bbliss126

So I jumped in and started the swap I've been planning for a couple months now and within a weeks time (the few hours after work and some of the weekend) I've managed to get a lot done. I have removed the original BMW engine and trans and all the ac and abs nonsense along with the exhaust, cooling and heating systems and most of the stock harness. I purchased a 02 silverado 5.3liter with 82k from lkq and have since dissembled it and inspecting it while I replace all the gaskets and do an overall clean up on it. While dissembling it I found that both heads are in amazing condition (must have been replaced at some point) and bottom end is also in very good condition. So I'm pleased with my purchase. I plan on using the 4L60e trans from and 02 trailblazer since the local wrecking yard has one on hand and it's reasonably priced. As for harness and ecu I'm still debating on which direct to go. I'm leaning towards stand alone harness with the truck ecu. I will be posting a lot of pictures since my friend plans on doing the same swap after we're done with mine. Any info or advice would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

99MUSTANG5.3L

Cool swap and welcome to LS1 tech.

427zm

iTrader: (9)

Looking forward to updates!

Schitzo

iTrader: (6)

Welcome. Should be a fun project. Be sure to check out the engine conversion section over on Bimmerforums. There is one other E34 LS swap documented there. Good luck.

bbliss126

Sorry for the delay in updates guys, but I have been super busy at work and haven't had much time after to work on it. But within the last few weeks i have been able to tear down the block and replace all the gaskets and overall clean it all up. I managed to snap a ls1 intake mani with the egr blocked off on eBay for $100. Which I was excited about since I'm on a budget. I've also managed to get almost everything out of the engine bay and start sanding the bay and drilling holes in the cowl to tuck away the old harness so it's hidden away. I'll post up more pics soon! Hope to get a lot done this weekend.

Here's a pic of how it sits now, ls1 intake manifold and the 5.3 truck throttle body. Putting the corvette water pump on this weekend

bp m1009

iTrader: (2)

if your using a vette water pump im pretty sure you will need a vette balancer

bbliss126

dirty ugly, useless bracket filled engine bay



started cutting off all the old brackets that will not be used or hidden


Had to rebuild pass side fender, huge holes and dents from old battery tray


After everything was ground off and shaved started the putty work

bbliss126

Removed the ac system so cut out of metal squares and welded them in and bondo'd over them to sand down

Pass side fendor and shock tower after shave


The finall product before over all clean up


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u42/bbliss126/bmw24.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

The drivers side exhuast mani will be a real tight fit between the booster and Huge steering box in this thing but should be able to mock one up with out to many problems

bbliss126

finally finished tucking the harness through the body and cowl, everything in engine bay was sanded and stripped down and cleaned with denatured alcohol. laid down primer now to finish all the mounts and test fit everything one last time before final paint. here's a few pics

Empatho

iTrader: (16)

nice, please keep us updated.

LQ4-E39

iTrader: (7)

moving along nicely.

bbliss126

Well I finally got my GTO oil pan and pick up, Installed it the other day and mocked it up to the subframe and ill have to do a little more fabrication on the sway bar mounts and subframe to make it work but it should be fine. I feel more confindent using OEM parts even if it means more fab. I'll be searching the forums this weekend to figure out how to convert the harness to stand alone so hopefully that will be done by the weekend. heres some pics of the GTO front sump stuff

vazfx16

Subscribing
Welcome to the club
I notched my subframe to make gto pan work without cutting the pan: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...s-wagon-2.html

bbliss126

vazfx16- thanks for the link. That's Pretty Much what i was planning on doing with the subframe. what did you do to the rear sway bar? looks like you boxed that in also, any specific reason why?

vazfx16

Thanks. bliss126,
I didn't touch the sway bar. The sub frame has two pieces. The boxy part that goes under the engine, and a tubular part that goes under the bellhousing (the sway bar is behind that).

Yes I did notch the tubular subframe, because the bellhousing was almost touching in it -- with the engine pushed all the way back into the engine compartment. I need a bit of back and forward engine adjustment to fit my driveshaft, and I had none. This gives me a half and inch or so, which will allow the engine to rock a bit too. So, no that's not the sway bar

SWAGON

Glad to see E34 swaps popping up. Great job so far. Can't wait to see the final product.

bbliss126

Thanks for the info vazfx16 , if i get any time this weekend i'll be starting the boxing of the subframe. im also using the 4l60e, so im curoius to what drive shaft you used

bbliss126

Thank you Swagon- Im excited for it to be done lol

vazfx16

Driveshaft is my stock shaft, cut down with a slip yoke replacing the stock flange

Today found my center bearing is torn, now need to replace it

SWAGON

I did the same thing using an M5 driveshaft. I wanted to stick with a 2 piece.