Youngblood16

Hey all i've been trying to figure out what vehicle i want to put my ls3/t56 in and i think i've narrowed it down. Looking for peoples opinions on what they think would be better/ more practical.

The car would be an 01-05 BMW s series 2 or 4 door, and the truck would be a 2000-03 Chevy S10 or GMC Sonoma 2 door short/long bed.

The obvious pain would be the wiring of the bmw, but the s10 wouldn't be that bad.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks All!

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

It all depends on what you want to do with the car when you are done.

Andrew

Youngblood16

I want a daily driver ultimately that would be fun to drive everyday but not so high-perf that it isn't bearable in the rain and such(as daily drivers do).
BMW pros:
It has 4 seats, nicer interior, fun to drive

Cons:
wiring. and "german engineering"

S10 pros:
truck, fun to drive(w/v8), pickup bed, easier wiring

Cons: barely any traction, 2 seats, kinda cramped

Any more thoughts? Anyone chime in there's no wrong answers!

1970camaroRS

iTrader: (8)

E46. You will actually want to drive it every day.

operatorfailure

iTrader: (3)

For drag racing, S10.

Anything else, BMW.

For daily driving the BMW will be a ton more useful, unless you are helping someone move. And who wants to do that?

TipsyMcStagger

iTrader: (1)

There's lots of good E46 wiring info in this thread.

Tipsy

chuckd71

iTrader: (23)

Convertible BMW. I can't imagine ever wanting to drive an S10 no matter what kind of motor is in it. Would be a shame to dump quality parts into that sort of disposable vehicle (unless you're just racing or whatever). I'm not super german car fan, but that range of 3 series are really nice looking cars. That range of s10, not so much.

OEMTim

I wouldn't even have to think about it. BMW all day.
Then again, I'll soon have 3 LS-swapped German cars.
951, E36, XR4Ti.

1970camaroRS

iTrader: (8)

Going back to this comment. You answer it here. BMW. The S10 is great for a cheap drag platform and that's about it. The BMW won't be as quick, but you'll actually want to drive it everyday, even in the rain.

hookemdevils22

iTrader: (12)

BMW. You're removing everything that makes owning an E46 a headache (VANOS, DISA valve, oil filter housing leaks, P0171/0174 codes due to vacuum leaks...). Everything else on 'em is great, save the shade for the sunroof.

Youngblood16

Now I just feel stupid for not seeing it myself, you guys definitely helped... I just love wiring... my favorite, it should be a fun car when its done though. Watch for a thread guys

and operatorfailure... i like the answer. good point haha!

sierravmax

iTrader: (1)

Now I would probably pick the BMW also, but I wouldn't say that the S10 is a disposable vehicle.

Youngblood16

The only problem with the S10 is that the *** end is so light and if i wanted to drag it i would either need really soft springs plus caltracs(which i was planning on anyway) and it would still spin. Probably would get a 4 link of some sort.... Where as the BMW I can just bolt in an M3 subframe with an LSD and not even have to worry about it. IM so not ready for the amount of wiring though, however it should be cool and ill be glad when its done... And I haven't even started... Gotta pay to play though

Stormed_Norm

iTrader: (10)

How about the s series jimmy suv? You can put 4 people in them. I have one with a ls engine in it, and it's a ton of fun.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

I'm not sure where you got the that the S10 would have barely any traction? Here is an S10 that runs leaf springs and caltracs Yes, He's on slicks but he's also running high 9's.
I bet it would still hook pretty damn good with some soft street tires.

Youngblood16

I was thinking about doing a 2nd gen blazer but i didn't want to go through the aggravation of having a stick... Yeah that S10 hooks and books but Black-X has done a lot of work to his truck. Also, the traction issue isn't purely based on the rear, its how the front end reacts plus how the rear suspension directs the power, and i wouldn't want to do a rear end, new shocks on all four, and new springs on all 4 (or coilovers, $$$)

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

I think you're going to have to mod the suspension on any car/truck you put a high hp engine in.
I guess it going to come down to what works best for you, I do think the S10 will be cheaper in the long run even with some suspension mods like drag shocks and Cal-tracs.

GSAWYERS

I did 6 years as a BMW tech, E46 is still one of my favorite cars. Watch out for cracked floorpans near rear subframe mounts. Sunroof is not bad to fix if you have some skill and patience. I've been looking at doing a LS E46, the call of a C6 Z06 is strong.

Youngblood16

as of now they are actually about the same, due to the fact that the engine and trans are getting the same work done regardess of vehicle purchase, and i can get an m3 subframe+rear for 1k and it will hold 500 rwhp, and the s10 will need a new rear as well (at least 2k) But the swap parts for the BMW are more expensive... by a lot. and the wiring is going to be a royal pain

Youngblood16

you could beat a Z06 in an LS swapped E46... for less. literally if you bought a $6500 BMW (could definetely find one for less), LS7 from TSP for around $10,000, t56 magnum and mcleod rst from tick for $5,750, heck even if you bought ALL of the swap parts from that one company i can't name... it would be around $3500... plus an M3 subframe.. that's around 27k. add in another 3k for exhaust, driveshaft, tuning... another 1500 for swap harness... 800 big radiator...
That's about 32500. add in another 5 for fudge room. boom 37500. And it would be faster than a Z06. and less on insurance... and more fun when you completely annihilate them... mega sleeper status? Ands thats with a an LS7. you could go with a forged FI LQ4/9 for almost the same money and be even faster!

And yeah the floorpan issue is the first thing im looking at/for when i go to buy the car