Gertech's '86 325es LSx T56 Swap

[Gertech]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Bret. Almost 3 years ago I bought a well-used '86 325es, and have since completely restored the car and swapped in a Chevy L33 and T56. I want to thank everyone on r3v...I got tons of great information from here to build my car. Here are the specs (scroll down for pics if you'd rather not read):

Drivetrain:

-2005 Chevrolet L33 from a Silverado (the aluminum block H.0. engine) 40k miles. Modified GTO front-sump pan. LS1 intake manifold, LS1 F-Body water pump & accessory drive.
-T56 6-speed trans from a 2004 GT0 with new stock LS1 flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, throwout)
-Sanderson Headers, driver's side heavily modified to properly clear steering shaft
-Full custom exhaust. 2.5" from headers to Y pipe, into 3" cat, 3" back to Pypes M-80 glasspack w/ Pypes 68-69 Chevelle Tip. Sounds wicked!
-MGW 4th gen. Camaro/Trans-am T56 shifter
-Stock 2.93 LSD (Now swapped for 3.25 LSD)

Chassis/Suspension/Steering/Brakes:

-Rides on Ground Control coil conversion. 550 lb front 700 lb rear. with touring camber plates, GC RSMs
-E36 steering rack
-Vorshlag E30 competition steering shaft (for use w/ E36 rack)
-E36 Diff cover with custom dual mounts in floor
-Delrin M3 styleoffset CABs
-Poly trailing arm bushings with weld-in camber adjusters (e30tech)
-New Lemforder control arms, Meyle sway bar end links F&R, Febi tie rods.
-New wheel bearings all 4 corners.
-New stock brakes all around (planning an upgrade soon) Rotors & Pads from Turner, Rebuilt calipers.
-Steel braided line kit from ECS tuning
-Massive booster delete with modified pedal ratio (6.2:1), stock ATE master cylinder.

Wheels & Tires:

-Apex ARC8 17x8 wheels
-215/40/17 Front Yokohama S-Drive (rolled fenders)
-235/40/17 Rear Yokohama S-Drive (rolled fenders)
-Apex 75mm Stud conversion

Interior:

-Fresh crack-free junkyard dash
-Pearl beige vinyl sport seats & back seat (junkyard) (now swapped for the car's original Houndstooth sports and rear seat)
-Houndstooth door cards (original)
-7K tach
-Garagistic ODO gears replace the stock soggy oreos

Body/Exterior:

-All body work/paint performed by me.
-Color is Light Grey Metallic (BMW motorcycle color)
-Plastic bumper conversion
-DIY euro trim
-New OEM front valance, iS lip, fog lights
-88+ rear valance welded in, molded into fender wells
-Euro grills, gloss black kidneys
-Smoked front turn signals
-Depo smoked euro smileys
-New Schwarz OEM iS spoiler
-Shaved side molding
-New OEM iS skirts (thanks Blunt)
-DIY shadowline trim
-New shadowline window locking strips
-New PGW windshield

I'm sure I'm missing some things...I'll add more later. On to the good stuff!!

The day after I bought it (Jan. 2011)

IMG_3798 by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

bmw_fb by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_3809 by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_3805 by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

OK enough of that...Let's get to it!

It's in!


IMG_6224-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6219-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6213-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6211-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6207-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6204-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6183-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6180-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6228-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6236-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

IMG_6238-edit by Bret Gerding, on Flickr

[PCasil]

My gawd..do you have any videos? I'd like to hear how she sounds

[IronFreak]

Very well executed man!

[Farbin Kaiber]

It took a second, but the door trim delete grew on me quickly. Car looks amazing. Nice to see something go from that to THAT!

[eur04lif3]

Nominee for COM feature!

Our of curiosity, what kind of budget should one have to build such a car?

[IronFreak]

It took a second, but the door trim delete grew on me quickly. Car looks amazing. Nice to see something go from that to THAT!

M3ish without the flares.

[IronFreak]

Nominee for COM feature!

Our of curiosity, what kind of budget should one have to build such a car?

North of 10k most likely. That drive train on a good day will probably run you $6k plus.

[AwakenNoMore]

Now I really want to delete my side trim O_O beautiful car. Need video!

[lambo]

What did you do to cover up the front holes in the bumper trim?

[pilotskillse30]

It took a second, but the door trim delete grew on me quickly. Car looks amazing. Nice to see something go from that to THAT!

That's amazing! That door trim delete was executed flawlessly..I love it

[MR 325]

Very well done. I like that you used the 318 rear valance too! I'm not usually a fan of shaved side trim but it looks good on this car! I can definitely appreciate some GM V8 power! I want to do a similar swap in my S10 Xtreme.

My only complaint, don't call it a LSx engine. :D

[randomtask37]

Ballin'!

Bad ass car man

[JCarp90]

That swap is super clean. Good lord. Well done.

[Gertech]

Thanks for the compliments guys! I've busted my ass on this project (way too many hours spent in the garage) so it's nice to hear positive feedback from the e30 community.

To answer a couple of questions:

-No videos yet, but I'll get some and post them here.

-Budget kinda went out the window. I originally planned to spend 10 or less, but I think I'm in the 12-15 range. I haven't added it up...not sure I want to!

-The holes in the bumper trim were fiberglassed on the back side and filled with tiger hair, then regular filler, sanded smooth, primed, painted...

-The rear valance is actually from a 6 cyl car. I "adjusted" the size of the cutout to fit the exhaust tip I used.

-And to Mr. 325, my Dad and I built a '94 S10 back in '07 with an LS1 and T56. It's a super fun truck. DO IT!!

[Thehemiman]

Wow.