Ford, GM, or BMW V8 swap?

[jalopi]

So fun facts of the day/early morning:





Couldn't find any scale pictures for the m60 or the 302, but found a few numbers that matched other sources:

This guy says the m60 he weighed was about 385lbs. So.. what, 460 with the trans?

http://bmwv8capri.yolasite.com/m60-v8-specs.php

This dude says the 302 weighs about 379lbs (with aluminum heads) and I'm guessing (based off of how much I strained myself lifting the tranny) the T5 is about 80lbs. So 460ish.

http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?40,1890280

Now, it looks like vorshlag left the AC compressor and some other random shit on the LS1, so we'll lop 50lbs off of their figure and go with 550 or so. What people forget about the LS1 is even though the block is lightweight aluminum, the t56 is heavy as fuck. (also I'd say the LS block is pretty beefy, adding on weight) The numbers I've found for the t56 range from 125-145#s, which is acceptable for the amount of power they can put up with... but the weight savings of the aluminum block pretty much get thrown out the window due to the weight of the tranny. Granted, the weight is more centered so you're really not gonna throw the balance off too bad... but then again, with the other two engines you're pretty much rocking an m20 sans A/C stuff and a fiberglass hood or something.

Regardless of all this, I'd still go with a "LS" 5.3L truck engine - they're significantly cheaper than their 5.7L counterparts and the extra savings can be put towards valvetrain upgrades, a cam and fuel upgrades. With a supporting intake and exhaust, that setup is apparently good for something around 400 wheel. The cool thing is that you can buy pretty much all the swap parts for the LS now for a reasonable price, something that wasn't available when I started my v8 swap.

[jalopi]

From what I've read the SBF is the lightest (with aluminum heads. without it's 20-30lbs heavier than the LS)

All three swaps have to deal with the stupid brake booster problem and the issue with the drivers' side header hitting the steering shaft. So far, only the M6X and LS swaps have buyable drivers' side headers to clear the steering shaft... wrapping the exhaust around the front of the engine is not fun.

Cost wise would be: LS(by a decent margin)>Ford>M6X

Documentation of the LS is probably almost as good as the M6X now, so that's not a big concern.

Really depends on what you want to do with the car and if you're willing to take the necessary precautions to keep the LS from getting oil starved.

[Vtec?lol]

LS will be the lightest by far.

Price is not something thats definite. It varies depending on your bargaining skills and fab abilities.

My M60 and 6spd have set me back about $800. This is because I bought a complete 540i6 and parted it out and got my money back.

[Bearmw]

Thanks for the ideas. What are the lightest and conversely the heaviest swaps and what are the cost and/difficulty differences?

[LoneWolf]

I was a couple parts from building an LS engine for my car, easy power, reliable, and huge aftermarket for swapping.

But woke up one day, put my feet out of bed and to the floor, then began to sell off all the pieces. Really do not know why, maybe it was the cookie cutter-ness of it what hasn't had a LS stuffed in it. Nothing wrong with the LS swaps as all.

[Gertech]

How wide are the new Dodge engines? They look a bit wider than an LS to me, but I could be wrong. I do know that they are fairly expensive...could be one reason why you don't see too many swaps with them.

Ford 302 is a turd unless you really hop it up. But they can be found for cheap.

If you're a BMW purist I guess you go with a BMW engine. Personally I'm an LS fan and couldn't be happier with my car after the swap. They can be found for relatively cheap and have tons of aftermarket support. They're also very reliable and make good power with very little work.

[MonkeyMadness]

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk

[MonkeyMadness]

My double quote didn't stay, I saw you lol.

Lol....
Hey that's a great idea someone should swap in a dodge v8!


Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk

[e30_302]

Has anyone ever done or thought to do a MOPAR? I see 5.0's and LS swaps all over, no dodge engines though.

There's a slant-6 that runs in Lemons, as well as a 4.6L GM V6.

[MonkeyMadness]

^^^^ But if you want to stand out and do something no one has yet
go get your self the 6.1 SRT8 motor.... clean looking motor and small enough to fit...

You don't have to, its just cheapest so most people do.

Has anyone ever done or thought to do a MOPAR? I see 5.0's and LS swaps all over, no dodge engines though.

Check out all the different threads in this section. Ford 5.0 How to is helpful, there's a bunch of LS and M60 threads as well.

The M60 is probably the most well documented of the 3.

Umm?

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk

[JasonC]

Aluminum 401 AMC from INDY....

[slammin.e28]

I'm bias to keeping engines the same as the car manufacturer....

....but an LS in anything goes like stink.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'm not a fan of the way the exhaust crossover thing happens on the 5.0/SBF builds.

[kalib0y]

purists tend to go for BMW V8/10/12 but for me, they are on the heavy side. The simplicity, aluminum block, and rawness of a single cam LS motor makes me smile every time i get in the car. Its so wrong, yet so right

[MonkeyMadness]

^^^^ what he said...

I'm a BMW swap guy but I like the looks of the LSx swaps, not a fan of the ford stuff, it just looks strange....!


But if you want to stand out and do something no one has yet
go get your self the 6.1 SRT8 motor.... clean looking motor and small enough to fit...