FS: 1997 M3 ls1 swap
05-04-2015, 06:55 AM
#1
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FS: 1997 M3 ls1 swap Year: 2017
Make: BMW
Model: M3
Price: $15000
Mileage: 160000
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (State): MD
Color: Red
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive
LS Engine?: Car has LS engine
1997 BMW M3 ls1 conversion, 4 door, manual transmission
Car is located in Washington, DC.
I have only owned the car for 6 months. I intended to steadily restore it but a new job with more travel means I won’t have the time and this car will be parked in my garage, so I’ve decided to part with it. It is tremendous fun to drive. A bit firm riding for the east coast city driving, but set up by the guy who did the conversion for auto-x. I need to get what I paid for it, so price is $15k firm. I’ve put several thousand into the car since purchasing it, including new tires, rotors, and pads, replacing the headliner, repairing the torn driver’s seat, replacing the thermostat and flushing the coolant system, new battery, and a few other miscellaneous things.
From the person who did the original conversion:
The big points:
97 4 door sedan - originally an e36 m3 auto - car currently has ~160k on the clock - swap was done at ~142k
clean title
swap is from an 02 transmarobird had ~72k on it when it was swapped
subframe and headers are samberg pieces
Swap is entirely OBD2 emissions compliant - this is the ONLY e36 I know of that is obd2 compliant - you'll be able to register this car in any non CARB state without issue.
Every part of the car works - from AC to all dash lights and other systems, the swap is 100% complete
Performance:
02 ls1 swap - originally an ls6 block
243 cylinder heads mildly worked over
EPS 226/230 .598/.609 112lsa+2 cam
TEA dual .660 max lift valve springs w/titanium retainers & hardened pushrods
ls6 PCV system
ls6 intake
36lb injectors (42lb @ ls1 rail pressure)
underdrive pulley
hptuners (will be included at asking price with 4 unused credits + all previous tuning files for car)
2.5 exhaust off headers through spun cats to center spintec muffler to 3" custom exhaust with magnaflow in the back - it sounds great and is never raspy or loud in the cabin.
ls7 clutch
all aluminum e36 radiator
double line locks (to retain ABS but allow normal line lock function)
ls3 oil pump
ls3 timing chain
ls7 lifters
MSD plug wires
lightly ported MAF & throttle body
The car has not been dynoed the car since the performance additions - it should put down a bit north of 400 to the wheels. The current tune is very modest - I can't use all the power on the street tires so I have not spent the time to optimize the timing curve to get every ounce of power out of the motor but it runs well in all daily driving circumstances except for hunting for idle when decelerating to a stop. stock post swap the car put down 315whp with the exhaust.
Chassis:
3.91 LSD rear end
new koni yellows - on-car adjustables front & rear
Ground Control complete springs - 425f/425r spring rates
Ground Control rear upper shock mounts
swapped 96+ stock m3 upper hats (-3.25 camber)
UUC swaybarbarian front sway bar
new factory m3 front lower control arms and bushings
new front sway bar endlinks
e46 rtabs with delrin limiters
all bushings in rear end were replaced with new after swap
rear subframe bushings are Powerflex with larger rear washers (to combat documented cupping problem)
diff mounts are AKG 75D delrin - with heavy duty front diff bolt
rear subframe has been reinforced in the normal areas - including sway bar mounting points
ebay strut tower bar (it helpd a little at autox)
bimerworld front undertray
clutch master cylinder is a wilwood 13/16" with custom mount (to balance the ls7 clutch pedal feel)
17x8.5 kosei k1s wrapped in Michelin pilot super sports (new)
proper offset spacers on front for square setup clearance
ECS Tuning CSL big brake upgrade for front brakes, new rotors front and back with Hawk HPS pads
Pentosin Super Dot4 brake fluid
bronze brake slider pin bushings
Interior:
non-sunroof car - very rare
black vader fronts
euro e36 m3 3 spoke steering wheel with new factory clock spring
18 button OBC - no dead pixels
kenwood kdc-x994 reciever w/bluetooth, USB & mic wired
pair of Schroth 4 point e36 clip-in harnesses
hurst shifter ball in stock e36 location
autodim rearview mirror from 7 series
Swap specific parts:
relocated ABS pump
AN power steering pressure hose
3" aluminum driveshaft with rear adapter to BMW rear end
custom AC lines to mate bmw components to LS compressor
solid steering shaft with sound deadener wrapping
relocated heater valve
complete wiring integration with computer in stock bmw location
volvo pusher fan in stock aux location
corvette fpr/fuel filter & AN6 fuel feed with fire shield
GM fuel tank pressure sender (req for emissions)
Other:
I’ve replaced various parts as needed that aren't shown here as normal wear and tear, the alternator, vss sender, water pump, and ignition switch immediately come to mind.
MTL in the diff, synthetic dex in the t56, & castrol synth in the motor
The bad:
there are two sections of clear peel on the roof by the drivers back seat and along the passenger roof line - the mirrors have also clear peeled
the trim piece above the rear license plate has faded a bit - the car came from arizona which explains the fade & the peel
the steering rack is nearing replacement, it marks its territory but doesn't lose enough fluid to be worrisome - I had intended to put in a shorter z4m rack
coin holder in the middle interior stack is missing
Build thread link: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1503369
videos of the car:
05-07-2015, 07:48 PM
#4
Staging Lane
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Bump for my old car!
I'm happy to answer any questions about how it was built. It's a shame, I don't think it has had that many miles put on it since I sold it 3+ years ago.
where's the pic of the money shot hood open?
I'm happy to answer any questions about how it was built. It's a shame, I don't think it has had that many miles put on it since I sold it 3+ years ago.
where's the pic of the money shot hood open?
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06-02-2015, 09:05 AM
#8
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Tempting! Looks like a nice truck. But I am trying to thin the herd!