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Thread: LS1 E36 power steering question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    '99 M3 LS1; '98 740i

    LS1 E36 power steering question

    Hey guys, I swapped an LS1 in my e36 a few months ago and got it on the track twice before the season ended to test it out. Everything is running very well but the one complaint I have is how "heavy" the steering feels. I'm running the stock LS1 PS pump and E36 rack with ATF. The power steering is working fine but the wheel is heavier than it was with the S52. I read somewhere that the LS1 pump doesn't put out quite as much pressure as the s52 pump and that causes the issue. I was wondering if any other LS guys in here have figured out a way to lighten up the steering? Any help is appreciated.

  2. #2
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    5.0 swap same thing. You have to use BMW ps pump to correct the condition.

  3. #3
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    I was afraid of that. Well, looks like I'll be swapping pumps. Thanks man.

  4. #4
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    Yea you nailed it on the head. There's a pressure difference between the two different pumps.

  5. #5
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    e30 m3, 318is, 88ix

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    1993 318i L33 Swapped
    Dang, well you got the answer at least
    1993 318i L33/T56 Swapped Drift Thingy L33 Blew Up Time For LS2

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Waxhaw, NC
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    189
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    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Same problem here in my 5.0 swap.
    E36 5.0/ turbo
    E36 5.0 W/SC 457HP 449TQ
    E30 5.0 W/SC. Totaled but not forgotten.
    2014 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road 4x4
    2014 Toyota Sienna but it's a XLE bro

  8. #8
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    Lol hope y'all kept the BMW pumps. Just gotta make brackets for them.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    2K M Roady, '86 944T
    I have been told that you can change the pressure on the GM pumps with different orifices, but I have yet to find such information/fittings/etc. I'm sure it's possible though.

    There is always the MR2 electric pumps that have adjustable pressure.

    Rob - 2000 BMW Z3 M Roadster | 1986 Porsche 944 5.3L LM4

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    Arvada, CO
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    LS6 E36 drifter, 18 f350
    Has anyone successfully put the bmw power steering pump on the LS1? My LS1 pump is destroyed anyway so I might as well go this route during my swap to avoid the OP issues.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    1993 318i L33 Swapped
    I have a bmw pump on mine
    Last edited by 4CFEDFD; 02-10-2013 at 03:24 PM.
    1993 318i L33/T56 Swapped Drift Thingy L33 Blew Up Time For LS2

  12. #12
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    Looks simple enough, did you just use the bmw pulley also?

  13. #13
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    How did you slap on the bmw pump?

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  14. #14
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    Brackets, i assume. Doesnt seem hard.

    I suggest the Mr2 pump, ive used it with success on customer cars. That's of course if the BMW pump is a no go. I have an extra pump if you need one, matt.

  15. #15
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    Luckliy the previous owner figured out that problem(bought like 70% swapped had to finish and redo parts), but i had to rig up the lines still need to have legit ones made all in time i guess lol. Pretty sure its the stock pulley it also has a custom idler pulley.
    Last edited by 4CFEDFD; 02-11-2013 at 05:03 PM.
    1993 318i L33/T56 Swapped Drift Thingy L33 Blew Up Time For LS2

  16. #16
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    I'm gonna resurrect this because I'll need to do it soon. I understand it's simple enough to rig up brackets to physically mount the PS pump. What I'm NOT getting is how to make up for the difference in pulley ratios. I mean I suppose the pulley between an LS and BMW can't be THAT different and a few rpms difference won't push the pump THAT far out of its efficiency range... But that feels like a hack to me.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  17. #17
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    99 328i, a few more
    Jeepster did it and it works great, I used the GM pump and it works like poop. There's a huge difference in output pressures between the LS pump and the BMW rack. I'm going electric to get away from it.

  18. #18
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    I did the bmw pump on ls also, it works rad, or worked, till my mystery mileage pump shit the bed. Doing another bracket for the new car we are building, so Maybe I’ll keep the template around this time

  19. #19
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    So what did you do other than brackets? I think they are the same rib count. Is it really just as easy as making brackets?

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  20. #20
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    Yeah it’s that easy. I also converted all the fittings in the pump/ rack to an to get away from the stock e36 leaky lines but I’m pretty sure you can use the stock lines if you try hard enough but I didn’t go that route. Stock pump, stock reservoir, stock rack, steering feels perfectly normal, unlike my friends ls skyline with camaro pump and it was awfully light (overpressure)

  21. #21
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    Nice. I like simple.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

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