E30-ls1

garretvs · 08-31-2007, 10:30 PM

As some of you may know I'm building an LS1 powered E30 with my dad. The original thread is over on bimmerforums

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=699289

but it was suggested I post a thread over here for all the E30 guys. Here is a condensed version of what is over on bimmerforums...

Info:

Engine: LS1
Tranny: T56 6speed

Weight: LS1 is aluminum block so the entire package is about 50 lbs more than the M20+tranny

Everything is being done in our garage by us...

Enjoy!

Getting the new motor and tranny.

Pulling the M20

Old vs. New with my dad looking like a kid in a candy store

empty...

Foam mock up of LS1 looks perfect in there

Hammering on the tranny tunnel to make room for the T-56

Test fit of radiator

Shift lever comes right up through the original hole!

Unpainted engine mounts

M60 rubber engine mounts as used in E34

Modified GTO front sump oil pan to clear cross member...

Differential companion flange from jagsthatrun.com to adapt camaro driveshaft for bmw diff

The beginning of our remote mounted hydroboost linkage. This was necessary because there was no room on the firewall for the hydroboost

Our custom steering shaft made from 2 E34 u-joints. Necessary because the driver's side is very tight with headers in, and there is no room for the collapsible intermediate shaft of the original

We got an LS2 water pump because the LS1 pump (pictured) sticks so far out from the block. The LS2 pump has a much lower profile pulley

Sanderson block hugger headers. We used 2 different models for the two sides due to fitment issues.

note: these are actually opposite of what is in there. We sent these back. Sanderson told us to mix and match them as we pleased...

Tranny mount

Modified driveshaft

Just in case you want one

i caught a fish that looks like a cat.... hmm. Oh, and i broke my wrist recently and welding is hard with a cast...

Working our way back

choppin

Exhaust to tranny mount. Ground clearance is a big issue

redone underbody

yes the diving boards are going to go. Trying to source an M-Tech II kit right now.

-Garret

JasonC · 08-31-2007, 10:35 PM

Boo, cats.....

Keep up the good work, like to see a video when done.

Janderson · 08-31-2007, 10:37 PM

Damn man, nice work! I love the foam engine mockup, what a great idea for test fitting parts. Where do you get something like that?

rThor432 · 08-31-2007, 10:40 PM

It's nice to see a swap so well thought out. You guys put in quite the effort to get it done right the first time.

I saw this thread somewhere before, but I dont think it was bimmerforums because I never go there.

Bill-B · 08-31-2007, 10:40 PM

I think I creamed myself

So Live · 08-31-2007, 10:40 PM

HOLY SHIT! i love you! my friend danny will be in touch for sure. Hows the wiring looking? is that going to be a bitch or what?

Works243t · 08-31-2007, 10:45 PM

Nice job. I contemplated doing this myself, but seeing all the work makes me realize that is a project that I am not quite ready to tackle.

Looks like you are doing an awesome job. Cant wait to see some video, and the finished product

JJe30 · 08-31-2007, 10:46 PM

Very nice.

BeirBrennerE30 · 08-31-2007, 11:01 PM

That is how you debate!!!

garretvs · 08-31-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Anderson

Damn man, nice work! I love the foam engine mockup, what a great idea for test fitting parts. Where do you get something like that?

we got ours off ebay, but I think you can get them out of Summit. A lot of vendors use them to show their bolt ons at shows if you look closely...

Firestorm · 08-31-2007, 11:37 PM

Weak...

bmw325csi · 09-01-2007, 12:04 AM

great work. but its no longer bmw where it counts

318isbmw · 09-01-2007, 12:07 AM

Badass, incredible swap and amazing work and awesome to see someone doing it at home rather than in a huge shop.
Summitracing, and jegs as well as doug herbert all have those foam mockups I believe, summit and jegs for sure

Rocla · 09-01-2007, 04:25 AM

Quality job.

Please give short instructions how did you manufacture the shaft between the u-joint on steering shafts.

Is it just a tube or shaft with welded pieces from original shaft of a machined piece?

MR 325 · 09-01-2007, 04:25 AM

As I said on bfc...

Amazing work guys, seriously top notch. I plan to build an LS1 E30 myself one day and this thread has been very interesting and helpful! I'm really looking forward to the outcome here and will stay tuned!

08-31-2007, 10:30 PM	#1
garretvs Wrencher Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WA Posts: 226	E30-ls1 As some of you may know I'm building an LS1 powered E30 with my dad. The original thread is over on bimmerforums http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=699289 but it was suggested I post a thread over here for all the E30 guys. Here is a condensed version of what is over on bimmerforums... Info: Engine: LS1 Tranny: T56 6speed Weight: LS1 is aluminum block so the entire package is about 50 lbs more than the M20+tranny Everything is being done in our garage by us... Enjoy! Getting the new motor and tranny. Pulling the M20 Old vs. New with my dad looking like a kid in a candy store empty... Foam mock up of LS1 looks perfect in there Hammering on the tranny tunnel to make room for the T-56 Test fit of radiator Shift lever comes right up through the original hole! Unpainted engine mounts M60 rubber engine mounts as used in E34 Modified GTO front sump oil pan to clear cross member... Differential companion flange from jagsthatrun.com to adapt camaro driveshaft for bmw diff The beginning of our remote mounted hydroboost linkage. This was necessary because there was no room on the firewall for the hydroboost Our custom steering shaft made from 2 E34 u-joints. Necessary because the driver's side is very tight with headers in, and there is no room for the collapsible intermediate shaft of the original We got an LS2 water pump because the LS1 pump (pictured) sticks so far out from the block. The LS2 pump has a much lower profile pulley Sanderson block hugger headers. We used 2 different models for the two sides due to fitment issues. note: these are actually opposite of what is in there. We sent these back. Sanderson told us to mix and match them as we pleased... Tranny mount Modified driveshaft Just in case you want one i caught a fish that looks like a cat.... hmm. Oh, and i broke my wrist recently and welding is hard with a cast... Working our way back choppin Exhaust to tranny mount. Ground clearance is a big issue redone underbody yes the diving boards are going to go. Trying to source an M-Tech II kit right now. -Garret __________________ E30-LS1 aka. 357is email us to pick up our LS1 swap guide E30-LS1 KITS now available!! E30LS1@gmail.com

08-31-2007, 10:35 PM	#2
JasonC Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Beans Cove, PA Posts: 8,049 Images: 798	Boo, cats..... Keep up the good work, like to see a video when done. __________________

08-31-2007, 10:40 PM	#6
So Live R3VLimited Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 06478 Posts: 2,286	HOLY SHIT! i love you! my friend danny will be in touch for sure. Hows the wiring looking? is that going to be a bitch or what? __________________ -Chris

08-31-2007, 10:45 PM	#7
Works243t Grease Monkey Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NC / Atl Posts: 372	Nice job. I contemplated doing this myself, but seeing all the work makes me realize that is a project that I am not quite ready to tackle. Looks like you are doing an awesome job. Cant wait to see some video, and the finished product __________________ FS/FT Looking for nice E28/34, E36.. I dont have time to work on cars anymore as all I do is work! -1987 E30 (BMP bumpers, Keskin KT1s (16x9 and 7.5), Corbeau TRS seats, GC coilovers, etc etc $5500 http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=178425 -1992 NV 325 $1500 (Fresh suspension, good comp. M50, etc) http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=178424

08-31-2007, 11:01 PM	#9
BeirBrennerE30 R3VLimited Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bridgewater MA Posts: 2,404 Images: 1	That is how you debate!!! __________________ '86 325es - s54b32 6-speed - ITS ALIVE!!! '09 M3 - s65b40 7-speedDCT - 12.3@114mph '08 135i - n54b30 6-speed - 13.4@104mph '89 325is - s62b50 6-speed - Classified

08-31-2007, 10:40 PM	#4
rThor432 No R3VLimiter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,394	It's nice to see a swap so well thought out. You guys put in quite the effort to get it done right the first time. I saw this thread somewhere before, but I dont think it was bimmerforums because I never go there.

08-31-2007, 10:46 PM	#8
JJe30 E30 Fanatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vancouver, Wa. Posts: 1,490	Very nice.

08-31-2007, 11:37 PM	#11
Firestorm Mod Crazy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Republic of Western Australia Posts: 780	Weak... __________________ Lsx/t56 Swap progress \|----------\| .0000000005% - Well below poverty line. Getting purists panties in a knot since 2007. E30 count = 6!

09-01-2007, 12:04 AM	#12
bmw325csi E30 Fanatic Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Hills, CA Posts: 1,374	great work. but its no longer bmw where it counts __________________ harry/charly

09-01-2007, 12:07 AM	#13
318isbmw R3VLimited Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, Washington Posts: 2,039 Images: 2	Badass, incredible swap and amazing work and awesome to see someone doing it at home rather than in a huge shop. Summitracing, and jegs as well as doug herbert all have those foam mockups I believe, summit and jegs for sure

09-01-2007, 04:25 AM	#14
Rocla E30 Modder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kajaani, Finland, Europe Posts: 878	Quality job. Please give short instructions how did you manufacture the shaft between the u-joint on steering shafts. Is it just a tube or shaft with welded pieces from original shaft of a machined piece? __________________ Current: BMW 316 -86 less engine, waiting for something BMW 318i 2.3 m10 -85 BMW 320i 2.0 m20 -88 BMW 520i 3.4 m30 -88 BMW 518i 1.8 m10 -87 BMW 735iA 3.4 m30 -87