RedBeard's ///GM Project

[RedBeard]

Traded some kid a Suzuki Katana 750 for this beautiful 1986 BMW 325e - 2.7L inline 6 and a 5 speed.

That kit had abused the car - I'd seen it painted desert camo at one time. He'd also cut the exhaust off, painted the headlights and other assorted stupid things. I've been a huge E30 fan since I can remember, so stupid mods to a dream car makes me cringe. He got it painted back the original color, Delphin Grey...now I wanted the car.

At the time, I didn't have money - but I did have a motorcycle . I'd much rather have an E30 than my bike, so I offered a trade. He agreed and we swapped titles. The day I got it...

I drove it around for a while - it actually ran decent after belonging to that moron. It needed a new shifter and bushings (he used a hacksaw to "shorten" the shifter and used JB Weld to hold on the knob :th_eyepopping, new vacuum hoses and a tune up - but it ran good otherwise. The E30 is light and in stock form has almost a 50/50 weight distribution. I decided one day randomly to start the project of my dreams, and thus the slow build process began...
Ready to remove the heart...

Guinness is always a good bargaining item with friends...

Check out how that guy lowered the car...that's right ladies and gentleman, cut springs that could just pull out out when I lifted the rear of the car.

But what engine will I replace the 2.7 with? A 5.3L Chevy of course :th_winking:. Picked this up, a running engine with only 100K miles out of a 2001 Silverado...

That huge truck intake will never fit under the E30 hood. A LS1 IM should take care of that...

FREE Z06 cam (spare parts lying around some guys garage that are no longer needed is good for me )...

Needs a GTO front sump oil pan for fitment (will still need to be altered)...

Can't forget the wiring harness (already have an ECU)...

Now for the icing, a Holset H1C off a Cummins. Once the engine is in a in good, bug free, running condition I will be installing this beauty. Holsets build full boost at a very low RPM. The 5.3's respond to boost VERY well.

I also picked up a Garrett off a Duramax, but decided the Holset would be better for me. I ended up trading this for some gun gear. Pics of it anyways...

Now of course there are other random parts I have. These are just the "fun" pictures.

For your viewing pleasure - a few other turbo 5.3's tearing up the drag strip...
AWD van v.s. ZR1 Vette :th_laugh-lol3: - Turbo Van Kills ZR1 - YouTube
Fairmont - Worlds quickest STOCK LS based Motor - YouTube
RX7 - junkyard 5.3 turbo rx7 track passes - YouTube


I'm just accumulating parts right now to finish it. Not in a hurry, this is a toy and will be an ongoing project for a while. Been fiddling with it for about 2.5-3 years now . I've had TONS of people want to buy it from me, saying I'll never finish it anyways and they want it. I just laugh and tell them I have a life and financial responsibilities outside this project...then kindly ask them to remove themselves from my property :th_winking:. Figured I'd share my baby with you guys.

 

[xxpappas13xx]

Looks like a sweet project! I cant wait to see it run!

 

[TLSheff]

Not gonna lie... if you do this...

You get major points with us. Grand Prix or not, that is SEEEEEEEEEX!!!

*Subbed for the Awesomeness*

 

[coolone]

That's a hot build... Crazy!!!

 

[RedBeard]

Well it's being done . I'm currently in the process of getting the oil pan altered (or finding a quality shop to do it as it's cast aluminum). Finding one around here is harder than I expected it to be. I'm probably going to end up taking it to the local tech college as I know the welding teacher there - he will charge allot, but is my best bet (and you get what you pay for). I then still need to acquire a transmission (probably a simple 350 turbo or 700r4 for now) and modify the drive shaft (fairly cheap and easy). And of course there is the simple issue of motor and trans mounts - then there is wiring (not as hard as lots of people make it out to be). The safety items still need done as well - like the brakes and suspension. I also still need a fuel cell.

So there is still plenty of work to do (even more so than I just said), BUT it is being done for sure - eventually . Yes I agree, E30's are pure sex :th_winking:. I also like the guys who have swapped RB26's and SR20's (sucky sound tho - 4 bangers sound crappy) in their E30's. But by far my favorite swap is the S50 swap - but that requires a LARGE wallet.

 

[twol8uluz]

Subd

 

[DanPrixGTP]

Im in for this build

Awesome

 

[LowRidinCrew]

Big ass project sir. You cleaning up the engine bay or just want to get it working

 

[98buicksupercharged]

you should clean it

 

[RedBeard]

Big ass project sir. You cleaning up the engine bay or just want to get it working

It will be clean. There is no reason or excuse for it not to be. You don't do a build of this caliber (and expectation) without having enough respect for yourself and the car to make it as clean as possible . But I will say this...it's a VERY tight fit. There will not be much to see other than some of the inner fender wells and engine . The only thing that will not look "clean" is how the 5.3 harness is initially routed. There is a nice clump of wiring that is typically covered by the truck intake cover. But being that the swap is utilizing an LS1 IM, the wiring will be exposed. Everything else will be tucked away fairly nicely.

Here is a pic of a completed 5.3 swap. This is not tucked very well - there is allot in the open that could have easy been tucked away. The fender wells are not car color (tacky IMO) and they did not insulate the firewall. However, this swap is done as I will be doing mine...notice the truck fuse box in the lower left corner of the pic. Also take notice to the missing brake booster and minimal clearance between the TB and radiator. Brake booster issue is not an issue at all - was just pointing that out. But clearance is an issue - especially with my plans to turbo charge. It will be something I work out. Anyways - to the pic...

 

[twol8uluz]

So headers are out of the question? Looks crazy tight, i wouldnt do a build like that only out of fear id EVER have to work on it again! Lol but good luck bud.......better you than me!

 

[TLSheff]

I have 3 friends doing 5.3L swaps like this, 1 went into a 240sx and he used a turbo 350, now swapping to a 4L60E.
1 is going into a Caprice Wagon with a 700R4, unless we can get him to use a 4L60e
last is using a 81 TransAm and dropping in a 4L60E with it.

The turbo350 and 700R4 are nice because they are all mechanical, but the T350 is likely to have problems like my buddy with the 240 did and you will end up wishing you just bit the bullet and got a 4L60E. Considering the harness won't be much more to have to run, the ECU can easily be programmed to run with it, and it such a better tranny, I would really suggest you look into it. All 3 friends picked up used ones with low miles for less than $600, they are just SOOOO common. Do it. Do it now!

Not sure if you will be able to see, but he has several pics during the install in the 240.
http://www.facebook.com/michael.spiva.9/photos_stream

He has the front end back on it, but body is all stock looking, just tinted the tails, lowered, clean wheels, and added 4 cylinders lol

 

[RedBeard]

I LOVE the 5.3 swaps in the 240's. Props to your buddy for keeping it stock - they are good looking cars out the box and don't need anything to make them look good (beyond wheels ). I've thought about the 4L60's, it's just the T350's and 700R4's are more common and cheaper around here...I'm not keen on buying anything online like this unless it's a last resort. I like to have somewhere I can personally go back to if there are any problems. The 4L60's cost about $700-$900 (rebuilt depending on the shop) and the others are $500 around here. I guess I will make my decision more concrete when I get closer to needing one - it's all up in the air right now .

Yeah, it'll be tight - but I don't think it will pose too big of a problem. The biggest problem I will have is turbo fitment when the time comes - more than likely I will have to resort to a remote mount. Not really worried on it being a ***** to work on - what isn't anymore these days ? Ever worked on a Z32? All I can say is wow. Those cars are ridiculously tight. Anyways - I'm sure I will break it many times when it's done, so I'll have plenty of practice working on it and dealing with confined spaces :th_laugh-lol2:.