LS1 powered E36

Hi all, DO NOT RESPOND IF YOU ARE GONNA FLAME, I don't want to hear it. I want to combine the both of my loves in life, BMW's and Chevy. I am trying to find some info on swaps, specifically LS1 swap into a E36 or E30. I have found the vorshlag site and have been in touch with them about it. They are doing at E36 as we speak. Anyone know of any other sites or know people that have done it. I have seen a older small block chevy and a blown big block in a E30, just wondering about the more current LS1 blocks. Anyone?

You're not alone, I've been possesed with the obsession of straping in an LS6, yes a 454!!! into my e28, I'm just afraid of emissions, and the legality of this project.:cool: maybe I'll go with a 302,those are fun.

TECH, out of curiosity, will this swap be available through Dinan? j/k. man, if I heard an E30 idle by lub-lub-lub-lub-lub, i think I would wet myself. As much as it makes me want to cry to do this to a bmw, I am strangely intrigued. Keep us posted.

No real enthusiast should flame. As a past owner of an LS1 (Z28), I can honestly say, very few engines produce so much effortless power at such an affordable price. Combining that power with a BMW chassis would be awesome, but you've got to keep the weight balance fr & rear close to orig, or all that legendary handling will be lost. Good luck with the project!

Well just to let you know, the LS1 5.7, since its an aluminum block and the M52 is cast iron, you can actually lose weight by doing the swap, so with the supercharger I will add :) should be about even! Hahaha, the motor alone will put me into the 10's.

Just out of interest the M52 in the Euro spec cars are Alloy Blocked.

Would be interesting to know how the front/rear weighting differs in them or what other changes have been made?

Rossco
1996 E36 320i
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?s=&postid=518748

Not sure about that one Ross, may have to check on that one.

Are you planning on swapping out the transmission as well? maybe the whole driveline? what was the site that you seen examples of this done?

The site is something like vorshlag.com I think. Yeah it would be a whole swap, except rearend. LS1 5.7 with a T56 and a custom driveshaft. Street & Performance harness and one heavy foot! Thinking of the automatic though, less shock on the rear, less chance of blowing it up. Auto can be a hair faster if built right, especially with the LS1's. Manuals are way more fun, just want a hair of reliability. Chat later.

I love Chevy's and BMW's too. I thought about this once, then I thought it would be a dumb idea. I guess I wasn't the only one.
Keep us posted, and remember, you have to let me drive it.:wink:

umm yeah I will sure drive to wyoming to let you f up my car :) I will keep you posted, still looking for the donor though, have a couple of possibilities as we speak.

I was just kidding dude.

Anyways, where did you find the motors? Tell us the condition and stuff.:smile:

I haven't found a motor yet, but I haven't looking to hard either. I see them available for about 2-2500 for motor and trans. It would be alot of money to do this so don't count on it happening over night. I know you were kidding, so was I :) I will keep you all posted on what happens.

Ok. I'll keep checking this thread like everyday till it happens.:devil: