Introduction and LS1 question..new member
04-18-2011, 08:34 PM
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Introduction and LS1 question..new member Hey guys.
Well im a new member up here and wanted to give you some background before i ask questions haha
I currently have 97 540i 6speed black on black. My baby already traveled 270K miles and in last week i added 2.5K more...LA to Colorado drive.
The car has been pretty reliable and with that much miles, things do start to go down. Already replaced a lot of sensors and on the way down from vegas yesterday, the car started stalling at the 100F temp and bumper to bumper traffic. I rulled the problem to overheating ECU or the Crank sensor.. both problems will be taken care of today.
For a long time I have been considering LS swap into my car. My friend has a 2001 camaro SS 6speed and i have worked on his car a lot lately and honestly I like the engine. Yeah its a b**tch to replace spark plugs or install long tube headers, but overall the engine seems to run pretty well at 70K miles.
Now to the question:
Im do a lot of driving, many times for 500+ miles non stop in any weather either snow rain or desert heat. I also do track my car from time to time so that should be considered.
1) Is the LS1 motor a pretty reliable engine? I do take care of my cars a lot and all the maintenance is always up to date so that would play a role in this.
2) I noticed that my friend's camaro shakes and has vibrations at stops. I know american cars like to shake and vibrate but is cased mainly by an unbalanced motor or is it more of the design "glitch" of the engine. Because if its just unbalanced rotating assembly, ill just tear the engine apart and get the whole thing balanced before swap.
.....................
The main reason Im really doing this swap is because I noticed that the LS1 are a bit more of bulet proof when it comes to breaking down. I dont know how reliable they are but once some sensor goes down, the car will tell you about it but still will go. For example, my friend's Cam sensor died and the car still ran but rpm guage didnt work (probably was running of the crank sensor). On other hand, my cam sensor died about 6 month ago in vegas and my car just died and wouldnt run of just a crank sensor.
......
My build idea so far:
2001 LS1 from a vette or camaro with PCM, wiring and such combined with 6L80 or 6L90 auto trans. I might be going with the T56 for its 0.5 6th ratio but at this point i just want to go with AUto because this way i can move the engine and trans around the car a bit more and make a bit more room for over sized radiator and oil cooler.
Well im a new member up here and wanted to give you some background before i ask questions haha
I currently have 97 540i 6speed black on black. My baby already traveled 270K miles and in last week i added 2.5K more...LA to Colorado drive.
The car has been pretty reliable and with that much miles, things do start to go down. Already replaced a lot of sensors and on the way down from vegas yesterday, the car started stalling at the 100F temp and bumper to bumper traffic. I rulled the problem to overheating ECU or the Crank sensor.. both problems will be taken care of today.
For a long time I have been considering LS swap into my car. My friend has a 2001 camaro SS 6speed and i have worked on his car a lot lately and honestly I like the engine. Yeah its a b**tch to replace spark plugs or install long tube headers, but overall the engine seems to run pretty well at 70K miles.
Now to the question:
Im do a lot of driving, many times for 500+ miles non stop in any weather either snow rain or desert heat. I also do track my car from time to time so that should be considered.
1) Is the LS1 motor a pretty reliable engine? I do take care of my cars a lot and all the maintenance is always up to date so that would play a role in this.
2) I noticed that my friend's camaro shakes and has vibrations at stops. I know american cars like to shake and vibrate but is cased mainly by an unbalanced motor or is it more of the design "glitch" of the engine. Because if its just unbalanced rotating assembly, ill just tear the engine apart and get the whole thing balanced before swap.
.....................
The main reason Im really doing this swap is because I noticed that the LS1 are a bit more of bulet proof when it comes to breaking down. I dont know how reliable they are but once some sensor goes down, the car will tell you about it but still will go. For example, my friend's Cam sensor died and the car still ran but rpm guage didnt work (probably was running of the crank sensor). On other hand, my cam sensor died about 6 month ago in vegas and my car just died and wouldnt run of just a crank sensor.
......
My build idea so far:
2001 LS1 from a vette or camaro with PCM, wiring and such combined with 6L80 or 6L90 auto trans. I might be going with the T56 for its 0.5 6th ratio but at this point i just want to go with AUto because this way i can move the engine and trans around the car a bit more and make a bit more room for over sized radiator and oil cooler.
04-18-2011, 08:53 PM
#2
I personally would look into a 6.0 lq9.. cheaper and same thing basically. Little added cubes, little added weight. Or if you want it super budget friendly, grab a 5.3.
