looking good...now i know who is gonna make my headers...j/k
keep up the good work

 

Deano1712,
Damn dude. The headers look Great! Alot cheaper than paying for some.(iffin they existed)

 

Those are some seriously tight headers. Cant say that Ive seen anyone build their own collectors either. Looks awesome

Im digging your engine bay jig too

 

There is no chance any regular headers would work. The drivers side has the steering shaft going straight though it. I have two tubes going outboard and two inboard. There is about 10mm clearance around the headers to the body/engine/wishbones which (I hope) will be enough. They have to run over the X-brace too so its been fun
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5002613112/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5002613112/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
The steering shaft needs to be thinnner so I have used a E36 saloon car shaft and extended it with some 15mm stainless bar. The Z3 shaft is quite a bit longer (505mm). This option has saved me plenty cash. Vorshalg have one for $425 for the Z3, this one cost me £20!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5002611442/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5002611442/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5002611974/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5002611974/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

 

i like the steering shaft mod..looks good and a super money saver..

 

Nice work. I am doing an LS1 4l60e in Thailand now in a right hand drive e30. Was going for the e36 steering rack conversion but couldn't get it past the starter, difference in angle, so I will have to change out to the original. Nice to see someone else doing a right hand conversion.

 

I have not updated for a while so here's a bit of progress...

Fitted a Corvette FPR and made a fuel pipe in aluminium.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5047716995/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5047716995/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
Pic also shows a new transmission mount I made. Its stronger, simpler and includes cutouts for the exhaust pipes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5047718725/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5047718725/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
The fuel pipe runs past the headers and I have a short hose to the engine.

I have finished the steering shaft and the trial fit shows it running nicely though the header tubes. Happy days.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5107389145/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5107389145/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

I bought some F-body accessories and they dont fit the LS3. I ended up machining 22mm off the back of the alternator bracket and have that fitted with a short belt. The PS pump is going where the aircom pump normally goes - no need for aircon here in UK lol.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5094839940/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5094839940/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
I have a GM performance parts LS3 controller kit, and LS376/480 upgrade kit (cam). I laid the harness out on the engine and it seems too long and will take a bit of work to route well. The computer and relay box is going on the drivers (RH) side infornt of the brake master.
After buying Cats that were too big I now have some smaller metal spun Cats and have the central exhausts nearly complete. Just need welding now. Another month and it should be running
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5107388495/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5107388495/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

 

great job, i have always been partial to Z3's. first car i remember seeing and wanting immediately when BMW built thier plant here in '94.

and i dont mind ls's too much either...

 

Nice!!! Thanks for the updates. I was wondering what's going on with this project. Gonna be fun when it's done..

Tails

 

love the Z3's and thinking about doing something similar. nice project! Subscribing...

 

The middle exhaust section is now made and fits well. I have the front of it hanging from the transmission mount. The rear silencers are standard M Roadster. I figure these should flow well enough, but maybe a bit quiet we will see.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5132430662/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5132430662/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5131830589/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5131830589/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

Engine and gearbox mounts are all complete now and will be off for powder coating this week. The headers are now away being ceramic coated and I get them back on 12th November. The plan is to get the rest of the car ready by then for the engine to go back in for the final time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5131831337/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5131831337/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

 

Recent work has been focussed on cleaning up the engine bay and adding mounts for computer and relay box. I'm now close to fitting the engine for the last time and starting the engine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168042090/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168042090/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168041036/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168041036/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168041540/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168041540/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5167442719/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5167442719/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168042750/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5168042750/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

 

Looks good I like the trans mount with the exhaust hanger incorporated.

 

Nice work.
Looks great, keep up the good work.

What did you do to the original M powerplant?

 

The S50B32 engine was sold on e bay c/w computer and wiring. Its going in a 600kg kit car apparently!

I got the headers back yesterday all ceramic coated. Looks like a good job. Easy to scratch though
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5175216355/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5175216355/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5175214033/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5175214033/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

Engine bay now has a heat shield and coolant pipes so its ready for the engine to go in. Thats the next job but Im just waiting parts from the powder coaters.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5175820044/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197859@N04/5175820044/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/7197859@N04/, on Flickr

 

Clean!

Good Job.

 

Very well designed and well thought out project. Are you an engineer by trade?

 

Thank you sir. Yes I am a mechanical engineer. Presently engineering manager for this in my work role, so know all about vehicle engineering.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrier_vehicle

Always wanted a V8 motor and had the car for 4 years now so thought they would make a good pair.

 

Well done, subscribed.

 

sir , i salute you !

amazing build and skills!

can you elaborate more on why the f body accessories did not work on your ls3 block?