LS1 / T56 in an e30 BMW (1984)
LS1 / T56 in an e30 BMW (1984) I am happy to have stumbled upon this section. I am in the middle of preparing my 1984 318i for an LS1 / T56 conversion. Luckily BMW went to the e30 parts bin when they created the M Roadster, so all of those pieces swap in. I have 12 3/4" rotors on all 4 corners, coilover suspension blah blah blah, a bunch of BMW parts. The car will be track tight and weigh in at about 2400#
I am now building my budget back up and looking for my LS1 and T56. I'll keep you posted.
I am now building my budget back up and looking for my LS1 and T56. I'll keep you posted.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: LS1 / T56 in an e30 BMW (1984) I have had one of these running for about a year now, I love it. I am much happier with this set up than I was with the s-52(obd II back date)that I had in it before. Be forewarned that you will need the holden front sump oil pan, some creative exhaust work, motor and tranny mounts, a stand alone harness, a custom driveshaft, a quite a few days to screw with the small stuff(check control panel,etc). I have recently sold my conversion car and I am going to be building a stroker ls-1 powered 85 325e(lots of top secret stuff going on...hint E-46 brakes, QR manual steering, lots of weight reduction). Feel free to ask anything about this swap.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: LS1 / T56 in an e30 BMW (1984) I started to walk away and remebered quite a few other things, fuel pump, updated radiator and elec fans. There is more stuff, but my brain is failing me now( long day at work). I'll post if I can think of anything else. What suspension setup did you use( mz-3 rear subframe complete and the mix of e-36 front parts)?
Re: LS1 / T56 in an e30 BMW (1984) kefc:
I am glad to hear that someone out there has pioneered the way on this conversion. I am surprised about the Holden pan, seeing's how e30's are rear sump. So I guess it is the Holden pan or the Lingenfelter dry sump.
As for my suspension, I used an e30 6 cyl rear crossmember (the Z3 crossmember is width is 1/4" different) with MZ3 trailing arms and e30 M3 rear bilsteins with Ground Control adjustable springs. On the front, MZ3 (same as M3) spindles, rotors, calipers, GC Coilovers Bilstein e36 M3 front shocks.
Thanks for the offer for advice on the conversion, I am sure I will take you up on it. My email address is derekbkisler@galesburg.net
Here is the complete suspension list:
Full M Roadster F&R Suspension
e36 m3 Bilstein Front Struts
Bilstein Rear Shocks
GC Coilovers
GC Camber Plates
GC Rear Shock Mounts
Ireland Engineering Sways 25mm F & 22mm R
Offset Control Arm Bushings
Urethane Subframe Mounts
3.73 LSD with M Roadster Diff Cover
Tie Rod ends
Alum Control Arms
Street Adjustable Camber
e32 750il Master Cyl.
e39 540i 17 X 8 wheels
245 40 17 F, 255 40 17 R Michelin Sports
I am glad to hear that someone out there has pioneered the way on this conversion. I am surprised about the Holden pan, seeing's how e30's are rear sump. So I guess it is the Holden pan or the Lingenfelter dry sump.
As for my suspension, I used an e30 6 cyl rear crossmember (the Z3 crossmember is width is 1/4" different) with MZ3 trailing arms and e30 M3 rear bilsteins with Ground Control adjustable springs. On the front, MZ3 (same as M3) spindles, rotors, calipers, GC Coilovers Bilstein e36 M3 front shocks.
Thanks for the offer for advice on the conversion, I am sure I will take you up on it. My email address is derekbkisler@galesburg.net
Here is the complete suspension list:
Full M Roadster F&R Suspension
e36 m3 Bilstein Front Struts
Bilstein Rear Shocks
GC Coilovers
GC Camber Plates
GC Rear Shock Mounts
Ireland Engineering Sways 25mm F & 22mm R
Offset Control Arm Bushings
Urethane Subframe Mounts
3.73 LSD with M Roadster Diff Cover
Tie Rod ends
Alum Control Arms
Street Adjustable Camber
e32 750il Master Cyl.
e39 540i 17 X 8 wheels
245 40 17 F, 255 40 17 R Michelin Sports
