V8 powered BMW E36 update!

[Tuner1]

Hey Beyonders,

I haven't posted about my car for a while so I thought it was update time! Since the car is now a BMW and a Chevy I didn't know which section to post this in ;)

The swap was a huge project that took hundreds of hours and lots of creative thinking by the two local guys behind the concept but the end result is nothing short of amazing (don't even bother to ask about the cost!)! The level of fit, finish, refinement and attention to details is better than many 'factory' cars and the performance is amazing!

With an LS1 engine as a starting point you can choose anywhere from 320hp to 1000+hp depending on your goal and budget. I chose a very mild combo that makes ~535hp/500tq and leaves most cars for dead! My buddy is his new F430 has to watch the rear of my stock-looking E36 shrinking in his windshield at a rapid rate :D

See you at the Race City road course :thumbsup:

Rob

[ninefourfour]

Very nice!!! What more can be said

Good job!!

[frostyda9]

Where's the engine shot? Looks like any other 3 series with rims, from the side ;)

Sleeper style for sure.

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by frostyda9
Where's the engine shot? Looks like any other 3 series with rims, from the side ;)

Sleeper style for sure.

OOoop, here you go :)

Rob

[Grip172]

holy mother of god

[frostyda9]

:bigpimp: Congrats on what must have been a lot of work :thumbsup:

[WWJAI]

that is amazing:eek:

[GTS Jeff]

Wow, that is truly impressive. :thumbsup:

[The Cosworth]

Dude, that has to be one of the nicest cars on the road

I love that you didnt make is so flashy, keep it simple and just eat the shit out of people

Much Respect man!

:burnout: :burnout: :burnout:

[Boost Infested]

i saw you this morning.... she sounds sooo mean! :thumbsup:

[rc2002]

I heard this purring the other day. Weirdest sounding BMW I've ever heard.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Tuner1
I chose a very mild combo that makes ~535hp/500tq and leaves most cars for dead!

:rofl: He calls it "mild!" Awesome job, it looks fantastic and I can't wait to see it in person!

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

:hitit:

[EK 2.0]

pfffffft Rob I call chop...hahaha...;)


Looking fantastic mang...and congrats on it being finished...:thumbsup:

[RotaryDrifter]

Verrrrry Nice!. :drool:

i'm really curious about the $$ involved in such a project! :D

[BigWill]

congrats, a project like that takes time a dedication, :hitit:

[CrvenaZvezda]

WoW thats a beauty, much respect to you man that must have taken lots of time and money... :drool:

[/////AMG]

:eek: Work of art. Looks really good too.

[redline_13000]

Beautiful:thumbsup:

[Hakkola]

Amazing. Curious though, did the LS1 change the balance of the car at all?

:thumbsup:

[Kaos]

Originally posted by Hakkola
Amazing. Curious though, did the LS1 change the balance of the car at all?

:thumbsup:

Actually, the balance is even better than the motor it came with. :D

[88CRX]

SICK!

[95EagleAWD]

Very cool. Sounds like it would be pretty badass.

:thumbsup:

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by RotaryDrifter
Verrrrry Nice!. :drool:

i'm really curious about the $$ involved in such a project! :D

Far, far too much, just like all obsessive projects ;)

I think the bare minimum, if you were satisfied with ~350hp and a semi-tidy install, would be around $15k plus labour. Plan to spend way more if you want 500hp+, total reliability and an OEM level of fit and finish.

Rob

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by Kaos


Actually, the balance is even better than the motor it came with. :D

Correct :burnout:

The all-aluminum LS1 is about 60lbs lighter than the iron-block Euro 3.2L M3 engine that I removed but the T56 trans is about 50lbs heavier than the BMW 5spd. The LS1 sits lower in the chassis which helps lower the COG.

Rob

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by Tuner1
than the iron-block Euro 3.2L M3 engine that I removed

Rob


hmmm....so there is a 3.2L Euro Spec M Motor just kicking around now is there??...haha;)

[403Gemini]

hol-eee-shit

thats amazing man

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by 403Gemini
hol-eee-shit

thats amazing man

Thanks :)

FYI, mine is actually the third LS1 powered E36 in town. Each of the two clever guys who pioneered the sawp have these BMW/Chev cars too....so watch your mirrors on the track :D

Rob

[ZMan2k2]

I've only got one thing to say......


:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

:burnout:
:burnout:

[AllGoNoShow]

Damn rob!

Hey that uhhh *cough* 5 speed u got kicking around :), any chance it bolts to an M30, or sell a moutning plate making that possible?

