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.'

 

thats gunna be mean...those cars are TINY

 

Wow nice, we need more pics!

-Dave

 

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!

 

This the same JCarp that had an MZ3 w/ s50b32????

 

The exhaust coming together

 

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.

 

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.

 

That starter is going to get toasty. Make sure you put a heat shield over it. I'll post some pictures of mine tomorrow.

 

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).

 

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.

 

Wow! Impressive work! Very nicely done

Pat

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!!!!!

 

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.

 

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.

 

thats going to be wonderful on track with those tire sizes.
awesome
cant wait to see it done!

 

Wow, what size wheel (and offset) are you running up front to squeeze 275's under there?