My E36 M3 - Ls1/T56 Swap Begins

How big is your gas tank? LS6 figure 5.5mpg at full tilt! Thirsty!!!!

LS1 I bet is no better especially if making more than LS1 stock 350hp.

 

16 gallons

6mpg———-96 mile range

20 min session avg 70mph
23 miles

Can do 4 20 min sessions

 

parts going in .... the fun stage....

rear end fun...... (SFW type ) .....

rogue engineering rear diff cover with massive cooling fins, extra 1.5qt cap, and provisions for oil cooler later.

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waiting for some syn fluid before I bolt her up in home base.....
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here you can see: 1. welded reinforced lcs'a, 2. poly sub bushings, 3. big azz rear diff cover, 4. and rlca brackets..... getting close to finish the back half.... then on to the front subframe.... welding in reinforcements there... THEN time to build up the LSX power. heads, cam, blueprinted oil pump, etc, etc...

 

more progress.. was sick with flu for 2 weeks..... so back in the game.... want this running by MAY... before texas heat sets in!

re-installed fuel system with new fuel fuel pumps...... new fuel lines for the LS returnless system.

pulled the e36 m3 engine harness today to make way for the LS custom wiring spec swap harness!
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there is alot of "while I'm down here stuff"...... which is much easier to replace with engine and susp out..... this is the air con blower motor.... a 70 part that takes hours to replace with engine installed...... new one installed...... super fiddly.
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And new OEM trans tunnel insulation.....
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more progress today..... completed all the engine bay mods necessary to house the LS..... big job today was relocating the 4 channel ABS..... alot of wires to solder/heatshrink.... and new brake lines....... and cut off unused brackets........ I'm now more than 50% done!
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abs relocated, rear bearings pressed in, non m quick ratio z3 st rack installed..... getting loser.
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ls test fit today....
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obligatory Hurst Shifter.....
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Great progress!

 

Awesome!!!

Matt

 

Thx guys wasn’t sure if I was typing updates to myself . Hope you enjoy the build... trying to keep that nice mix of oem build quality and merge the best of bimmer and gm power.

 

This is awesome

 

Update - more progress -

fab'd a spacer for my shifter out of al stock - much better position.
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custom exhaust begins..... will be as follows:::: DUAL::: long tube headers, 3" collector >>> 3" spin-tech cat >>>> reduce to 2.5" >>>> 2.5" x-core resonator (dual in/out) >>>> 2.5" pipe to Borla muffler 2.5" dual in /out.
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Current status - new lifters, new hardened pushrods, new rr's (tq'd to base of cam), heads tq'd down, intake on, lokar throttle cable cut to length..... with out dog GSD.... 'V'... for Vespa - .
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Thanks for posting. I really enjoy these DIY projects
Nice looking dog btw.

 

Thx Greg.

Should do first start this weekend’

Ordered accusump setup this week to keep oil pressure on long sweepers. No budget for drysump.

 

1st START....

 

Started to sound good before it shut down. Issues? It looks like it’s coming along nicely. I’ve been a big fan of the Z3 swaps guys are doing as well.

 

Since this start was just to confirm it runs no need for long test. Engine is full of assy lube and 30 wgt.

Still needs exhaust cooling alternator..... fansetc...

 

Gotcha. Wasn’t sure if it stalled or you shut it down quick. But I know that’s a major step.

 

Native— it was a big deal since I had so many systems apart——. Dual fuel pumps, plumbing, wiring, custom eng harness, rebuilt eBay ls motor myself, etc etc. should just be plug and chug. From here.

 

That first fire after any engine swap or major tear down is always awesome to hear!

 

Native - WERD!

today doing OCD stuff... that is not fit for TV if this was a show......

* remove drivers header..... clearance the drivers frame-rail... header was rubbing.
* run new starter cable.....
..
the above sounds simple enough.... but 4 hrs of jostling the complicated assy of header, subframe, stearing shaft, and motor-mount......

 

with a streetable exhaust..... mostly m3 stuff....

 

Cool!

 

thx TAB!..... she moved under her own power for the 1st time since DEC....

getting closer to 1st rip.

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Doesn’t sounds bad at all. Any plans to go to a more muscle like tone?