Hi All,
I wanted to start this thread in order to document my process of converting my track 1999 E36 M3 from S52 to an LS1 with T56. Ive been slacking on starting it for the past 4 years or so, especially since my S52 has held up on the road course without any issues so far (230K miles). Im not a pro at this by any means and I will not be able to create such exceptionally detailed threads like some of you do. But, if at least one user can get even a single valuable piece of info from my experience that is enough for me. Second reason is to possibly get some advice from the guys who have accomplished this swap already.
I do want to say Thank You to all the contributors to this forum. Without Bimmerforums members help I would have never dared to take on a project like this.
Having said that, if you see that I am doing something wrong - don’t hesitate to let me know.
My overall goals:
E36 M3 is a dedicated track car. HPDE and Time Trial. No plans to race so far. Just a fun weekend hobby. I do love the E36 platform and do like the idea of an American V8. So combining the two in a fun weekend toy project seems like cool thing to do. For me at least. I am sure not everyone shares the same views.
Car
- 1999 E36 M3
Install Kit
- CX Racing full install kit - Ive changed the bushings in the motor mounts to Energy Suspension (per another forum member recommendation) - bulk-2008 model
Wiring
- Wiring Specialties harness
Drivetrain
- T56 transmission
- Remote bleeder setup
- LS7 Clutch
- Coleman Racing aluminum driveshaft - length 44.5in, diameter - 3in
- JTR differential adapter, T56 yoke
- 3.91 differential
Engine
- 2001 Corvette LS1 - purchased with a broken valve spring on cylinder #7
- LS6 intake manifold
- No A/C
- Prior built list - by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (30K miles ago)
- GM LS1 block 3.900” bore
- Water jacket plugs, oil galley & cam bearings
- Manley forged aluminum pistons - coated
- Manley moly file fit rings - 1.5mm, 1.5mm, 3.0mm
- GM LS1 Crankshaft
- Speed Pro heavy duty rod bearings
- Speed Pro heavy duty main bearings
Options:- Comp Cams camshaft - 224/224 .581/.581 114 (print on cam 3722R-3722R - R114)
- Cloyes IRL
- Poly Dyne bearing coating rod & main
- Lingenfelter LS1 modified GM Oil pump deburred to improve flow
Subject
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Last edited by bmwvsevo; 04-06-2020 at 01:14 PM.
Looking forward to your build!
Diving in at the shallow end!
I have been working on compiling the parts list. I have ordered most and the parts are slowly trickling in.
If anyone sees something major that I am missing, please let me know
Parts Part number Vendor Valley cover (LS6) 12577927 Summit Valley cover PCV hose 12594779 Summit Valley cover grommet plug 12568011 Summit Tensioner and pulley ADO-12560344 Summit Valve springs TFS-2500286P Summit Valve springs removal tool TFS-90306 Summit Valve cover gaskets (2) 50504r Summit Push rods CCA-7955-1 Summit Coil packs ADO-D580 Summit coil brackets, ICT 551642 Summit Water pump ADO-252-846 Summit MAF 19330121 Summit Truck MAF harness 108100 Summit Head Gasket NAL-12498544 Summit Head bolts - ARP ARP-134-3609 Summit Thermostat (160*) LPE-L310015204 Summit Starter 829200 Summit Throttle cable TC-1000LS1U Summit Knock sensors 12589867 Summit Knock sensors wiring harness 917033 Summit ACDelco Pilot bearing ADO-CT1078 Summit Intake manifold gasket FEL-MS92438 Summit Fuel Filter/Reg - Corvette C5 SUM-230150 Summit Driveshaft 44.5 in long 16621 Coleman SPICER 2-3-6081X 2-3-6081X Summit JTR flange adapter JTR Clutch kit - LS7 LUK-04-216 Summit LS7 Flywheel LUK-LFW191 Summit Flywheel bolts ARP-330-2802 Summit PP bolts ARP-134-2201 Summit Oil dipstick and tube LOK-ED-5008 Summit Improved Racing baffle Imp Racing Oil pan Bolts ARP-134-6901 Summit Oil pump. Road racing spec MEL-10296 Summit Oil Pan gasket MAH-OS32241 Summit intake tube 4in in and out 9781 Summit Power Steering pump and pulley LS1FP Turnone Harmonic balancer bolt Amazon F body windage tray Ebay Front timing cover kit FelPro FEL-TCS45993 Summit Rear engine cover and main seal Ebay Remote bleeder kit HRE-8287 Summit Bleeder adapter AFC-7010-0007 Summit GM Performance Crankshaft bolt 12557840 Amazon
Forgot to include initially:
Camaro PCM with vats delete and start up tune that I forgot to mention in post #2
F-Body accessories - alternator, tensioner pulley, Harmonic balancer - Auto Specialties Performance part # 948500. Slightly used
F-Body oil pan with pick up tube
Last edited by bmwvsevo; 03-24-2020 at 04:37 PM.
What valve springs broke looks like a single?
If stock I'm not surprised they broke, I'm more so surprised whoever did all that work and did a cam on a stock valve spring, not to mention it looks like its on some baller Jesel rockers.
Hopefully no further damage with the valve dropping.
And for future I'd go with a BTR .660" Platinum Dual Spring kit over the trick flows.
