TCD

iTrader: (4)

A little background. I have been playing with BMW turbos since 2003 is my hobby company. I was a muscle car guy in my youth. The first car I built was a 1969 Corvette.

My current 1985 BMW 535i makes 420rwhp/450rwtq which is great but I am bored and have been wanting to do this swap since I registered on this site in 2005.

Here is my plan:

Stock L33
LS9 HGs
ARP Head Studs
LS6 cam
Valve spring upgrade
Not sure which intake to use
Cable throttle and engine wiring harness
Single turbo
T56
CM FX100 Clutch Kit

Goal is to make abt 450rwhp. Car current weighs 3050 in street trim with an iron block 6 cylinder. I figure it's going to gain a little weight.

Which intake should I use? Which cable actuated wiring harnesses are compatible with the L33? If I need a different accessory package will any LS1 accessory package work? I need to use the GTO oil pan. Do I also need the baffle and dipstick.

Thanks for the help,

Todd

HydroStream6

iTrader: (16)

450rwhp will be CAKE. If that's all you're ever going to want, you won't need much for a turbo. A 67mm or even a 60mm will make that and spool instantly. If you will want more in the future, go for a 76mm.

The LS6 intake would be my choice for this build. They hold boost over 20lbs no probs and make good power. For 450rwhp, you could even use an LS1 or the truck manifold and be fine.

Not sure on the wiring stuff.

Most of the accessories are modular. You may have to drill and tap a hole here or there but for the most part the brackets and accessories will swap all over within the Gen3 family.

TCD

iTrader: (4)

I purchased a 2007 L33 this morning with 80k miles. I plan on doing the LS6 valve springs and retainers, headgaskets and ARP studs and nothing else. I am excited to get started.

Picture of the car.

narx66gmc

That will b a fun car and shd make better tq at a lower rpm too, right? I dig the gold wheels. Keep us posted and always post pix.

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Actually the stock engine in the 535i is a low rpm tq monster. I have made 400rwtq at 3000rpm at 18psi. It will also rev to 7000rpm in stock form so it's a great engine. Off boost it's only a 180hp engine so the big benefit of the L33 is going to be the amazing drivability that only a V8 can give.

After doing more reading I think it's going to be tough to make only 450rwhp.

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Setup is finalized. Engine and tranny mounts are finsihed.

Setup is finalized:

L33 with LS6 cam and LS9 valve springs. All new gaskets. BBK intake. MS3 for ecu. T56 with 12" disc.

Single turbo. We will be building the manifolds (nothing stock fits).
T04s, 67mm Billet wheel, P Trim, 1.15 Exh housing. Tial 44m MVF, Tial 50mm BOV, 50lb injectors, AEM FPR, Air/Air intercooler and single 3" exhaust.

HP goal now 500-550rwhp.

Fb0dy0nly

iTrader: (10)

...for now...

Give it a few months of rippin gears and you'll be wishing that turbo was a 76mm.

Should be a blast to drive around town!

TCD

iTrader: (4)

I have had a turbo BMW since 2003 and have gone from 250rwhp to 420rwhp this past year. 500rwhp will be a big jump. Car weighed 3050 before swap and I only expect it to gain 50-75lbs.

Car is also tire limited to a 255 tire so it's already going to be useless on the street.

Comp turbo claims the billet 67mm flows 15% more than a cast 67mm wheel so it should flow in the cast 72/76mm range. And it'll be very easy to upgrade the compressor wheel if necessary.

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Warming manifolds prior to welding.


Look of each finished manifold. Both flanges were trimmed to fit between the frame rails. It's tight!





Close up of driver's side.





Next week the engine the engine will be assembled. Will will also be cutting the front end upo a little bit. The radiator core support and some other minor sheetmetal is going away. We will be dropping the radiator a little and moving it in a little to make room for the intercooler.

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Another good day. We started the the day by removing the radiator core support and part of the valance to make room for lowering the radiator and creating space for the intercooler and piping.



I ordered the a Bell intercooler core this morning. 18x12x3. Tanks will be top and bottom.

Turbo is in it's final position. Driver's side piping to turbo is done. Piping from passenger side next week.

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Progress report:

a4ls2goat

Wow. very nice skills.! Looks great

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Some good progress yesterday! Left house at 0525 and returned at 2045. Long day but a lot accomplished.

a4ls2goat

Looking good!

ls1curt

iTrader: (31)

Sweet lookin build!

1999Black_Z28

iTrader: (1)

Awesome build. I can't wait to see the final product

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys. It's good to see the engine in the car!

TCD

iTrader: (4)

Making progress. Tranny/driveshaft are in. Shifter is in. Radiator and intercooler are mostly done. Exhaust nearly finished.

RyanJ

That interior shot is ******* sexy.

Why the BBK intake? i know you can't fit a truck manifold, but i dont think a lot of people ever got much from that...plus i cant think it 'helps' with heat soak ya know? surely a plugged LS1 or stock LS6 works.

[I dont know crap about the aluminum 5.3s...but surely other intakes work]

TCD

iTrader: (4)

I was able to purchase a new BBK intake for a little more than the price of a used LS6 manifold. It seems like it is marginally better than a LS6 intake and allows for easy drilling/tapping for AN fittings. I like to run stainless braided lines for the WG and BOV. I also like the way it looks.