Lsx swap gathering parts need input and advice

[bmk]

Hello all I have been very slowly collecting parts for my lsx swap over the past year. The donor car is an original owner 5 speed delphin 86 es.
Here are the parts I've collected so far:
5.3 unknown year
Ls1 intake w/cable throttle body
Ls1 rails and injectors
F body waterpump, main drive pulley, tensioner, alternator and bracket
GTO oil pan already modified

Things I know I still need motor wise:
Sanderson headers / exhaust
Radiator (no clue what I'm gonna use yet most likely gonna hit the junk yard)
Motor mounts

Trans/drive:
T56 w/ ls1 bell housing
Ls1 auto engine harness and PCM ( herd it's not to hard to convert this to the t56)
Still need a clutch gonna go with ACT 6 puck with heavy duty pp ( had great luck with these on my import with 500+whp and you can get it for 400 shipped on amazon)
Ls1 aluminum drive shaft
I also have a 2.93 3.73 4.10 LSD diffs not sure which I wanna run yet.

Brakes:
Massive booster delete
Not sure what master to run open to ideas. I don't mind a stiffer pedal just but would like something daily drivable

My plans are do use the stock e30 rack as it doesn't leak and is in great condition. Gonna do a power steering delete.

I know I still need a lot of little items. I thought I would post up my progress to get input from all you for any advice, tips, tricks, parts I need (let me know if you have anything for sale).

I would like to do this right the first time yet keep to a budget. Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

[The Dark Side of Will]

2.93 is too tall for a T56. You'll want something in the 3.38 to 4.10 range.
4.10 is a good gear for F-bodies and Vettes, but they're significantly heavier than an E30. 3.73 should be good, but you could easily go taller, considering how light the car is.

[Gertech]

If you're going with a relatively stock 5.3 save yourself some cash and just get a stock LS1 f-body clutch. Ran that in my LS1 powered S10 and in my e30. Plenty of clutch for a light vehicle, unless you start making more power. LS7 clutch is a good option at that point.

As far as the driveshaft goes, I built mine with this...http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/c36_...lip_yokes.html part #2081856. You'll be able to remove/install the driveshaft without pulling the engine or diff.

I'll be interested to see how you handle the braking setup. I'm running massive's booster delete with a modified ratio and all stock braking components. Definitely doesn't stop fast enough if you ask me.

[bmk]

How did the drive shaft need to be modified to make that work? What drive shaft did you use as the base?

[Gertech]

I brought that slip yoke and the JTR flange to a driveshaft shop along with my specs and had them build it. I think it was around $300 for them to fab a brand new drive shaft with new joints and all, not too bad. What's the diameter of the aluminum driveshaft? They're usually larger than steel shafts, so I think you might have a clearance issue in the tunnel, especially by the fuel tank.

[bmk]

I wanna say it's 3"

[Gertech]

The one I had built is 2.5" and it's super close to the fuel tank at the top of the tunnel. 3" could be an issue, but you could easily test it out before you have the drivetrain in.

I also agree with Will on the rear gearing. I'm running the stock 2.93 but I feel like something in the low to mid 3s would be better suited with the transmission ratios. I'm going to start searching for like a 3.15 or 3.45 to build up and swap in place of the 2.93.

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

did you mod the pan or get lucky and find one already done? anyone else have one for sale lol

[DER E30]

2.93 is too tall for a T56. You'll want something in the 3.38 to 4.10 range.
4.10 is a good gear for F-bodies and Vettes, but they're significantly heavier than an E30. 3.73 should be good, but you could easily go taller, considering how light the car is.

This... My truck has a stock 3.42 ratio rear end, and pulls like 1200 rpms on the highway at 60. I use 5th gear mostly for cruising because it sounds far happier with a few extra rpms. The .5 (1 to 2!) ratio 6th gear is pointless to me without a short rear...

Any questions about my swap just ask.

[The Dark Side of Will]

This... My truck has a stock 3.42 ratio rear end, and pulls like 1200 rpms on the highway at 60. I use 5th gear mostly for cruising because it sounds far happier with a few extra rpms. The .5 (1 to 2!) ratio 6th gear is pointless to me without a short rear...

Any questions about my swap just ask.

A 5.3 in an E30 could pull 1200 RPM at 60 pretty easily... ;)

[Gertech]

did you mod the pan or get lucky and find one already done? anyone else have one for sale lol

I modded a GTO pan.

[DER E30]

A 5.3 in an E30 could pull 1200 RPM at 60 pretty easily... ;)

I bet hay truck is a much bigger brick to push than an e30! Lol just saying a person could get away with real short gears

[bmk]

did you mod the pan or get lucky and find one already done? anyone else have one for sale lol

My budd helped me mod one. It was a lot of work, even modded the baffle to fit back in