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by AllGoNoShow
Hey that uhhh *cough* 5 speed u got kicking around :), any chance it bolts to an M30, or sell a moutning plate making that possible?

Sorry, I sold the Euro 3.2L and the 5spd a long time ago.

Rob

[FiveFreshFish]

Originally posted by Tuner1
FYI, mine is actually the third LS1 powered E36 in town. Each of the two clever guys who pioneered the sawp have these BMW/Chev cars too....so watch your mirrors on the track :D

Rob

Who do I call to be the fourth? :drool:

[AllGoNoShow]

The guy who posted above you :)


Wish I could have found that E36 shell then and LS1 for you to play with but no such luck. Might just have to buy a kit from you once your done.

[Gravy_83]

crazy just plain simply crazy

[cocoabrova]

Originally posted by Kaos


Actually, the balance is even better than the motor it came with. :D

Holy schnikes that's badass:eek: Definitely something to keep in mind for a swap:D

[Toms-SC]

wow

[Ben]

Thats awesome Rob!!! I'll be stoping in at the shop this week to discuss said photographs.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thumbs up for a wicked :zzz: .

Cheers

[Dj_Stylz]

That thing must go now:burnout: :eek:

[Loose]

video or die

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by cocoabrova
Holy schnikes that's badass:eek: Definitely something to keep in mind for a swap:D


\ / (the symbol for shorehorn) hahaha...

[cocoabrova]

Originally posted by EK 2.0



\ / (the symbol for shorehorn) hahaha...

Yeah I'd definitely be NOT IT to attempt that swap....:nut:

[Kaos]

Originally posted by BMW346i
Haha, weak sauce silver

Badass Black is much more suiting

:D
:drama: :drama:


Originally posted by cocoabrova


Holy schnikes that's badass:eek: Definitely something to keep in mind for a swap:D

Maybe when you get this done, I'll buy my car back from you :devil:

[max_boost]

Originally posted by RotaryDrifter
Verrrrry Nice!. :drool:

i'm really curious about the $$ involved in such a project! :D :werd: I'm curious too hehe :D

[RotaryDrifter]

Originally posted by max_boost
:werd: I'm curious too hehe :D


Originally posted by Tuner1


Far, far too much, just like all obsessive projects ;)

I think the bare minimum, if you were satisfied with ~350hp and a semi-tidy install, would be around $15k plus labour. Plan to spend way more if you want 500hp+, total reliability and an OEM level of fit and finish.

Rob


:), i'd say under $25,000? :dunno:

[shakalaka]

Originally posted by RotaryDrifter





:), i'd say under $25,000? :dunno:


Ok hmmmm that's actually deffinately something I would want to think about!

[RotaryDrifter]

Originally posted by shakalaka



Ok hmmmm that's actually deffinately something I would want to think about!


That is for a Very Mild combo. :nut: :rofl:

[cocoabrova]

Originally posted by Kaos

:drama: :drama:



Maybe when you get this done, I'll buy my car back from you :devil:

I don't think I'll ever sell it, I'm taking it to my grave:poosie:

[finboy]

Originally posted by cocoabrova


Yeah I'd definitely be NOT IT to attempt that swap....:nut:

come on al, step by step instructions and $5800 for the instal kit ;)
http://www.nash8503.com/Conversion_Instructions.html

doooooooo it, doooooooo it

[dj_honda]

Originally posted by finboy


come on al, step by step instructions and $5800 for the instal kit ;)
http://www.nash8503.com/Conversion_Instructions.html

doooooooo it, doooooooo it

you just took away that guys $15 000+ secret. ;)

[hjr]

that for a conversion kit. not including 'stock' motor

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by dj_honda


you just took away that guys $15 000+ secret. ;)

LOL, I spent more than that on the parts...before the E36/LS1 swap "kit" or any of the labor. If this could be done correctly for $15k or less I dare say there would be quite a few guys doing this awesome swap! You might be able to do it for around $15k if you got the labor for free and you were happy with a stock-ish (~350hp) LS1 without any trick parts.

Rob

[dj_honda]

Originally posted by Tuner1


LOL, I spent more than that on the parts...before the E36/LS1 swap "kit" or any of the labor. If this could be done correctly for $15k or less I dare say there would be quite a few guys doing this awesome swap! You might be able to do it for around $15k if you got the labor for free and you were happy with a stock-ish (~350hp) LS1 without any trick parts.

Rob

I was just kidding around lol. Me and finboy have looked into the LS1 swaps and might attempt one in an FC or FD rx7 next year, so I know its an expensive venture.