Vortec SBC 350 swap into a 95 318i

[Auto Parts Guy]

Yeah I know it's been talked about before and haters gonna hate () but I've got a 94 318i with a clear title I was going to scrap... however, a V8 into an e36 has always been appealing to me.

Sure an LS1 with a 6 speed would be sweet but that's not what this is about. I'm not a fan of automatics so a six speed T-56 will be in the future after I burn up the auto and/or actually get this thing drivable. This is intended to be a budget build for a would-be scrap car using mostly parts I already own.

I've got a 95 325i and a 97 M3 and a 96 Suburban with a Vortec 5.7L and auto trans, all complete parts cars. I will finally have the opportunity to actually make this happen after the new year.

Donor Suburban
burb.JPG

95 325i parts car
DSC05782.JPG

The lucky 94 318i
IMAG0056.JPG

Pics of the M3 are on my other computer sorry..

Basic Plans:
>Motor mounts, trans mounts I'll fab.
>Drive shaft: rear BMW yolk welded to the suburban front & cut to length
>Diff: 3.15 LSD from the 95 325i
>Radiator & electric fan from another parts car w/ separate trans cooler.
>Complete engine, trans, computer, and harness from Suburban
>Block hugger headers and custom dual exhaust ...& flowmasters
>Steering linkage will be modified with u-joints for clearance
>HD Bilstein struts
>Lots of parts from the 97 M3
>Oil pan to subframe clearance: Modified subframe or oil sump??
>gauges?? custom I guess.
>other major stuff? ideas? (to get it drivable)

[Rudolph320i]

go for it man, those engines are great and would make that thing fly. just remember to have a look at the suspension and make sure the front doesnt drag with those extra 4 cylinders up there.

[mobiletarget]

Dude, good luck fitting it in there! Otherwise, sounds awesome! keep updated.

[Pdwight]

I want to watch this happen

[Moron95M3]

don't


there isn't enough support for that vortec. I looked into it a little bit as I too have a crunched 96 yukon that I just pulled the 5.7 from last weekend. (have a 944 wanting GM power).

After my reading/discussion with some hot rod/drag friends, I was convinced to do a Gen 3 (LS) swap...the vortec is a pain to deal with tuning etc.



If you do do it...I want tons of build thread!!!! As then I would use it in my 944.... , lol.

[Auto Parts Guy]

Thanks guys I will def do a build thread with tons of pictures. I hope to start sometime in January.

Random thought. I wonder if the stock GM power steering pump would be ok to use connected to the other BMW steering components. I guess ATF could still be used?

I won't be doing much to this engine as far as aftermarket support. Maybe in another V8 project. This will just be for fun.

[Auto Parts Guy]

So I finally got around to taking the 350 out of the Suburban and doing somewhat of a rough test fit into the bimmer. Of course a few obvious issues that I knew I would have to deal with; the oil pan and the exhaust manifolds. I removed the exhaust manifolds and will look into a set of build-your-own headers or block huggers. The oil pan, I haven't decided yet. maybe front sump or modified subframe or it may fit once i remove that huge auto trans. I picked up a manual trans so I'm probably gonna go that route. I hate autos anyway, but we'll see.

This project will take a while so I apologize in advance for not being as quick with updates as I'd like to be. Goal is for it to be drivable by the end of the year. Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure

Suburban engine bay


BMW engine bay


Somebody get the lube it's gonna be a tight fit












oil pan hitting subframe


I think it would slide in if i took the trans off and was able to maneuver it a little better. Might need to drop the sub frame a couple inches too not sure yet.

[strad]

Huh that's interesting. My 99 Vortec (in my Tahoe) has a horizontally mounted oil filter. I see that yours is vertical.

Horizontally mounted oil filters always irritate me Make a mess every time I change the oil.

[Pdwight]

Well that HVAC Blower motor will never be any easier to get to...hahahah

Good luck with this

Dwight

[AlicecFrerichs]

those engines are great and would make that thing fly

[livefreeordie89]

if i remember from previous builds, you can take the oil pan and flip it, or maybe thats for m50's in e30's

[Schramm]

Subscribed. Looks like fun

[Auto Parts Guy]

So I removed the sagging trans tunnel insulation and was able to get the oil pan to clear the subframe. The 700R4 is too big & wide for me to really be able to position the engine at the correct angle so I'm going to remove it before I go further. The manual trans I'm going to use should fit fine though. I need to do something with the steering shaft. Thinking of routing it to the frame rail using universal joints so it clears the exhaust manifold.

[michal182]

wow looks cool man good luck with the build

[UnderCoverGuy11]

Yea good luck, looks pretty interesting, can't wait to see some more progress

[paniolo]

When you get that wedged in there do you go sit in the car to reflect? ... and make vrrrrroooooommmm .... vrrrrrooooommmm engine noises?

[dano670]

Do you own your own shop to do this work?

[Auto Parts Guy]

When you get that wedged in there do you go sit in the car to reflect? ... and make vrrrrroooooommmm .... vrrrrrooooommmm engine noises?

guilty. but it sounds more like GLAGLALAGLAGAGALAAAH!!! cause I pretend it has flowmasters or glasspacks

Do you own your own shop to do this work?

I do, nothing extravagant, but it's definitely handy for projects like this.

[paniolo]

When you get that wedged in there do you go sit in the car to reflect? ... and make vrrrrroooooommmm .... vrrrrrooooommmm engine noises?

guilty. but it sounds more like GLAGLALAGLAGAGALAAAH!!! cause I pretend it has flowmasters or glasspacks

Glad I'm not the only one! I told a female companion I did this and she laughed at me and said Really?!? I was like ... Yeah ... doesn't everyone?? She kind of rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded like "Guys really are from Mars!"

[328iFun]

this is awesome, i was glad when i saw this thread. I've had 2 camaros one with a 305 and one with a 350 and these motors are just solid. E36 chasity + American motor = a great street car.

Good luck man! let us know if you need any advice/assitance.

[Auto Parts Guy]

thanks! I love these motors too. The best balance of simplicity, power, weight, size, cost, etc.. I could use some ideas actually.. I took the trans off and was able to set the motor in the engine bay very easily. Almost too easily... But my concerns at the moment are the manifolds & the engine mounts (particularly on the driver side), and the steering box.

Block hugger headers should work fine on the passenger side but I'm wondering where exactly the header will dump and if I will be able to route it between the oil pan and steering shaft/box. It also could also interfere with the fabbed engine mount on that side. I think i might pick up a set of headers and see... Here are a few pics. Ideas are welcome.

Measurements for Hedman Tight Tube Street Rod Headers




Motor mount is above(ish) the steering box




Front-side view engine sitting in bay quite nicely. Hood should shut fine. I think...


Front view


Driver Side overhead view of steering / frame rail / subframe

[63hardtop]

Ever get this going? The E36 is a blast to drive with a decent power plant. The aftermarket support for sbc's makes them hard to ignore for projects like this. I couldn't pass one up for my drag car. sbc/E36/E85= 9.97@135mph. Any updates and pics of install to add?