So I've seen the startings of a couple threads in here but no real answers is this a viable swap? I know the weights are very close so the balance of the car can stay the same. The drivetrain would need serious beefing to handle the torque and a mean set of disc brakes front and rear. Any thoughts?

LS1 weighs 300lbs? Are you serious?

Obviously you'd be the first to try it, so I don't know what you want us to tell you.

go for it.......I have seen other american V8's in '02 before...... personally I think it's kinda silly.....I think a LS1 into a e36 is a much much better idea and fit and result.....

"GM lists a complete LS1 at 450 & 490 lbs fully dressed, the latter being w/ flywheel & clutch as opposed to flexplate for an auto." Quoted from random internet source.

Your car would drive like a shopping cart with 4 boxes of Mt Dew in the front. Not the end of the world, would be a good drag racer no doubt. Interferes with the soul of the car too much in my opinion. If your just using the shell and a bunch of chevy parts, you might as well start with any number of other small cars that had no soul of their own to begin with.

LS 1 into an E 30 or E 28 oooooo. I was contemplating the latter and came to my senses.
OK, my wife came to my senses.

I don't know what the whole fuss is about but, i plan on doing it.

The LS1 is a bit heavier but i seen a turbo 3 liter in one and it still had perfect 50 50 weight distribution. I was just trying to get some feedback on feasibility I dont even have a 02 yet im still looking. what about moving the firewall and putting the engine back 3-4 inches remember and LS1 is shorter than an M20 and all sorts of those swaps have been done an M20 weighs almost 400 pounds. The tranny is where I think the problems would appear.

I know there was a fellow that started a 289 swap into an 02 and stopped. I don't if the cost or engineering got to him. Hell, maybe he got bored.

The tranny is where I think the problems would appear.


Correct. The additional engine weight should be negligible. The fact that most, if not all of the engine is going to sit behind the axle line (like the original M10, unlike an M20/etc.) is a definite plus. The single biggest point of fabrication in my opinion will be rebuilding the transmission tunnel to fit around the T-56. If possible, look for an automatic transmission car to start with, as they have slightly larger transmission tunnels. It is still going to require quite a bit of modification however.

If you are realistic on this project, best of luck.

The LS1 is a bit heavier but i seen a turbo 3 liter in one and it still had perfect 50 50 weight distribution. I was just trying to get some feedback on feasibility I dont even have a 02 yet im still looking. what about moving the firewall and putting the engine back 3-4 inches remember and LS1 is shorter than an M20 and all sorts of those swaps have been done an M20 weighs almost 400 pounds. The tranny is where I think the problems would appear.
That car has far more engineering in it than just an engine swap. With that said I think it is feasible. You could get the engine back a bit, fabricate a tranny tunnel, move the battery and all that. You will have to fit a radiator in there and brace the nose if you cut it to fit a big radiator. You will need to do rack and pinion steering and fabricate headers to get around all of that stuff. You will also need to figure out engine management. If you can get it running and driving you will run into other weak points such as the diff.

I'm a fan of the LSx motors but I'd rather keep a 4 cyl BMW motor in the 02.

However its your car and money so do what you want. Headers will be one of the most expensive problems to overcome. Next will be the differential fabbing and driveshaft to make it work. Ford rear ends are very strong and relatively cheap (especially compared to anything european)

If a turbo S50 in a 2002 had 50/50 weight distribution then a LS1 should also be capable of that balance. The LS1 is close or maybe lighter than an S50 and it sits back further; which also helps. I know the LS1 weighs less than an S52 but I don't have any exact specs to quote. Iron block straight 6's are heavy. The LS1 has aluminum block, heads, and is shorter in length.

Don't forget to upgrade the brakes to stop this monster :eyecrazy

for engine management; either massive carbs or megasquirt it

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,download/id,22042/

^^^ crazy. why not just put a V8 on a skateboard :lol

The LS1 is a bit heavier but i seen a turbo 3 liter in one and it still had perfect 50 50 weight distribution. I was just trying to get some feedback on feasibility I dont even have a 02 yet im still looking. what about moving the firewall and putting the engine back 3-4 inches remember and LS1 is shorter than an M20 and all sorts of those swaps have been done an M20 weighs almost 400 pounds. The tranny is where I think the problems would appear.

it had perfect weight distribution, cause the guy spent money modding the firewall, and pushing the engine back alot further to achieve the 50/50.

With enough money you can do anything.

My brother in-law Rodney AKA Bavarian Love his '76 is gonna be the tester he wants to go LS1 with a TH400 and a Ford 9 inch. We'll cut the firewall and tranny tunnel out and fab new ones Shooting for that perfect 50-50 weight If it works out I'll do mine with a T56 and reardiff from an e39. Were going where no one has because it has to be done. 450+ horse and 450+ torque 2200 lbs you do the math

^^^ I'm willing to help test drive :evil2 :buttrock :redspot

320 with an LS 1 installed for sale on E bay.

it had perfect weight distribution, cause the guy spent money modding the firewall, and pushing the engine back alot further to achieve the 50/50.

With enough money you can do anything.
It wasn't just pushing an engine back
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1010776

It wasn't just pushing an engine back
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1010776

This has absolutely nothing to do with a ls1 swap.

I'm a fan of the LSx motors but I'd rather keep a 4 cyl BMW motor in the 02.

However its your car and money so do what you want. Headers will be one of the most expensive problems to overcome. Next will be the differential fabbing and driveshaft to make it work. Ford rear ends are very strong and relatively cheap (especially compared to anything european)

If a turbo S50 in a 2002 had 50/50 weight distribution then a LS1 should also be capable of that balance. The LS1 is close or maybe lighter than an S50 and it sits back further; which also helps. I know the LS1 weighs less than an S52 but I don't have any exact specs to quote. Iron block straight 6's are heavy. The LS1 has aluminum block, heads, and is shorter in length.

Don't forget to upgrade the brakes to stop this monster :eyecrazy

A fully dressed s52 is almost exactly 100 lbs. heavier than a fully dressed ls1.