My E36 M3 - Ls1/T56 Swap Begins | FerrariChat

My E36 M3 - Ls1/T56 Swap Begins

Discussion in 'Other German' started by one4torque, Dec 15, 2018.

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  1. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    I started this anew, as I was going to install an S54 on the other thread..... BEFORE I got the quotes for a fresh S54. I have a vorshlag lsx swap kit available, and my E36 S52 motor ready to sell. So here goes.

    Putting the stock engine/trans up for sale.... with vid doc current good condition.



    LS1/T56 from low mile 2002 forumla arrive next week. Will document the build.
    This is not new.... as several ls swap e36's have been performed in various levels of performance and fit/finish, and purpose.... from drift to hoon to track car...... I'll start with a street focus, get it reliable for daily driver duty.... passing emmisions, ac working etc.... then branch out to ax, and De's..... then perhaps a more dedicated track car that is street legal.

    wish me luck.....
     
  2. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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  3. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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  4. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    12.20.18 update:
    * Shipping company called, ls1/t56 to be dropped off with pallet jack tomorrow 10am-4pm. I picked up a harbor freight roller cart for delivery.
    * Dismantle of S52 (stock m3 engine) in progress: Pulled head, cams, headers, cooling system, ex system, drive shaft..... will be putting all the parts up for sale on m3 forums... and fleabay. these used S52 parts command decent money...... usable head ($500), M3 cams ($650), trans $650, to help cover my swap costs.

    Left to order for swap:
    1. wiring specialties custom harness adapter. Will order after I see the ls motor and wire loom so I know what to spec with WS.
    2. now is a good time to install a better cam, and springs...... debating this mod now or later, as motor is so low miles.... and this power level on stock m3 tires will = smoke aleady in stock form.
    3. will need to decide on exhaust...... re-run stock m3 exhaust..... or weld up something more free flowing......
    4. will need to decide if I go with the stock Mass Air meter... or switch to speed density tune and ditch the mas...... will need to talk to a tuner for this.
     
  5. NaO

    NaO Karting

    Apr 23, 2017
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    Awesome! This will be a lot of fun to follow. Are you planning on keeping your ls1 N.A?


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  6. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Ultimate plans are for hpde duty in Texas heat. So nat asp ftw.

    I can make reliable 400hp w cam intake tune.
     
  7. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    2. Do it later. See how it runs in its current configuration. It’s relatively orvette.easy to drain and remove the radiator later for a cam change.
    3. Definitely change the exhaust. You have almost unlimited options. And I think you’ll find that in going from a straight six to a V-8, you’ll simply have to. Rams horn headers are compact and should fit, and the reproduction Corvette off-roads sound great. I have them hooked up to the 350 in my ‘61 Corvette.

    Matt
     
  8. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Matt-

    Agree on cam swap. Will wait.

    Already have custom swap long tube headers.

    Will do some research on how restrictive the. M3 dual ex is along w my dinan cat back muff on a stock ls.
     
  9. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    What size is the outlet on your headers?

    The M3 exhaust is 50mm. Perhaps your Dinan is bigger.

    Each outlet on the V-8 should be bigger alone. I’d run a dual exhaust, perhaps with twin pipes where the stock pipes are.

    Matt
     
  10. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Bonus—- upon inspection of my engine and trans that arr today— I’m pleased to see I got the 2002 model variant which already has Ls6 intake, and mine is one of 25% in 2002 that got the Ls6 block. Supposed to better design at high rpm w less crank case balance pressure due to window design.

    Also had Ls6 clutch Assy.


    So I’m a cam and tune away from 400+ hp/tq.
     
  11. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Bimmer motor parts now listed on fleabay. wish me luck.. can use those funds for a cam/port heads.

    Just send PCU off for start-up tune.... and headers out to Jet-hot coating. Going with classic polish finish. Shiney.
     
  12. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    As a guy who has an LS6, I can say it is an awesome engine!
     
  13. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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  14. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    This is great! Thanks for taking the time to post this swap.
     
  15. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I race ls6 based c5z06. The ls1 can bolt on 799 or 243 heads and you got an ls6 if you already have the ls6 intake and ls6 cam. I have LG pro long tube headers if you need. You want 3” pipes after the collector. You can tune the ls1 pcm to ls6 spec or tune for more power.
     
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  16. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Fbb- thx, and that must have been fun racing!

    I’m building this in hopes of playing with my buddies gt3 on track..... the old bimmer 3.2 was too tired for any track time.
     
  17. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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  18. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    1.26.19 update -

    glad I dropped the rear subframe, as I've heard the mounts crack...... and yes my rlca drives side mount was cracked. new reinforcement plates arriving today.... will tig well in place.

    rebuilt cv joints for rear axles..... major pain..... what is your time worth type of deal? but I wanted to 'experience' this build in all of it's glory, blood, sweat, tears..... and tire smoke.

    and finally rear sub dropped with diff..... all degreased/p washed ready for me to replace stock 188k miles bushings with some poly units.

    enjoy the pics....... this is a long process happening in my spare time..... after a 50 hr work week :)

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  19. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    oh and thinking last night over a brew my project goals:

    1/4 mile - 11's on street tires or sticky road race rubber, AND
    autocross - top 10% in raw times at local level.....
    HPDE - be able to reliably run 3-5 20 min sessions @ cota this summer,,,,,, AND attempt to play with my buddies 'buy a new gt3 every year' times......
    oh... and attend cars and coffee without serious assult from the bimmer crowd for such a build!
     
  20. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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  21. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    Nice work.

    What rear axle are you using?

    Matt
     
  22. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    right now to ease my budget.... just running rebuilt stock m3 axles........ but have a spare set as cores for 1000hp upgrades later. Will dep on how committed I get to a 11 sec 1/4 mile.........
     
  23. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Turning Point on Project today..... no more pulling parts off.... and finished welding on the chassis support mounts!

    Finally time for the fun bit.... putting on new parts!

    car in current state -
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    rear subframe re-installed with poly bushings -
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    LS fuel system sorted out...... return-less at motor...... uses c5 or c6 fuel filter which re-route return fuel -
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    cleaned gas tank.... sorted out duel fuel pump to avoid starvation in long sweeping turns with sticky tires..... oh I can't wait -
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  24. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    LAST welding on this project until I do the custom exhaust.

    Was really nice to weld on a table this time instead of on my back.....

    rear flimsly control arms reinforcement plates welded in......

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  25. one4torque

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    Also forgot to mention— I have truck flow heads cam pkg en route for 515hp.
     

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