[woodga16]

I've had a LS1 and tranny laying around my garage for a year now and got to thinking today. If I ever blow the turbos or anything high end(I'm out of warranty)why not just drop the LS1 in there. Yes, it would be different and most people would not approve. I think it would be great. Reliable and great potential for high power with a great handling chassis. I can fab some headers up no problem. I don't think it would be too hard. I was going to put the LS1 in a '67 camaro, but ended up selling the chassis. Maybe a LS1 335i project for me this winter...just thought I'd share my plans/thoughts. I also have a set of LS2 heads and roller cams to put in it.

[dzenno]

cool do it!

[Slow_335i]

If you do it please post a build thread!

[Mahhvinn]

Originally Posted by Slow_335i

If you do it please post a build thread!

serious!

[Javier]

Originally Posted by Slow_335i

If you do it please post a build thread!

A very detailed build thread. With lots of photos.

I'd like to see this

[Dr. G]

Originally Posted by Javier

A very detailed build thread. With lots of photos.

I'd like to see this

HELLS YEAHH

[Sigma 3]

Originally Posted by woodga16

I've had a LS1 and tranny laying around my garage for a year now and got to thinking today. If I ever blow the turbos or anything high end(I'm out of warranty)why not just drop the LS1 in there. Yes, it would be different and most people would not approve. I think it would be great. Reliable and great potential for high power with a great handling chassis. I can fab some headers up no problem. I don't think it would be too hard. I was going to put the LS1 in a '67 camaro, but ended up selling the chassis. Maybe a LS1 335i project for me this winter...just thought I'd share my plans/thoughts. I also have a set of LS2 heads and roller cams to put in it.

Cool! but it wont be complete until you hang a pair of gt series turbos of those headers you plan on making.

[kdiggz]

you sound like my friend. his dad has some blower race engine that he has had for 20 years. bought it cheap at an auction and never did anything with it. gave it to my friend (his son). he tells me he's going to put it in this car and that but he never has and never will. i think you rednecks just like to have an extra engine sitting around so you can tell people how fast your car could be once you put it in there

[fl335i]

LS1 is kind of outdated now. I think GM is up to LS6's now right? What are they putting in the new Camaro and Vettes? The LS1 is where I left off in the drag racing world almost a decade ago. Granted the LS1 is awsome, but it had some issues. For whatever reason it liked to blow head gaskets, the rocker arms were always out of adjustment and ticked. I say go with a newer LS motor and tranny.

[vasillalov]

I don't think that this is a good idea if you want to have the car as a DD. Here is why:

1. It is illegal to put an older engine into a newer chassis. You can however put a newer engine in an older car. It has to do with emissions. Not a single state will allow you to register a BMW 335 with an old LS1 engine for street use.

2. The BMW on board electronics are extremely complicated. If you put an LS1 in there, you will need to remove the BMW ECU, at which point the entire CAN bus will not function. Chances are, you will have to rewire every single electrical component.

The way I see it, the only way to put an LS1 into the body of your E90 is if you are creating a dedicated track car and you gut the entire chassis.

P.S.:
It would be MUCH MUCH easier to put the V8 from an E90 M3 in there instead. I am pretty sure you can find them at junkyards.

[kdiggz]

well he already has this engine laying around. best bet is to get a rx-7 with engine problems for cheap, sell the rotary engine for parts and drop in the ls1, and then weeeeee! tons of people have done that swap so there is a lot of documentation on it to make it an easy install

[mmmmQuattro]

I wouldn't do it.
Put the LS1 to better use...
I have driven cars with LS1's in them and while they can be tuned to be fast, they aren't as smooth as the BMW motor. Totally transforms the car.
The wall of torque with no lag is great though.
I would sell the 335 and put the LS1 in a car which is slower to start off with.
67 camaro would have been awesome.

[TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management]

I have a better idea, I have a 1987 porsche 924s FOR SALE that has been converted to a Carrera Gt(wide body), the car is all 944 turbo in the engine trans suspension brakes etc. It has also been completely modernized in the interior. It's a really awesome car setup for the track AND there are kits that will allow you to directly drop the ls1 in there and go!

[richb811]

Originally Posted by fl335i

LS1 is kind of outdated now. I think GM is up to LS6's now right? What are they putting in the new Camaro and Vettes? The LS1 is where I left off in the drag racing world almost a decade ago. Granted the LS1 is awsome, but it had some issues. For whatever reason it liked to blow head gaskets, the rocker arms were always out of adjustment and ticked. I say go with a newer LS motor and tranny.

