Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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LS1 into 95 318ti

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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 10:57 AM
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Default LS1 into 95 318ti

Here's a cross post from the local BMW board.

'It's a tight fit, but it does fit, even with proper equal length stepped tube headers. Finished the motor mounts today, the drivetrain is officially located. Now the fun part of plumbing, wiring, finishing out the exhaust etc... Looks like we'll be retaining the ABS motor, just moving it to the other side of the bay and fabricating new brake lines and extending the wiring harness. Topped off the day with an icy cold PBR.'
Attached Thumbnails LS1 into 95 318ti-3-22-06b-002-2-.jpg   LS1 into 95 318ti-3-22-06-011-2-.jpg  
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 12:12 PM
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thats gunna be mean...those cars are TINY
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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Wow nice, we need more pics!

-Dave
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 02:11 PM
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what what whaaaaaaaat!?!??! a DIY'er workin on a BMW, I love it! not many of 'em around

more pics more pics!
love that super-short 318ti chassis! they look so weird but the LS1 is gonna make it quite, uh, ummmm, snappy? yeah, snappy!
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 08:26 PM
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This the same JCarp that had an MZ3 w/ s50b32????
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 02:35 PM
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The exhaust coming together
Attached Thumbnails LS1 into 95 318ti-exhaust-1.jpg   LS1 into 95 318ti-exhaust-2.jpg  
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by owen v8litew8
what what whaaaaaaaat!?!??! a DIY'er workin on a BMW, I love it! not many of 'em around
You have no idea what you're talking about. There's freakin' even a website called bimmerdiy.com, and I personally know very very many BMW diy'ers in the local area alone.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 05:05 PM
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What header are you using for the swap? I know of a few other E36 LS1 swappers, but they are all fabbing their own custom headers.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by fwdsucks
What header are you using for the swap? I know of a few other E36 LS1 swappers, but they are all fabbing their own custom headers.
Same here, custom fabbed equal length headers by the same persom making the exhaust.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 09:26 PM
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That starter is going to get toasty. Make sure you put a heat shield over it. I'll post some pictures of mine tomorrow.
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 12:14 AM
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Ahh. That sucks, custom headers == $$$$$.

How are you going to tackle the wiring?

I am playing with the idea of putting one in a 323ci (e46).
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Old Apr 7, 2006 | 11:20 AM
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More pictures.

Full exhaust

Oil line fittings on modded pan to get them away from the headers. They feed to an oil cooler, accusump, and larger remote filter.

Harness going in.

Headers and exhaust will be coming off to get coated - things are getting closer.
Attached Thumbnails LS1 into 95 318ti-fullexhaust.jpg   LS1 into 95 318ti-harness.jpg   LS1 into 95 318ti-oillines.jpg  
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Old Apr 7, 2006 | 12:14 PM
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Wow! Impressive work! Very nicely done

Pat
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Old Apr 16, 2006 | 09:48 PM
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This looks great.

What rear end are you using?

And what state are you in?

I have had great interest doing this same swap, but I live in California (or better known as The People's Republic of California) and I know that custom headers are the only way around the steering column, but in CA all headers must be CARB approved to pass smog, and to get custom headers to be CARB certified could run a few grand. And the only after market headers that are CARB certified for LSx engines are shorties and I still think they won't fit.
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Old Apr 17, 2006 | 10:04 AM
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I'm using a built up M Roadster rear end with diff cooler. Since this is a road race car and not a drag car it should be fine, if not I set up to the larger Euro rear end.

I'm in Seattle and unfortunately you won't find any CARB certified headers that will work.

Currently the headers, exhaust, motor mounts etc are out being heat coated. Once they are back the engine will be re-installed and final assembly will begin.
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Old Apr 17, 2006 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by shnitz
You have no idea what you're talking about. There's freakin' even a website called bimmerdiy.com, and I personally know very very many BMW diy'ers in the local area alone.
just messin around, thats why I put in the smiley face...

awesome build! thats gonna be so much fun to drive, sounds like you have the rear end figured out (WOW!)... what are you going to run for suspension and wheels/tires?
I wondered how the car will be prepped... street trim or all out racecar, etc... do you have any idea what it will weigh when youre done with it?
definitely a cool project!!!!!
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Old Apr 17, 2006 | 05:36 PM
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It's a re-enforced M3 suspension in the front, M Roadster in the rear running Ground Control coil overs. Weight was 2507 wet before, should fall between 2450 -2500 when it is all done.

Tires are still under consideration, I'm leaning towards 315x17 in the rear and 275x17 up front. Currently it has 245x17 Hoosiers all the way around.
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Old Apr 17, 2006 | 08:07 PM
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Very cool. My mom had a '95 ti and put over 150k miles on it over 8 or 9 years. It was a cool little car. Once she was done with it, my dad's friend did some track days with it.



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Old Apr 18, 2006 | 09:43 AM
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thats going to be wonderful on track with those tire sizes.
awesome
cant wait to see it done!
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 08:36 AM
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Wow, what size wheel (and offset) are you running up front to squeeze 275's under there?
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