I needed a family car, so an LS BMW was the obvious choice ( Build thread)

[schema]

.........

[schema]

Wife thinks its a bad idea to put a baby seat in the back of a vette, so this is my solution to avoid buying a minivan

Goal # 1 is to get the car moving under its own power.


Loose timeline:
X- Pull BMW drivetrain around xmas
X- Clean car
X- Install motor/trans mounts (already ordered)
X- Purchase motor/trans around new years
X Test fit to determine oil pan route - If I cant modify the truck LS pan to clear, I'll grab the holley retrofit pan
X Measure and have custom driveshaft made
- Test fit headers. If I can make the log manifolds work, those are going in.
- Tack up rest of exhaust








Going to look at the car









Day 1



Day 3


- - - Updated - - -

Built wheel stands. Whatever you call them. Best thing ever





Bam.







Got most of the accessories and harness unplugged. The stands ate most of the night. Day at a time







Grabbing the engine stand and lift after work tomorrow

- - - Updated - - -

Day 7



Just got done pulling this today. Grabbed a 411 ECU ,harness, and drive by wire pedal while i was at it.







Donor







Neighbor who gave me a hand posing with the crane. Release the beast!




- - - Updated - - -

Day 10 - Motor out


I took a timelapse vid but my neighbor came over and knocked the plug without me realizing. Ah well




- - - Updated - - -

Day 11


Built the rear carriages and got the car level. This will be useful for measuring the new driveshaft and building the exhaust.








Old motor out







Dirty







Clean











Alllllmost in. I forgot to take the oil pan off that I knew wouldn't clear/fit, and didn't have time to drain and remove. Mounts are already in, should be good to go tomorrow ( or later this week). Ahead of schedule either way :tup:

[LSxDreamer]

I'm assuming you're using the 4L60e out of that Tahoe as well? I'll be following this closely as I'd like to do the same.

You mentioned family duty, that one have the LATCH anchors in the rear seat cushion?

[schema]

I'm assuming you're using the 4L60e out of that Tahoe as well? I'll be following this closely as I'd like to do the same.

You mentioned family duty, that one have the LATCH anchors in the rear seat cushion?

Yep, they added the LATCH stuff beginning in 2001. I'm putting the 4l60e in there. They're SUPER cheap . And I rebuilt the one in my vette with upgrade clutchpacks + transgo shift kit, I'll probably do the same to this one after the build is done.

[doktor b]

Subscribed

[LSxDreamer]

Yep, they added the LATCH stuff beginning in 2001. I'm putting the 4l60e in there. They're SUPER cheap . And I rebuilt the one in my vette with upgrade clutchpacks + transgo shift kit, I'll probably do the same to this one after the build is done.

Fantastic. You going to use Thaniel's setup to make all the computers/systems happy? I'm subscribed to this one, hopefully you'll document even the little things

[schema]

Motor is mounted.

Trans tunnel took some massaging and it didn't click that the trans mount (made for the T56) doesn't quite go around the big ass transmission pan.


Sooooo I'll be playing with the CNC plasma cutter after I design a new one.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Am I the only one not able to see the pics in this thread?

Tipsy

[schema]

Am I the only one not able to see the pics in this thread?

Tipsy

Hrm.I can see them, but I noticed when I looked at the thread on my phone, they didn't show. They're hosted on Imgur. I'll make sure theres no permissions set or anything.


Edit: They're all set to public - let me know if you still cant see them

[popz]

Cant see them either. What model is the swap going in?

[schema]

Rehosted to photobucket, hopefully you can see pics now

[TipsyMcStagger]

Rehosted to photobucket, hopefully you can see pics now

Yep...all fixed!

Tipsy

[schema]

Fantastic. You going to use Thaniel's setup to make all the computers/systems happy? I'm subscribed to this one, hopefully you'll document even the little things

I'll definitely be reading through all his threads when I get to that point.

[schema]

Mocked up the trans mount. Will beef it up tomorrow



Test fitting

[PITT M3 RR]

Fast progress and looks well planned, nice job so far!! I had a build 4l60E in my last truck and loved it.

[schema]

Kept blowing the fuse with my 110 Tig, neighbor will lay some thick MIG welds at his work and trans mount is done.

Next up is a driveshaft, then drivetrain will be complete. I may get around to modifying the truck oil pan to have similar dimensions as the Holley LSx pan this week as well.

[schema]

- driveshaft modification didnt work out, so I'll get one made like planned.
- ordered a comple LS6 intake with rails/injectors
- started working on exhaust manifolds. Cut the flange after removing the egr mount and will have to do the same to both sides.

[James39]

3-series is a family car? I hope the baby seat fits back there. Pretty sure the e39 with a baby seat in the back is pretty cramped.

Looks good!

[bimerok]

When you compare Vette vs 3 Series, the 3er becomes mini van

[James39]

Yeah, I guess it's all relative!

[schema]

3-series is a family car? I hope the baby seat fits back there. Pretty sure the e39 with a baby seat in the back is pretty cramped.

Looks good!

Shhh, don't tell my wife.

[LSxDreamer]

To be fair, both of my kids' seats physically fit in my old E36 without adjusting the driver's seat at all (I'm 5'11) so I'll think you'll be fine. One of them was even rear facing.

[schema]

Now with more LS6 intake



Modeled this AC bracket my neighbor had for his car. I'll ghetto fab one out of steel using the dimensions

[U\

[LSxDreamer]

Never did ask: what are your thoughts on the CX mounts? They are the cheapest option by far but I wonder about the quality. Since you seem to have the same goal as I would (DD family duty) would appreciate your thoughts. Any thoughts on the poly bushings, or will you need to drive it first (likely) to really tell if they're too harsh for this setting?

[schema]

Never did ask: what are your thoughts on the CX mounts? They are the cheapest option by far but I wonder about the quality. Since you seem to have the same goal as I would (DD family duty) would appreciate your thoughts. Any thoughts on the poly bushings, or will you need to drive it first (likely) to really tell if they're too harsh for this setting?

So far so good, but I cant really comment on anything other than it gets the motor in place. Can't use their trans mount unless you get a T56. Metal is stainless and seems to be thick enough, and they use a universal mounting plate for the engine (shrug).



As for updates - just a bunch of stuff coming in from the mail. I expect to go from no updates to a bunch of stuff getting done all at once.


I made a thing while waiting for parts though....







Super precise work going on. Printed 1:1 scale and used a punch to line up mounting holes (after I already welded on top of it, heh)







Bam. Like it was store bought















Estimated cost savings by making my own mount - at least $3.


worth it