BMW E30 LS1/T-56 Questions!!
BMW E30 LS1/T-56 Questions!! I've decided to commit to doing this swap to my 87 325e
I rescently lived in Germany and developed quite a liking for the E30's. I owned one and drove it for a year. It was an 87 320 5p 4dr. That car was a blast the way it was. Carved corners like it was nothing. I couldn't help the whole time though wondering what it would be like with an LS1. I had my 01 WS6 in Germany as well and it was alot of fun, but it was just a lil bit of a slob when it came to the corners. It just didn't compare to that lil BMW. Now I know there will be some trade off in handling due to weight but I figure it will be minimal given the Iron I-6 trade off for the Aluminum LS1
Anyway enough BS-ing
I have this 2dr 87 325e that I bought solely for the purpose of doing the LS1/T-56 swap.
Have any of you guys done this swap or know anyone that has done this swap?
I could use any and all the help I can get.
I also need to know what BMW suspension components will work best, as I'm going to convert it all to 5-lug
Thanks
I rescently lived in Germany and developed quite a liking for the E30's. I owned one and drove it for a year. It was an 87 320 5p 4dr. That car was a blast the way it was. Carved corners like it was nothing. I couldn't help the whole time though wondering what it would be like with an LS1. I had my 01 WS6 in Germany as well and it was alot of fun, but it was just a lil bit of a slob when it came to the corners. It just didn't compare to that lil BMW. Now I know there will be some trade off in handling due to weight but I figure it will be minimal given the Iron I-6 trade off for the Aluminum LS1
Anyway enough BS-ing
I have this 2dr 87 325e that I bought solely for the purpose of doing the LS1/T-56 swap.
Have any of you guys done this swap or know anyone that has done this swap?
I could use any and all the help I can get.
I also need to know what BMW suspension components will work best, as I'm going to convert it all to 5-lug
Thanks
Originally Posted by speedyhawk101
Have any of you guys done this swap or know anyone that has done this swap?
Originally Posted by speedyhawk101
I also need to know what BMW suspension components will work best, as I'm going to convert it all to 5-lug.
Originally Posted by Derek 357i
I made it about 80% into the project before I called it. I went too extreme and my budget for an 84 318i got out of control.
I'm debating on selling my 01 WS6 just to help fund this. Is it possible to get it done with $10,000? Or am I seeing visions of grandure?
You guys know of any sites that have documented any E30/LS1 conversions?
Finally.... Is it possible to have a operational BMW gauge cluster with the LS1 or does all that have to go?
I ended up selling all of the conversion specific stuff as a kit to a guy wanting to do the same project. I parted out all of the BMW stuff. By buying right on all of the BMW stuff, I ended up getting out of the car all of the money I had in it. Hours were free of course 
I don't think it is possible on 10K, especially if you are planning a 5 lug conversion. When I quit I had around 16-18 in it, and had yet to start on the body. I figured by the time I did the M3 widebody (1" wider than regular M3) + M3 rear window conversion, I would have had a 25K+ 84 318i.
I bought an RX7 convertible which will be receiving the engine and trans, everything else is gone...
I don't think it is possible on 10K, especially if you are planning a 5 lug conversion. When I quit I had around 16-18 in it, and had yet to start on the body. I figured by the time I did the M3 widebody (1" wider than regular M3) + M3 rear window conversion, I would have had a 25K+ 84 318i.
I bought an RX7 convertible which will be receiving the engine and trans, everything else is gone...
Hummmmm.........That's discouraging. I'm not made of money and I'm debating on selling my 01 WS6 in order to get this thing going. It would suck to sell the WS6 and still come up shy on the 357.
Originally Posted by speedyhawk101
Hummmmm.........That's discouraging. I'm not made of money and I'm debating on selling my 01 WS6 in order to get this thing going. It would suck to sell the WS6 and still come up shy on the 357.
Ask this guy
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ght=bmw+driver
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Originally Posted by Schitzo
cummon now!! how can you give up before you even started. shop smart,plan,sell smart do most of the work yourself and you'll end with a very potent car. A E30 LS1 would be pure Kama Sutra on wheels.
Ask this guy
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ght=bmw+driver
Ask this guy
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ght=bmw+driver
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I am not saying it can't be done for a reasonable amount of money, but I don't think $10K will get it done. There are just too many things that nickle dick you to death. Plus all the things that get swapped out "while I am in there" & "oh man that is a great deal on that."
Best of luck on the swap. Don't forget, e36 suspension swap means new wheels with e36 offsets too.
Here is a pic of mine with M Roadster suspension and 18X8.5 & 18X10 BBS CHs
Best of luck on the swap. Don't forget, e36 suspension swap means new wheels with e36 offsets too.
Here is a pic of mine with M Roadster suspension and 18X8.5 & 18X10 BBS CHs
That's the look that I'm talking about.
I've got a BBS body kit that was on my car when I got it. It will look good with the right rims.
I'm going for it!
I'm getting the WS6 prepared to be sold and then it's time for LS1 swapage
I've got a BBS body kit that was on my car when I got it. It will look good with the right rims.
I'm going for it!
I'm getting the WS6 prepared to be sold and then it's time for LS1 swapage
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2005
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search 'geezers garage' on you tube. he had 6 or 7 videos the last time i checked, about putting a LQ4/T56 (i think) into a E30. A couple of the videos are just basic info about the LSx/Lqx family and SBC history, but the later ones have some useful info.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=699289
REALLY good thread, lots of pics:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=699289
There are quite a few more threads about this topic on bimmerforums.com and r3vlimited.com
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=699289
REALLY good thread, lots of pics:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=699289
There are quite a few more threads about this topic on bimmerforums.com and r3vlimited.com
Originally Posted by speedyhawk101
I've decided to commit to doing this swap to my 87 325e
I rescently lived in Germany and developed quite a liking for the E30's. I owned one and drove it for a year. It was an 87 320 5p 4dr. That car was a blast the way it was. Carved corners like it was nothing. I couldn't help the whole time though wondering what it would be like with an LS1. I had my 01 WS6 in Germany as well and it was alot of fun, but it was just a lil bit of a slob when it came to the corners. It just didn't compare to that lil BMW. Now I know there will be some trade off in handling due to weight but I figure it will be minimal given the Iron I-6 trade off for the Aluminum LS1
Anyway enough BS-ing
I have this 2dr 87 325e that I bought solely for the purpose of doing the LS1/T-56 swap.
Have any of you guys done this swap or know anyone that has done this swap?
I could use any and all the help I can get.
I also need to know what BMW suspension components will work best, as I'm going to convert it all to 5-lug
Thanks
I rescently lived in Germany and developed quite a liking for the E30's. I owned one and drove it for a year. It was an 87 320 5p 4dr. That car was a blast the way it was. Carved corners like it was nothing. I couldn't help the whole time though wondering what it would be like with an LS1. I had my 01 WS6 in Germany as well and it was alot of fun, but it was just a lil bit of a slob when it came to the corners. It just didn't compare to that lil BMW. Now I know there will be some trade off in handling due to weight but I figure it will be minimal given the Iron I-6 trade off for the Aluminum LS1
Anyway enough BS-ing
I have this 2dr 87 325e that I bought solely for the purpose of doing the LS1/T-56 swap.
Have any of you guys done this swap or know anyone that has done this swap?
I could use any and all the help I can get.
I also need to know what BMW suspension components will work best, as I'm going to convert it all to 5-lug
Thanks
Was looking at doing a five lug conversion on my project 89 325i. No LS1 swap, but we are doing the turbo M20-b25...i have a GT35r turbo and other parts going on soon! The five lug swap- see e30tech.com for all details, but if you find a wrecked 318ti, its the same rear suspension as the E30 M3. The front spindles and control arms and stuff work as well.
Originally Posted by TwistedSS
Was looking at doing a five lug conversion on my project 89 325i. No LS1 swap, but we are doing the turbo M20-b25...i have a GT35r turbo and other parts going on soon! The five lug swap- see e30tech.com for all details, but if you find a wrecked 318ti, its the same rear suspension as the E30 M3. The front spindles and control arms and stuff work as well.
Originally Posted by speedyhawk101
Hummmmm.........That's discouraging. I'm not made of money and I'm debating on selling my 01 WS6 in order to get this thing going. It would suck to sell the WS6 and still come up shy on the 357.
Since u like your ws6 aswell why not save yourself the trouble and just do suspension work to the TA to make it handle like the bimmer? seems much cheaper and easier in my opinion.
Originally Posted by FU_I_AM_UltraZ
do you already have the LS1/t56 donor package? if not, save yourself some $$$ and get a LT1/T56. for a lighter car, that'll be fast enough for a toy.
The MZ3 stuff does fit front and rear, that is what is mounted on the car pictured above. It goes for some pretty good cash though. For the rear complete trailing arms (brakes & halfshafts) & the rear crossmember, mine sold for $1800 (no diff). I got $500 for front spindles and brakes.
Originally Posted by raven_450
Since u like your ws6 aswell why not save yourself the trouble and just do suspension work to the TA to make it handle like the bimmer? seems much cheaper and easier in my opinion.
I've had it for over 5 years and I'm done with it. I love the car but I'm ready to move on to something else. I've always like the E30, ever since I drove my uncles 91 318is way back in the day.
The T/A is fun but it's played out for me. I can always get another down the road.
Originally Posted by Derek 357i
I disagree. It will be fast enough, but the lighter all alum powerplant is where it is at.
The MZ3 stuff does fit front and rear, that is what is mounted on the car pictured above. It goes for some pretty good cash though. For the rear complete trailing arms (brakes & halfshafts) & the rear crossmember, mine sold for $1800 (no diff). I got $500 for front spindles and brakes.
The MZ3 stuff does fit front and rear, that is what is mounted on the car pictured above. It goes for some pretty good cash though. For the rear complete trailing arms (brakes & halfshafts) & the rear crossmember, mine sold for $1800 (no diff). I got $500 for front spindles and brakes.
I've got a 3.73 LSD