Ive been with BMW for the past four years and have learned how to tear them apart and put them together in my sleep. Recently, my main project, project 325ti seen here and here, was rear ended which set me up for buying another, more rare bmw called the 318ti Clubsport. Three days later, after driving to New Hampshire to pick up the car, i had already swapped in my 2.5L Inline six from a 1992 325i with a chip, full exhaust, 2002 Mcoupe Sachs supension, BBS RZ rims, cross drilled rotors, and 17 hours worth of detail time. I had planned to purchase one of GMs superchargers and build a supercharger kit for my I6 because aftermarket engine performance parts for bmws is expensive and doesnt seem to net as much power as id like. Not even after the expiration of my temp tags, some kid side swipes me into a curb and totals out my new car. From that, ive decided, im tired of wasting time and money on bmw engines and parts but i really like the way they look, feel, and handle, so i put 1 and 1 together and decided to build my own bmw.

For the drivetrain, im going to start with a basic LS1 and T56. I want to learn as much as possible about these engines and transmissions, so im looking for an LS1 in not so great of shape to be rebuilt from the bottom up. Im still in the research phase of the project, but nothing seems to be out of my abilities.

Ive traded some of my old rims with another member on bimmerforums.com for some M3 brakes, will find out if theyre good enough for the 8. Ive had them on my car before, they werent too bad, but i had all stock componants and compounds. I may purchase a real big brake kit later down the line, but these will do for now.

There are a couple driveline shops here in town to do my driveshaft up for me, but that comes later down the line when i have the engine, transmission, and differential mounted in there.

I currently have a 3.45lsd, 3.25lsd, and 4.10lsd in my possession, the 4.10s are in the 325ti and the 3.45 is in the clubsport still. The 3.25lsd had a mishap and the spider gears ate themselves. I plan to use a 3.73lsd with this 6spd and weld in new mounting hardware to the chassis since the hatchback and z3s were built with a single mount ear for the differential. Ill be purchasing the dual eared mount plate and will be drawing up some specs of the mounts needed in autocad. Ill also be pulling the axles from the old E30s or from a Mz3.

I havent decided on the complete exhaust just yet, but have been leaning towards magnaflow equipment and custom headers.

I may take a stab at wiring myself as electronics dont scare me. If they do, im sure there are companies who can step in and work for me.

There are still many other components to this project that need to be done and thought over, but this is still a good starting spot for me.

My goals:

~400flywheel Horses
Semi-nuetral handling
15k budget
ETA July 2010
Daily drivable (during the summer), some autocross capability
Reliable
Still feels like a bmw, just more power

 

1996 318ti Sport, black on black/gray. This chassis is located in Kentucky and im driving down to pick it up 9-8-09 with a buddy of mine. Stay tuned for more pics and updates.

 

Sounds like fun

Several people have done swaps with z3s which have the same rear suspension as the TI (for non BMW folks, the TI and the z3 have the prior 3 sweries (e30) rear suspension).

 

you might as well do a nice h/c setup and maybe forged pistons and rods before you throw in the motor if you are rebuilding it anyways........400fwhp will get old real fast

 

You think so? I weighed in at 2780 with the 4cyl and 2820 with the 6 with full equipment and a/c. I plan to be around the same weight or less when im all done with this project. Also, are you talking about front wheel horse power or flywheel horse power? Bmws are only rwd or awd

 

cool, nice car!

good luck staying within the budget.. im already way past the thought of having a budget, i learned there is no such thing in building a ground up car. Nice to see another Ti LSx being built! We'll have to run them someday.

 

Well, so far, the chassis is 2.3k and i already have most every part besides the drivetrain, i think 13k for drivetrain and exhasut is enough. lol

 

Picking up my engine tomorrow from Michigan. Maybe theyre a member on here?!?

 

what are u doing as far as mounts and headers?

 

The mounts will be custom made, still researching on the headers.

 

Y the TI over a normal 3 series (e36)?

 

Out of the 6 different e36 models, its the lightest and has many options for rear end piece-mealing. The ti's rear takes some getting used to (lookswise) but overall is a great car to drive. It shares the roady/coupe/e30 rear end semi-trailing arm setup which makes for fun times with the throttle. My Moreagrun metallic ti has a modded 2.5L and 4.10Lsd in it an can keep up with m3s and the like all day long. Its a geat little chassis, though looked over because of looks and the 4cyl being the only option available in the states. I think the ti plus ls1 is a great combo even with the ls1 in stock form.

 

He's had several of the Ti cars, I think he likes 'em.

Good seeing you over here "BlueBimma".

 

subscribed i wanna see this done keep us posted

 

Most people who know me know i go to great lengths to get what i want. Picked up this nice little ls1 today in michigan for 400$. Rebuilt and comes with new parts.

 

looks good so far and all the best.
Here is a thread that might be of interest
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-95-318ti.html

 

I know the MZ3 is a sought after piece by the hybrid bimmer guys.

Is the ring and pinion the same in the regular Z3 and Ti as a E36? How much power will the rear take with the E30 axles and motosport cover?

 

I wouldnt be using the single eared mz3 mounting plate because they snap under high tq/hp. The internals of all the differentials are capable as long as the case sizing is the same. Joez is putting down 357rwhp and 370rwtq with e30 axles without a problem in his ls1 z3.

 

I saw that thread a few days ago as well as a long time ago, when he was making it, on 318ti.org. Goregous work, shame it was rolled.

 

hey Bluebimma, I've read most if not all ur threads on the org. I've been wanting to do the same project for some time, only difference i'm keeping the 4L60e trans. Ill keep following ur thread so i can get some pointers, Keep up the good work.