The LS6 is an LS1 with different heads and headers. The LS6 was designed for use in the Z06 corvette. Both are Gen3 GM motors

The GenIV architecture is what GM is currently using. The LS3 is a 6.3 liter with 430hp and is the base engine for Corvettes. LS7 is the current Z06 block which is based upon the GenIV, but slightly different. It is a 7.0 Liter Small block

The LS9 is the supercharged 6.2l GenIV V8 found in the ZR1 with 638hp and 604lb-ft TQ. The block is also used in the CTS-V as a LSA, but it has a slightly smaller supercharger (1.9l vs 2.3l) and dual intercoolers. It gives off a little less power (556hp)

That being said, an LS1 can easily be turned into an LS6.



I'd love to see the build!

[woodga16]

I'm collaborating a parts list now. I'll post a pic of the motor later. Doesn't look good the way it sits.

So I'm a redneck because I have a motor laying around my shop?

Anyways, I already have new heads, cams, and tranny. I know for a fact this would be a LEGAL daily driver. My buddy and I have done many conversions...older motor in newer chassis and not one problem thus far.

For the parts I have, given everything works correctly, it would put down roughly higher 400s. So far counting paying labor for my buddies help. I'm looking at 4500 including what I payed for the motor, tranny, etc four years ago. I'll keep you guys posted. Were getting as much planning as we can done now while we don't have any other projects on our plate.

Yes, the hardest part will be figuring out how to work around the current ecu setup. I already know how were going to run the LS's my ideal car is a America motor in a German chassis.

[Forcefed3]

Originally Posted by kdiggz

you sound like my friend. his dad has some blower race engine that he has had for 20 years. bought it cheap at an auction and never did anything with it. gave it to my friend (his son). he tells me he's going to put it in this car and that but he never has and never will. i think you rednecks just like to have an extra engine sitting around so you can tell people how fast your car could be once you put it in there

Go back to the evo forums.

[Bme30]

bet you won't!

[kdiggz]

Originally Posted by woodga16

So I'm a redneck because I have a motor laying around my shop?

I use that as a term of endearment with my buddy. Sorry if you took offense to it. I guess you didn't find the humor in it. Sounds like you are very serious about this project so good luck to you

[kdiggz]

Originally Posted by Forcefed3

Go back to the evo forums.

It was a joke
Sorry, I didn't realize everyone was being so super serious today

[woodga16]

I didn't take it serious...hard to read emotion through text. You could consider my buddy a redneck. He has three grand nationals all making over 800+ two are apart but one is fully running. I wish you guys could see his shop..67 camaro, 70 chevelle, 04 cobra, 3 grand nationals, and a 07 silverado that he's turning into a trophy truck daily driver. All but the silverado is apart...he tends to start a project and get distrcted ha.

[mikeith]

reasons not to do it.
1- its outdated(gm is at ls3+ now with ALOT better internals and build quality for a couple grand more than your motor is worth.
2- i'm not sure how BMW's wiring harness is but i know its EXTREMELY complicated and you would have to get TONS of custom work to make it SEMI work with your cluster and other stuff
3- MOST pioneers that do "the first" lsx swap into any car end up spending $10k+ just to make it work(not including your motor) looking at wiring, fabwork, fuel system, custom driveshaft, r&d for cooling stuff, and other work to make the tranny work depending on auto/manual

these are just some of the speed bumps. i just have seen alot of lsx builds and it is alot more work than it sounds, compared to the benefit you get in the end. if you want to do it i think its great and would love to see one, but do yourself a favor, sell the ls1 and at least put the money towards an LS3(which will also keep you legal) just be prepared to spend ALOT to make it work.

fwiw, i would stick with the N54 and get upgraded turbos and keep praying that someone will come out with upgraded fuel components.

another option would be to find a good deal on an e30 and do the swap, or even better an old 2002(imagine the hp to weight ratio!!!)

[kdiggz]

Originally Posted by woodga16

I didn't take it serious...hard to read emotion through text. You could consider my buddy a redneck. He has three grand nationals all making over 800+ two are apart but one is fully running. I wish you guys could see his shop..67 camaro, 70 chevelle, 04 cobra, 3 grand nationals, and a 07 silverado that he's turning into a trophy truck daily driver. All but the silverado is apart...he tends to start a project and get distrcted ha.

nope, that sounds pretty top notch! post a pic of that shop. sounds sweet!

a redneck would be like my friend who has 3-4 cars sitting on his property that don't work and car parts all over the place. he likes to take on a bunch of projects at once and then never see them through haha. sounds nothing like your friend! this is all starting to sound pretty legit