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Thread: E46 LS almost complete

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    e36

    E46 LS almost complete

    Finishing up customer conversion project
    E46 LSx (L76 6.0L)
    Sub-frame reinforced front and rear
    M3 rear assembly
    6 speed GM auto transmission (6L80E)
    Fluidyne transmission cooler
    BMW AC compressor
    BMW PS pump
    BMW performance radiator
    GM cooling fan
    SS headers and exhaust
    Interior stock BMW including transmission selector
    BMW tach and temp working
    Ground control with Koni double adjustable shocks front and rear
    Wilwood 6 piston calipers and hat mounted rotors for the front brakes
    Few details to finish - paddle shifter, cruise control?
    Very nice drive.

    Greg and David
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by dlong82; 09-02-2014 at 07:55 PM. Reason: corrections

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    04 M3, 02 E39, 01 46 M3T
    Hi, David !!!

    FWIW folks, I have sort of been watching this project. This is NOT your average LS conversion. And the first time someone nails the long pedal (NO pun intended !!) the may be a climate shift. Why? The Earth's axis will shift a bit.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Arlington VA
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    E30 M3
    Stock 6.0L?
    Those Who Stay Will Be Champions

  4. #4
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    04 M3, 02 E39, 01 46 M3T
    Err ....... apparently not.

  5. #5
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    GoBlue:
    No, not stock. The customer took the LS6 we removed from his donor GTO to a shop that has done LSx work for him. If I remember correctly, the heads (to a fresh pair) and cam (mild) were changed. Also, the cylinder deactivation system was removed. If you would like more details on the engine changes, I can ask the customer.
    Corrections: donor was G8 GT with L76.
    Last edited by dlong82; 09-01-2014 at 12:27 PM.

  6. #6
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    E53, E90, Triumph GT6
    Congrats. Would be intresting to have more details on what you did for the swap. Kit, custom etc.....

  7. #7
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    Feb 2014
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    e36
    Thaniel:
    We have read most all your post - may times, thank you.
    There is much more detail on the build at
    http://www.santafegarage.com/home/photo-gallery/
    I am more the fabricator. My partner, Greg, tells me what he needs and make the part.
    Greg has been doing most of the electrical and can give you details on how we wired the car.
    Our general approach was to try to keep anything that was BMW, BMW. That is, we mounted the BMW AC compressor, BMW PS pump, BMW heater control on the LS engine. We kept the DME alive and running what it could - ABS, gauges, etc.
    Even though running and driving, still have a few details to work out. I am sure Greg or I will send you a few questions.
    But, driving and riding in the car is great. Drives like an M3 with serious power. That is coming from someone (me) who's last BMW was a 1M.
    David

  8. #8
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    Thaniel:
    We have read your post, often; thank you very much.
    Our general approach was to leave the DME active and let it run what it could - AC, ABS, gauges,...
    Greg my partner is the project manager and does the electrical. I focus on the fabrication.
    There is more detail on the project at http://www.santafegarage.com/home/photo-gallery/
    We still have a few issues.
    - AC working but heater hot (blend door oor heat valve not shutting off)
    - steering wheel paddle shifter (customer requires hand controls for brake and throttle)
    - cruise control
    The car is a great drive. M3 handling with torque. It is 87lbs heavier, 50lbs do to transmission.

  9. #9
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    Great work. Unusual to keep the PS and AC from the BMW. But it definately works.

    This is my favorite pic from your site http://www.santafegarage.com/wp-cont...ub-frame-7.jpg

    You might have seen this already but the default position for the heater valve is open (hot). So if it's not getting a signal it'll be hot. Is your temp needle reading normal? If it thinks the car is overheating it may set the heater to full hot.


    Quote Originally Posted by dlong82 View Post
    Thaniel:
    We have read your post, often; thank you very much.
    Aww thanks. :-)

    Thaniel
    Last edited by Thaniel; 09-05-2014 at 01:37 PM.

  10. #10
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    e36

    Hot and Cold

    You might have seen this already but the default position for the heater valve is open (hot). So if it's not getting a signal it'll be hot. Is your temp needle reading normal? If it thinks the car is overheating it may set the heater to full hot.



    Aww thanks. :-)

    Thaniel
    BMW temp gauge working - checked it against ECU with HPtuner. Heater valve problem was the electrical connection to the valve. AC and heater now working fine with BMW dash controls. Car going to the dyno soon. Will post results.
    Thank you for the compliment and pic post.
    David and Greg

  11. #11
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    M3 paddle shifter steering wheel

    Tap shift for the 6L80E working. Toggle switch at console with high/low resistors. Changing clock spring and installing M3 paddle shift steering wheel. We will see how that goes.

    Pictures added.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by dlong82; 11-19-2014 at 06:02 PM. Reason: Added pictures

  12. #12
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    Paddle shifter working for the 6L80E transmission!

    So far Tach (ecu direct to DME), A/C and heater controls, ABS, speedo and temp gauge.
    Now for the cruise control. May have to do some research on the Thaniel threads.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  13. #13
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    2002 BMW 330Ci
    Quote Originally Posted by dlong82 View Post
    Paddle shifter working for the 6L80E transmission!

    So far Tach (ecu direct to DME), A/C and heater controls, ABS, speedo and temp gauge.
    Now for the cruise control. May have to do some research on the Thaniel threads.

    Nice, Im thinking ofdoing something similar, I'd be interested in some direction on how to get this working.

  14. #14
    Join Date
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    LS e39, LT e53
    Quote Originally Posted by Thaniel View Post
    You might have seen this already but the default position for the heater valve is open (hot). So if it's not getting a signal it'll be hot. Is your temp needle reading normal? If it thinks the car is overheating it may set the heater to full hot.



    Aww thanks. :-)

    Thaniel
    yep, my 528i ls swap dash gauge and aftermarket gauge goes to HOT when sitting at a light in summer heat with a/c on or off... put the passenger side temp setting to hot to allow flow of the heater core circuit of the water pump. Instantly starts cooling down.
    not sure of a nice clean workaround.
    clint
    2006 X5 L83 5.3 6l80 swapped in progress
    1999 528i 5.7L 4l60e swapped w/ 31 spline 8.8 cobra diff
    2007 ZX-10r - sold
    1987 R-10 SWB L83 5.3L 6L80e swapped

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
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    330i ZHP, 325i, MR2 V6,
    OMG. This is exactly what I've been planning! My shell is a 2000 323iT wagon. It needs a trans and my other 325i needs a motor
    Enter the G8. Also the SS should work. I am a BMW tech of 14 yrs. I'm a wiring specialist and I've already competed a V6 swap in my 1992 MR2. I will see what I can figure out with your issues. I'll definitely check out the build.

    Andrew

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Houston
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    My Cars
    LS e39, LT e53
    Stock GM 6l80e or the 6x aftermarket trans.
    2006 X5 L83 5.3 6l80 swapped in progress
    1999 528i 5.7L 4l60e swapped w/ 31 spline 8.8 cobra diff
    2007 ZX-10r - sold
    1987 R-10 SWB L83 5.3L 6L80e swapped

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
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    330i ZHP, 325i, MR2 V6,
    I'm going to keep everything stock. I'm not making a power wagon, just a nice car for me to drive as a daily. I've worked on E46 BMWs for a decade and a half, and I know them better than any other car ever made. I've also spent a dud decade working on GM V8s. It just makes sense to me.
    I want an automatic for daily driving. I've only had manuals from my second car on and I'm ready to shift when I want to, not everyday on the way to work.


    Sent from my KB2007 using Tapatalk

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