My '90 325is LS3 Swap Build Thread

[CLM21]

Welp, finally got back from out of town. Finally have the car, planning on pulling out most of the suspension today and next weekend. Maybe Ill be able to get some pictures up. Still havent ordered the coilovers yet... hopefully Ill be able to do that this week and then start the install within the next 2 weekends.

[Q8y_drifter]

Subbed!

I have an RB25DET swapped E30 myself. Thinking of switching over to an LS1.

[TeXJ]

glad I sub'd!

[CLM21]

:) Now that will be a fun motor!

Thats the plan!

[Ryan1212]

:) Now that will be a fun motor!

[CLM21]

Well, finally worked out a deal on a '90 e30 325i. Unfortunately, not picking it up until next Tuesday and then I am going away for a week so there probably wont be any progress for a full 2 weeks. However, I do already have control arms/bushings, tie rods, sway bars, diff bushings, subframe bushings, rear trailing arm bushings, etc... on order. Planning on picking up some coilovers next week and then doing all this stuff at once when I can get at the car - probably 2 or 3 weekends from now.

Still waiting on the LS3 core, no idea when that will be showing up. Once I get the shortblock assembled, will be picking up some trickflow 255s, custom grind cam, and a fast intake manifold. I am assuming this progress wont be for 3-4ish months down the road. Shortblock won't take too long, but plan on getting all the other supporting stuff done before I actually swap the motors.

Can't wait to finally get my hands on the chassis so I can actually get some work done....

[Ryan1212]

Our LS1-E30 cost us around $8k, which included engine & tranny, new brakes, springs, shocks, steering rack, etc etc, welder, tools. If you are in for 14-15, you must be doing lots of stuff that is "icing on the cake".

I will admit for sure I have done some stuff that doesn't NEED to be done for just a budget swap, but my car will be track only, so I have done some other parts and accessories that work for my situation.

My point overall, is that if you want to do it for as cheap as possible, you need to plan way ahead and keep to it, because as soon as you pick one better part or an upgrade, the budget goes flying out the window.

[garretvs]

TeXJ, I don't think the words "LS1 swap" and "Budget" go along together very well lol

I am currently in the middle of doing the swap, got my motor/tranny/harness from a wrecked 99 trans am, and using Garret's kit.

As my project sits, I am looking at about 14-15k to complete it with what I want to do to it and have done to it, keeping the motor stock with the exception of the headers (and ripped every bit of emissions control off the motor).

From what I have learned from projects like these, come up with a reasonable price you think, then double it. I was thinking about 7k in the beginning, and will be right around 14-15 when done.

CLM, can't wait to see this swap progress, it will be a fun build man.

Our LS1-E30 cost us around $8k, which included engine & tranny, new brakes, springs, shocks, steering rack, etc etc, welder, tools. If you are in for 14-15, you must be doing lots of stuff that is "icing on the cake".

[Madhatter]

What was your build? Checked some posts, Im assuming a turbo build with a forged ls1?

Yeah, I can only assume labor on a build like this would probably be as expensive, if not more expensive than the parts themselves. No way I would be doing this build if I had someone else doing the labor.

Ive pretty much gone through the car from top to bottom and beefed up everything to suit the 7L motor. I reckon there is like 20hrs labour in just making up and fitting the new pedal box, so I'd hate to be paying someone for this stuff.

There are things missing from the garret swap guide/kit you'll probably want to do to finish off the car to your standard, not just try to get it in there pretty cheap. There is a lot of DIY stuff in the guide that makes it seem easy/cheap if you have the ability and equipment to do it all yourself, otherwise you would be better off buying one of their (or others) kits.

Add up a quick list of things.

Swap/kit components (mounts, etc)
Engine
Transmission
Clutch
Tailshaft
Sump
Differential / Rear End
Electrics
Cooling
Fuel system

Then if you start replacing components that look worn/old or fixing the few short comings LS1 motors have that see them die. Plus you have things like brake upgrades, gauges, fittings, lines, fluids, etc.

If I did this on the ultra cheap I still reckon it would cost me $10,000. If you are going all out and using new parts, especially if you spend time on the headers, upgrade the valvetrain or fit some new bits, I reckon your realistic budget all said and done would be closer to 15k than 10k.

[Ryan1212]

I should be done my swap at around 14k, that will include a BBK as well. My point is every build is different and its not a cheap swap. I only paid $3800 for an LS1 w/t56, harness and driveshaft. All of you guys are lucky as well, I'm up in Canada so shipping for everything kills me, I'm at least another 1-2k in just for shipping that I didn't include in that price, when most of these parts are free shipping in the US.

My car body wise is in great shape and has zero rust on it, and am yet to break a single bolt on it, so no money has gone into that side of it.

[TeXJ]

She doesn't have to know :p

HAHA

It's a do-able 10k swap depending on the condition of your car. My car was a complete basket case, so I had to replace basically everything. That 15k includes the 1k I paid for the car.

I was looking on ebay for a LS1/2 that alone is a ~$1500 difference between the two(T56 included).

I was wanting to start with a car that already has a good aftermarket suspension, e36 rack and pinion, to cut some of the cost but they way that is going I'm looking at $4-6k for those cars.

[Gertech]

It's a do-able 10k swap depending on the condition of your car. My car was a complete basket case, so I had to replace basically everything. That 15k includes the 1k I paid for the car.

[Gertech]

She doesn't have to know :p

[TeXJ]

oh man, well my wife would never agree to this lol

I was going off of what Garret said he has in his ~$10k. Cant remember if that included the LS or not. He did mention using a 5.3 motor as a possible candidate as well.

[Gertech]

I'm probably in the 15k range to complete my swap, including basically a full resto on the car as well. I anticipated it being about 10k total, so it was a bit more than I thought.

Looking forward to your build! An e30 with v8 power and torque is a blast to drive!