digx7997

Would anyone out there know anything about dropping a LS1 into an 89' BMW 325i??? i've heard about a basic 350, but does anyone know if i could use just the stock wiring from the LS1 or would i have to go with a painless setup or what?? any info is great!!

Derek 357i

iTrader: (1)

I am in the process of putting one into an '84 318i and I know a couple other guys who have done/are doing this conversion. Send me an email and I can send you some information.

derekbkisler@galesburg.net

Derek 357i

iTrader: (1)

Here is a link to a thread on dtmpower forum with pics of an M3 with the LS1 sitting in it.

http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/showth...5&pagenumber=1

You can also read some of the positive and negative comments you can expect to hear if you do the same conversion.

<small>[ September 23, 2002, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: Derek 357i ]</small>

jeromio

That guy's got a great looking install. It's nice to live vicariously thru the car projects of those who have the high dollars to spend.

An E30 cabrio with an LS1 - now that would be the ultimate car. With back seats for the kids even!

Those guys on the bimmer board - damn. What a pile of losers. True, there were many who were genuinely impressed. But the fecal tubes definitely stuck out.

Of course, I've brain washed myself by now - every car I see drive down the road gets an imaginary LS1 swap. And I have yet to so much as RIDE in an LS1 powered vehicle. (and I can't even sit in my Z and make vroom noises since the seats are out.)

Derek 357i

iTrader: (1)

I don't know what you consider high dollar, but I have an estimated budget of $13,000 for my car, factor in the 25% overage which always happens and that puts me around $16,000. And this is with full M Roadster Suspension, Dry Sump, OEM BMW 17X8 & 17X9 rims, coilovers, aftermarket sways. Essentially a very newish car for 16K, about the price of a Cavalier.

LS171Malibu

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Derek 357i:
<strong>I don't know what you consider high dollar, but I have an estimated budget of $13,000 for my car, factor in the 25% overage which always happens and that puts me around $16,000. And this is with full M Roadster Suspension, Dry Sump, OEM BMW 17X8 & 17X9 rims, coilovers, aftermarket sways. Essentially a very newish car for 16K, about the price of a Cavalier.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So is your 16K budget for the engine swap, or for your completed car? The reason I'm asking is I spent that much on my conversion alone, doing all the work myself, in a GM. Good luck.

Derek 357i

iTrader: (1)

Daaammmmnnnn Dude, you spent $16K on a conversion alone? I paid $2800 for a 34K mile LS1 complete from MAF to PCM to oil pan (though I am changing the pan). I got a 12K mile T56 complete for $1200. Items not done yet: $450 for John at Speartech to rework the harness, $1500 (used) dry sump oiling system used, probably $350 for driveshaft. Probably $1000 for misc brackets, fuel pump, lines etc... What else am I missing to make up the other $10 grand for the conversion?

<small>[ September 24, 2002, 10:58 PM: Message edited by: Derek 357i ]</small>

jeromio

Wow, $350 for the driveshaft? I got mine with the motor, $50 for shortening, $35 for the flange adapter and $10 for the funky U joint (flange adapter is for the smaller, oldstyle TH400 ujoint).

I'm using the stock harness, although I did have to give John some dollars to reprog my PCM.

My motor (with 4L60E) was $2K (also 34K mi). I sold the A4 for $500 and bought a T56 (rebuilt) for $1100. I have about another $500 in various motor/trans parts (clutch, MC/SC, mount, etc).

I guess I'm doin pretty good dollar-wise. Hard to convince my wife of that.

John B

iTrader: (10)

My "stock" conversion cost ~ $9K....here's the link to all the details down to the penny http://home.earthlink.net/~bzdel/PhaseISwapCost.htm

I'll let you guys guess the price of my phase II mods that took the RWHP/RWTQ from 288/300 to 424/400 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

LS171Malibu

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Derek 357i:
<strong>Daaammmmnnnn Dude, you spent $16K on a conversion alone? I paid $2800 for a 34K mile LS1 complete from MAF to PCM to oil pan (though I am changing the pan). I got a 12K mile T56 complete for $1200. Items not done yet: $450 for John at Speartech to rework the harness, $1500 (used) dry sump oiling system used, probably $350 for driveshaft. Probably $1000 for misc brackets, fuel pump, lines etc... What else am I missing to make up the other $10 grand for the conversion?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I am gonna go out on a limb here, you haven't bagan the install or the nickle and dime stuff. I will give you a list of the big dollar items

complete doner engine/trans 4100 after shipping
harness 940 street&performance
headers custom and coated 1000 street&performance
exhaust with X a two borlas 750
becool radiater and fans 1000 summit
heads 1700
cam 430
clutch master slave 700
shifter 200
eng mounts poly and adapters 250
vette brackets and accessories over 1000
fuel pump regulator and throttle cable 400
head bolts and gaskets 100

I also did a disk brake coversion, deemed necessary over 1000
12 bolt posi all new 1500
There is still so many nickle and dime items I did not list

This list comes to 14870

<small>[ September 26, 2002, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: LS171Malibu ]</small>

LS171Malibu

By the way that engine is now sold and I am building this winters new project <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />