Another sick car to wet your appetite

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496323

http://homepage.mac.com/owen_the_soyboy/.Pictures/LS1%20BMW/LS1m3a.jpg

Very cool indeed. Wonder what his total cost to swap was. His comment that it was easy makes me think the guy must be a wizard.

that is just sick!

That looks great.

Wow, makes a great car even better!

Very cool indeed. Wonder what his total cost to swap was. His comment that it was easy makes me think the guy must be a wizard.

Ya, apparently it is easy to put an ls1 into anything.

Look here, too.

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a358/redmistmotorsports/Dead%20557/

Ya, apparently it is easy to put an ls1 into anything.

The term "easy" is relative. There was nothing super difficult about my swap, but keep in mind I did not fab my own mounts or headers. Props to anyone who has the skills to make an equal length header for this swap.

Ya, apparently it is easy to put an ls1 into anything.

I have heard this as well. There still must have been a lot fabrication...

Anything is possible with proper tools and skill.
However it's hard to start the project.

The term "easy" is relative. There was nothing super difficult about my swap, but keep in mind I did not fab my own mounts or headers. Props to anyone who has the skills to make an equal length header for this swap.


LS1's are huge in the swapping world. I've seen an LS1 in everything from a 2nd Gen RX-7, to a Volvo Station Wagon (turbo'd, nicknamed the Vo-Vette), to a Datsun, to that sick BMW^.

I'd like to see an ls1 in an e34. I think that would be baaaad.

I'd like to see an ls1 in an e34. I think that would be baaaad.

You've got an e34 ... hmmmmm

New project in the works?

How much does a swap like this cost? Not including motor and tranny.

I'd like to see an ls1 in an e34. I think that would be baaaad.

You might.Instead of upgrading my new(used) dinan s/c kit,I am thinkingg about taking everything out and going with a LSX @650 n/a hp.:)

You might.Instead of upgrading my new(uses) dinan s/c kit,I am thing about taking everything out and going with a LSX @650 n/a hp.:)

If you do, post lotsa pics! I'm thinking of doing the same thing, but will have to gather parts as time and $$$ allow. A different DD would be nice, too.

I'd like to see an ls1 in an e34. I think that would be baaaad.

Give me about a year... My goal is to buy a motor/tranny this summer and get all the swap parts so i can do it next winter.

Man. Thats a wicked car.

If I could afford that, an LS1 is the engine I would defenitly put in my E34:redspot

The concept is prety cool, and it must be quick. However, the janky radiator and associated plumbing show he must have cut corners elsewhere too!

I remember this guy, they tore him a new one over at S14.net IIRC. I have seen this car before, and I plan to eventually do an LSx (hopefully LS7) swap into my e30 in the future when I am not quite the poor college student I am now.

EDIT: Oh yeah, he also got the sort of deal on the M3 that most people wait their entire lives for, but never find. He got a clean, well kept, relatively low mileage, stock e30 M3 for like $7K

I'd like to see an ls1 in an e34. I think that would be baaaad.

;) :devillook

We've been working on a non-m3 e30 LS1 since June. We are nearing completion, and it should be done by summer. We have tons of pics and one of these days I'll make a build up thread. We also fabbed up our own mounts. Currently the only major (but it is the most major) work left is the exhaust. Vette headers should work with a little modification the way we built our mounts though.

We've been working on a non-m3 e30 LS1 since June. We are nearing completion, and it should be done by summer. We have tons of pics and one of these days I'll make a build up thread. We also fabbed up our own mounts. Currently the only major (but it is the most major) work left is the exhaust. Vette headers should work with a little modification the way we built our mounts though.

Id really like to see this. The only thing im worried about myself in the wiring and possibly a little header work. I hate electronics..

Id really like to see this. The only thing im worried about myself in the wiring and possibly a little header work. I hate electronics..

Headers are going to be much more challenging than the electrical work....there is plenty of aftermarket support in the electrical department.

Yeah, the headers are going to be the most difficult part. We have some Vette headers coming that we think will work with some modification. We actually have the electrical completely figured out so that should go smoothly. Also we've purchased a wiring harness for it so that simplifies things quite a bit.

Roughly Estimate How much this conver. cost anyone?

I also was told these all alum motors has less wieght than s50,and s52? True?

I also was told these all alum motors has less wieght than s50,and s52? True?

Yeah, I've heard this is true also. Our car should come out weighing about the same as it was to start out with, +maybe 100lbs or so!

Oh, and we got our engine, tranny, driveshaft, accessories, etc, for $4000. With other bits that we've had to aquire I'd say we're between 5000 and 5500 right now. Once it's done I'll check the overall.

would it fit in a 318is? relatively easy?

Yes it would fit. No it would not be "easy." It requires a lot of special fabrication (Engine Mounts, Tranny Mount, Headers, Exhaust, random other shit). Also, we are keeping ours with ABS, Air Conditioning, etc...so the wiring is a little complex (obviously going from an 80's german car to a 2000ish American motor). If you have a fairly complete shop and are proficient you could do it and figure it yourself, or you could wait till this summer and I could tell you exactly what to do;)

Headers are going to be much more challenging than the electrical work....there is plenty of aftermarket support in the electrical department.
ever thought of the "shorty" type headers they use in street rods?

http://2koolperformance.ca/images/specials/april2006/2/BBK-Shorty-Headers-from-onl.jpg

That would work, granted they aren't choked off by the strut towers and wheel wells, there sounds like there would be a lot of clearance issues, but once those are worked out, it would be the same as almost any other engine swap.

-Dave

do you think a mechanic shop would do somethign like this??

Not a chance, unless it's a performance shop with a craving for your dollars!

-Dave

I would have never thought it would fit, but there it is.
Nice.

does this guy live in washington?

does this guy live in washington?

Yes he does. I think he lives in Gig Harbor even. He gave us a lot of information when we were first starting out. A very helpful guy. I even recall him telling me he was (or was thinking of) doing an LS7 swap in the near future!

ever thought of the "shorty" type headers they use in street rods?

http://2koolperformance.ca/images/specials/april2006/2/BBK-Shorty-Headers-from-onl.jpg

I actually tried the Hooker shorty's when I was mocking everything up. Passenger side was fine, but the flange on the driver side was sitting right on top of the steering shaft. With some work I'm sure you could make them work, but I opted for Mike Collins' long tubes instead.

this is a killer swap, back when i had my '89 325iS i was thinking about doing the same swap

We need pics of your progress!