The lsx is extremely reliable. there is a reason It is one of the most swapped engines. Reliable, easy on wallet, make good power, etc....
If your buddies car is shaking at a stop, it probably has a miss. Check plugs and wires.
By track do you mean autox? If so I'd stay manual.
The lsx is extremely reliable. there is a reason It is one of the most swapped engines. Reliable, easy on wallet, make good power, etc....
If your buddies car is shaking at a stop, it probably has a miss. Check plugs and wires.
By track do you mean autox? If so I'd stay manual.
04-18-2011, 08:59 PM
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Thanks for response and yes i do autocros and things like WillowSprings..but really not often and just for fun so that shouldnt play a role in my final decision. Mostly its a freeway, every day driver road trip car.
His car has new plugs, wires and such. But it started shaking after the headers/exhaust.
and what is that 5.3 engine? is that the Vortec motor?
His car has new plugs, wires and such. But it started shaking after the headers/exhaust.
and what is that 5.3 engine? is that the Vortec motor?
04-18-2011, 09:04 PM
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I have over 195,000 miles on mine. It's a 00 Z28 it has been dragged raced many times been on a road course and some autoX. The auto gave up after the autox. I say go with the manual as well. Its cheaper to replace a burnt clutch than a auto trans. Other than that (knock on wood) no problems at all. I even have the original alternator. Mine does not shake at all I keep up with the maintence and tune ups including an induction service. Only mods I have is a lid and catback.
04-18-2011, 09:13 PM
#5
Thanks for response and yes i do autocros and things like WillowSprings..but really not often and just for fun so that shouldnt play a role in my final decision. Mostly its a freeway, every day driver road trip car.
His car has new plugs, wires and such. But it started shaking after the headers/exhaust.
and what is that 5.3 engine? is that the Vortec motor?
His car has new plugs, wires and such. But it started shaking after the headers/exhaust.
and what is that 5.3 engine? is that the Vortec motor?
He definitely has an issue.. Shaking Isnt normal. The hole car? Constant or on and off?
The 5.3 is still part of the lsx family, basically a 5.3 ls1. The heads, cam, Intake, etc are all Interchangeable, same with the 6.0 lq9 and lq4. You can pick up a drop out low mileage 5.3 for around 400$, 6.0s run around 1200$ low mileage, all with warranties.
04-18-2011, 09:22 PM
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Then auto!
He definitely has an issue.. Shaking Isnt normal. The hole car? Constant or on and off?
The 5.3 is still part of the lsx family, basically a 5.3 ls1. The heads, cam, Intake, etc are all Interchangeable, same with the 6.0 lq9 and lq4. You can pick up a drop out low mileage 5.3 for around 400$, 6.0s run around 1200$ low mileage, all with warranties.
He definitely has an issue.. Shaking Isnt normal. The hole car? Constant or on and off?
The 5.3 is still part of the lsx family, basically a 5.3 ls1. The heads, cam, Intake, etc are all Interchangeable, same with the 6.0 lq9 and lq4. You can pick up a drop out low mileage 5.3 for around 400$, 6.0s run around 1200$ low mileage, all with warranties.
Where can i pickup a 5.3 for under $500?? IM looking for one all over craigslist but cant find any in cali/nevada area
what car did that 5.3 come in?
04-18-2011, 09:36 PM
#7
Well his car actually shakes as if it has a cam installed. The engine doesnt really shake that much compared to the car but once inside you can feel the car vibrate lol.
Where can i pickup a 5.3 for under $500?? IM looking for one all over craigslist but cant find any in cali/nevada area
what car did that 5.3 come in?
Where can i pickup a 5.3 for under $500?? IM looking for one all over craigslist but cant find any in cali/nevada area
what car did that 5.3 come in?
I would find someone that can buy from lkq, would be your best bet. They come in gm trucks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Silverado
There is some good Info in there, also just search ls1..
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04-21-2011, 12:02 PM
#18
The part about the 6L80 or 90 has the potential to be problematic. The 6L series transmissions have their own transmission controller, unlike the 4L60e's that came in the Fbodies and Camaros for the longest time and where controlled with the PCM. It would probably be easiest if you mated it with a Gen IV LS motor (LS2, LS3, etc). Either way, I imagine the wire harness stuff is going to be a pain to work in the BMW to keep all the instruments working properly.
