E39 LS1 Swap Completed

[rao]

I just finished up my e39 LS1 swap - http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1517185

So far I am really enjoying the E39

[newton22]

That's badass! Shouldn't it be a 566i though? You got an LSD in the back?

You should pull on some E39 M5s.

Edit: It says LS1 here, but LS2 in that thread?

[Dat Aus]

jealous

[Monty540]

Nice sleeper.

Not a push rod fan but well done.

[Musicman132]

looks sweet! I would love to do that! looks pretty sweet. Do you have a detailed list of all you had to get to do the swap? if so you should pm me... I'm considering alot of things nowadays... kinda wanted to see what it would take to do one of these...

[Kevin Da Clean1]

rao,

That is one sick build man. I like the fact that it's a BMW with a Chevy power plant & on the top of that 6-speed manual there is a Ford Mustang Cobra shift knob... !

[rao]

That's badass! Shouldn't it be a 566i though? You got an LSD in the back?

You should pull on some E39 M5s.

Edit: It says LS1 here, but LS2 in that thread?

I installed a M% rear diff and it works The block is technically a LS2, but the electronics are LS1, the heads are L92, the intake manifold L76 so even I get mixed up sometimes

jealous

Thanks

Nice sleeper.

Not a push rod fan but well done.

I agree, push rods don't work very well

looks sweet! I would love to do that! looks pretty sweet. Do you have a detailed list of all you had to get to do the swap? if so you should pm me... I'm considering alot of things nowadays... kinda wanted to see what it would take to do one of these...

I used 3/8" steel plate to make the mounts; it is all basic hot rodding

If you want to alk specifics,, PM or e-mail me.

rao,

That is one sick build man. I like the fact that it's a BMW with a Chevy power plant & on the top of that 6-speed manual there is a Ford Mustang Cobra shift knob... !

Sharp eye

[s car]

Is it just me, or do the majority of the pictures not work?

[jnyost]

Nice!!

[devildog0341]

Very cool. we do a lot of LS swaps, but mostly in street rods. I have been playing with the idea of swapping on into my 540i/6 but just waiting for it to die. 179000miles and counting.

[rao]

Now with Forced Induction

I ended up changing my plans completely and went with a TVS1900 Supercharger. I had to switch back to cathedral port heads (so I am selling my L92 top end setup). It took a little work, but I am happy with the results. I plan on running 8-10 psi of boost eventually, but for now I have a larger pulley installed which should give around 6 psi of boost. I still have to do the tuning, but at least it is back together and working

Pics:











I used Radiator black on the top part of the heat exchanger, it was a little too much with the whole thing shiny.

[AutoRotate]

Woooooooo!

That is unbelievable. Such a great swap...

[93formula]

now thats badass!!!

[jfboy]

Wow very nice build!

You make this M5 owner jealous.

I would consire this as an option if my s62 ever quits on me.

Did you fabricated you mounts yourself? what were the major challenges with this swap?

[Niedrig5]

Now if you could just somehow fit the 540 engine cover over it. Nice job..if it wasn't for hot rodders..we wouldn't have cool cars to begin with, ...just smart cars..and skoda's...maybe one of those lada 4x4 boxes.

[njgilligan]

That is awesome, great job.

I don't mean any disrespect, I'm just a complete noob to BMWs (bought my first one last November), but I was wondering why the LS1 seems to be such a popular motor to put in these cars. As far as I know, the Germans make some very nice, and powerful, V8s. I guess they're typically more expensive or more complicated to swap in?

Nevertheless, great build, I'm jealous.

[kaboomims]

Nothing is as cheap, small, light, and reliable, no matter what everyone likes to say. There are advantages to BMW engines, Toyota Engines, and Honda engines, but at the end of the day your speed for dollar can hardly be better spent than on an LSX. Cool project, cant wait to see what it lays down with the blower. What cam?

Ian

[E39bmw]

That is awesome, great job.

I don't mean any disrespect, I'm just a complete noob to BMWs (bought my first one last November), but I was wondering why the LS1 seems to be such a popular motor to put in these cars. As far as I know, the Germans make some very nice, and powerful, V8s. I guess they're typically more expensive or more complicated to swap in?

Nevertheless, great build, I'm jealous.

LS1 is small, compact, cheap, POWERFULL and reliable (and also fuel efficient too). The bmw v8 engines such as m62 are hard to build, parts are expansive and they are Pretty much UNTuneable to your specific needs. usually just the computers and wiring (plus programing and coding) for a m62 swap will cost you more money then a ls1 with just 50K miles.

[peakay]

Rao, very nice job - congratulations!

I really like the way you did this with the stock airbox, exhaust, etc. (pre-SC). Heck, I doubt most smog techs would know this wasn't the factory engine (intake manifold looks ver similar), particularly if you fastened the bmw engine cover onto the engine. Wouldn't be too hard -- would just need to mount those steel brackets.

Anwyay, I have a few questions for you relating to smog and chassis:

1) You may not have to worry about this, but in California we have stringent smog checks. Is the OBD2 port functional? Does this pass smog?

2) What year engine did you use? Is there much broken stuff/warning lights related to using the GM ecu?

3) Would it have been any harder to do this starting with a straight 6 6 528 or 530? Was thinking those might be cheaper and also have nicer rack and pinion steering, but maybe the engine compartment is not as accomodating? Then again, I guess that would also throw off the smog techs when they see 8 cylinders instead of 6.

Again, congrats...would love to get more info if you have a minute.

[TitanSilv528]

Awesome dude!!!

Still have the stock exhaust? Does it sounds like the GM's rumbles notes?

[kaboomims]

The swap could get ok'd by CARB IF the engine block, wiring harness, and computer come from a car (not a truck), the same year or newer, obviously remains stock between the MAF and the cats, and retains all the other related smog equipment; evap, diagnostic equipment, etc...

Ian

[rao]

I went to the dyno a few weeks ago - still some work to be done on the tune, but all in all not bad





For the video hounds (no the guy in the car is not me) the car is very quiet until you open it up - [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5XMRH0U-Ek"]YouTube - 2011-04-20 - At the Dyno[/ame]

[Schitzo]

This thing should be awarded E39 sleeper of the year. Any plans to take it down the 1/4?

[crdiscoverer]

Holy crap! That thing was going to take off!!!

[Chigga]

I hate you.