IG @Bsaintmedia | Cammed LS6 Swapped E36 M3 "The GMW M3"
A single valve spring broke. I am not sure if they are stock or not since this is the first LS engine I am ever looking at and not sure how to determine. Based on Summit's recommendation (my tuner also had stated that these are good for my setup) I went with - Trick Flow® Double Platinum .660 LS Dual Valve Spring and Retainer Kits TFS-2500286P. But thanks for recommendation. If you feel there is a concrete reason to switch, please let me know. Thanks for the input
And yes, JESEL rockers - JESEL STN-SS 2030. Apparently they are good.
Thanks - fun and expensive project indeed
Good notice on the missing parts - I did leave few out of the list:
Camaro PCM with vats delete and start up tune that I forgot to mention in post #2
F-Body accessories - alternator, tensioner pulley, Harmonic balancer - Auto Specialties Performance part # 948500. Slightly used
F-Body oil pan with pick up tube
And yes, CX Racing kit that I have does include the headers. We will see how much pain will they be to install
Last edited by bmwvsevo; 03-24-2020 at 04:37 PM.
IG @Bsaintmedia | Cammed LS6 Swapped E36 M3 "The GMW M3"
It is worth it to measure the pushrod length before installing to ensure you pick the right length rods. It is a pain to find out they are not right after everything is together.
1999 E36 M3 Cosmo/Sand Beige LS1 swap
2022 G42 230i Thundernight/Tacora
Don’t forget new Oil pick up tube O-ring and exhaust manifold MLS gaskets. Also since you are replacing valve springs, you might as well replace valve seals. I didn’t see these items on your list.
- 96 328is 6.0L. (LS1 to LS2 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ad.php?2098938)
- 96 328is 5.7L. (LS1 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1289987)
- 95 ///M3 6.0L. (LS2 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1619249)
- 97 ///M3. (e46 Fender Flares/track car build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1727098)
- 96 328is (Dual Fuel Pump to Surge Tank thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?1964025)
I will check if CX Racing did include exhaust manifold gaskets to make sure. Good point on valve seals. Rear engine cover gasket set does include the new Oil pickup tube o-ring. So I should be good there. Now a question is - do I need the bracket for oil pickup tube?
2020-03-25_09-06-24 by Glen Babakhin, on Flickr
IG @Bsaintmedia | Cammed LS6 Swapped E36 M3 "The GMW M3"
I don’t see a reason for oil pickup tube bracket. Useless part.
- 96 328is 6.0L. (LS1 to LS2 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ad.php?2098938)
- 96 328is 5.7L. (LS1 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1289987)
- 95 ///M3 6.0L. (LS2 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1619249)
- 97 ///M3. (e46 Fender Flares/track car build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1727098)
- 96 328is (Dual Fuel Pump to Surge Tank thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?1964025)
So it begins. I started taking apart the engine. My original plan was to not take the heads off but do a leak down test and see if all holds up but I changed my mind and will be taking the heads off.
For now, took the valley cover off, front timing cover, oil pump, and rear cover. And started to take the rockers, brackets, and push rods off. JESEL rocker brackets did require a thin wall 13mm socket that I didnt have so I had to order it through Amazon.
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What does everyone think of this damage on the rocker? Bearing seems to be ok. Do I 100% replace or possibly leave alone? Ive never dealt with the valvetrain myself therefore asking for an advice. I will also email JESEL with pics
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Last edited by bmwvsevo; 03-25-2020 at 04:03 PM.
IG @Bsaintmedia | Cammed LS6 Swapped E36 M3 "The GMW M3"
So i decided to take the heads off today. Bad news. Bent exhaust valve on cyl #7.
Few questions now:
Is it ok to leave the piston alone after the clean up? Info that I get is that its ok as long as there are no raised/sharp edges/chunks or cracks
Anything else I need to do to the bottom end? I wanted to clean the carbon off and leave as is.
I will take the heads to the machine shop. What is the total scope of work there? New valve and valve seal or is there more to it?
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Pretty much what I expected to see.
It's hard for me to tell, but the sleeve doesn't look "that bad" The piston looks fine besides the carbon build up, I doubt the rod is bent. If it was my car I would clean it up and put it back together, but being as you are at this point and its not in the car yet I would send it out get it honed new rings etc. But for sure take it to a machine shop and get a better opinion for a few hundred bucks its worth having it refreshed have them look at the cam bearings etc as well.
IG @Bsaintmedia | Cammed LS6 Swapped E36 M3 "The GMW M3"
Understood. Thanks Steve. I might just take it to a machine shop to get inspected. That is whenever one opens up around here (all that shut down stuff).
On another note, what do you clean the carbon off pistons with? I read about everything from WD40, to Mopar carbon removal, to acetone, etc
I'd think you would be extremely lucky if all it was is a bent valve.
Rings and bearings for sure at this point...along with the inspection. Would hate to see the first time it hits 6500 rpm and the piston lets go and takes the entire engine out. (I have run an engine with a bent rod (forged)...no ill effects except lower compression on that cylinder - no I was not aware!).
- 96 328is 6.0L. (LS1 to LS2 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ad.php?2098938)
- 96 328is 5.7L. (LS1 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1289987)
- 95 ///M3 6.0L. (LS2 build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1619249)
- 97 ///M3. (e46 Fender Flares/track car build thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1727098)
- 96 328is (Dual Fuel Pump to Surge Tank thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?1964025)
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