Me too... I don't see much down side to doing something like this. Hate to ask but what does something like this cost, after the car is bought....

Probably less than rebuilding the original engine...nice swap. How much weight difference up front?

Don't know, I'll add it up when it's done. Certainly more than it'll be worth.

The weight gain, which is minimal comes from the trans not the engine. Cast iron six, all aluminum eight. I'll gain a few pounds but I'm looking to lose weight else where. The car has E30 M3 front control arms (aluminum). It'll be ABS delete and AC delete for now. Seats will be swapped out for fixed Recaros. And I'll do some CF body panels at some point. Hood, trunk lid, and fenders are available. Also I can pick up Euro spec doors which are aluminum. The car's a keeper so the sky's the limit.

Just when I think I know what direction I want to go in .... something like this happens...:)

Neat project..but I would have gone forced induction (turbo not SC) with the E36 motor.
Yasin

should have used a porsche platform...much lighter, easier to convert, and with the engine in the rear much better traction in a straight line. also many perofrmance porsche parts are interchangeable with earlier model cars...such as most suspension parts, brakes, wheels, etc. i looked into such a swap but ended up with the porsche combination...700 plus chp ls7 in a highly modified 78 930 ...2300 pound chassis...no frills and much weight reduction of course....now that has the potential to be real potent combination! and you cant beat the rear view!!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313238683.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313238728.jpg

Where do you get the LS engine? Are those available as crates?

How did this pencil out vs the alternative of a BMW V8?

Found the motor (long block) on eBay. Paid $1200. LSx engines are available as crates or pull outs. I wouldn't do a BMW V8 because they just don't fit like the LSx does and I'd be right back in the same boat, $$ a long way away from 500hp $$. I'll have that kind of power for way under $7000. That's just not gonna' happen with a BMW engine, F/I or N/A. The aftermarket suppliers for the GM engines are endless.

The BMW V8 motor would be worse in every metric: size, weight, cost, power, aftermarket, repair costs

But, But the Chevy has PUSHRODS! OMG that's so 1900's technology!

Just curious: why wouldn't one start with a 318 or something if you are going to change all the parts? Is there something about the M3 Tub that is really desirable?

Not to steal the OP's thread, but I'd like to see more of that 911 V8!

I'm looking forward to the BMW conversion as well. I think engine swaps are great.

Yeah, I don't get it. They (LSx) get better fuel economy and put out more power. Don't get me wrong, I love a good high revving BMW engine, the S65 comes to mind.

The rod bolts I'll be using, they need to be stretched, that should be fun. $200 insurance policy.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1313291417

There are a few differences, not to say that if the right 318 came along I would have passed on it. But to find a nice rust free 318i suitable for this swap would have been tough. The M3's have some reinforcements from the factory that the older 318's didn't. Rear sub frame mount points to name one. The suspension components are beefier on the M3's too. But that would have been easy and inexpensive to fix. Bottom line the 95 M3 was the easiest platform to find that met all of my criteria.

A guy here had several turbo E36 setups, he said at the end of the day, the LS makes more power, cheaper....

Love it.
With that much horsepower the shock tower mounts might want to be reinforced more. What the stock M3 E36 came with is NOT enough. I love mine, Dinan chipped and Dinan intake, Super-sprint exhaust. It is a little monster compared to what you are building.
What car did your LSx engine come from? Vette? Year?


( ps Looking for an Estoril Blue front driver-side fender if you know of one..)

I know of one, but I don't think mom would let me sell parts off her car. ;)

Dude , you have a cool Mom!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313356254.jpg


Or you could install a LS3 into an E30 318is.

Just want to let you know that I am SO DIGGIN' THIS THREAD!!! I've eye-balled the engine bay on those cars and thought to myself "Self? An SBC or better yet a newer LS series would just be smashing right there."

And that black 930? Please, please open a seperate thread on that one and post pictures until your fingers are tired! Whatta BEAST!

angela