouble building bearings for a part shipped to Digital Equipment so we sourced them from Mueller (German). My bosses would only let me bring the tech rep in via the direct lab entrance vs through the plant (as though they didn’t know how to make bearings...).

Behold, poverty e30 hub on another Miata.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7c66b73f69.jpg
Ditching that scronny little thing.

I didn't use any bearing retaining compound, or anything except a thin layer of grease, between the axle and the sleeve. Hoping to be able to swap back if I want (no idea why I would want that?) :dunno: I also didn't repack the bearings with any special grease, as that is how I think Bronson did it. The inside of the sleeve has a nice radius to match the axle, I torqued it to 125 ft/lbs. Went together very nicely, I assumed that the cone shaped side of the washer faces in. I am also guessing that the new dust cover is the spacer, not sure if I am supposed to use the old ones(or new ones) underneath?

Overall I am very impressed so far!
:bigtu:
Thanks Bronson!

Unfortunately for being the the first paying customer you got thrown to the wolfs with no instructions or guidance of any kind. Luckily you figured it out, directions say to use a thin coat of grease on the sleeve with the taper towards the spindle, torque to Miata specs and the spacer becomes the dust cap. I didn't bother to repack the bearings......working just fine.

For the rest of you, there's a nice color installation guide with lots of pictures. Bearings should be here tomorrow so expect to be hearing from me throughout the week as I get them ready to ship.

Uh oh, unfortunately I ran into my first snag. I think the tolerance might be a little too tight for my stock NB wheels, just a smidge.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5b707a7080.jpg
I tried to tighten it down, bad idea, had a heck of a time getting the wheel back off. I knew I shouldn't have tried this right before a race day :facepalm:

Get me in on this train. Have a little play in my new (5 HPDEs) front hubs. Gotta stay off the curbs more at buttonwillow :vash:

21. thegrapist economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
22. turbofan poverty bearings, bimmerworld studs. Interested in ABS rings but not strictly required right now.
23. moocow: poverty bearings, economy studs.

Well shit, what wheels do you have? Can you throw a set of calipers on he snout?

Just so everyone knows, Bronson has already reached out to me to make this right. I also understand this kind of thing happens with the first runs of a cool new product.

I will take a measurement in the morning, I have the 15" 5 spoke NB wheels.

The Japanese engineer would’ve used the ISO fit system then. Hub dia is 54.1 and if they used a F8/h7 fit basis the factory hub tolerance would be Max 54.1- Min 54.07 with a wheel centering hub diameter of 54.176 - 54.13

We don’t actually know what fit tolerance they used

What diameter/tolerance are you making your hub snout?

EDIT: Corrected max dia typo to 54.1

This is what I get for waiting a few days to check in on this thread. Shwoops! That's ok though. I have zero time to get these on any time soon anyway.

21. thegrapist economy bearings, bimmerworld studs
22. turbofan poverty bearings, bimmerworld studs. Interested in ABS rings but not strictly required right now.
23. moocow: poverty bearings, economy studs.
24. x_25: poverty bearings, economy studs.