whats better for an LS1 ?

[helalo]

if i was gonna put an LS1 engine in an E30, would it be wiser to find a cheaper clean 318is than a 325is ?

can the suspension and brakes on the E30 deal with the LS1 or they MUST be replaced ? what else would need to be replaced ?

[yahh]

Use an e36 shell, it will save you more money in the long run.

[TurboJake]

Use an e36 shell, it will save you more money in the long run.

[ST1G]

Use an e36 shell, it will save you more money in the long run.

[Chinampa]

Use an e36 shell, it will save you more money in the long run.

[10Toes]

Get a Corvette, it will save you more money in the long run.

[jaywood]

E30 LSx > all.

If that was easily CA smoggable I'd already have one.

[cferb]

A 325 will be easier to come across, the 318 is sought after for it's own reasons so really just keep an eye out for both. If you really wanna save money a 325e or early 318 is your best bet if you don't mind diving boards.

The rest I can't help you with, don't know anything about the swap

[Wh33lhop]

A 325 will be easier to come across, the 318 is sought after for it's own reasons so really just keep an eye out for both. If you really wanna save money a 325e or early 318 is your best bet if you don't mind diving boards.

The rest I can't help you with, don't know anything about the swap

You can't help him with this advice, either. If you HAVE to swap into a BMW, do an E36. If you HAVE to swap it into an E30, no the suspension and brakes are not good for 350+whp and neither is the small case diff in a 318; furthermore the smaller struts and drum brakes of the really early cars will only be worse.

But, as was said before, an e30 will have a harder time putting that power down than an e36, let alone properly controlling it.

[gtdragon980]

Never would I have expected r3vlimited to encourage a e36 lsx swap...

[R3Z3N]

If one does an E36, only use an M3. The vanilla variants are already booring enough.

[cferb]

You can't help him with this advice, either. If you HAVE to swap into a BMW, do an E36. If you HAVE to swap it into an E30, no the suspension and brakes are not good for 350+whp and neither is the small case diff in a 318; furthermore the smaller struts and drum brakes of the really early cars will only be worse.

But, as was said before, an e30 will have a harder time putting that power down than an e36, let alone properly controlling it.

Good point about the early struts, but doesn't that only apply to early 318s and not 325s? A diff swap for a 318 is hardly a concern with a project this size.

Either way, OP check out the v8 swap section, you'll get a better response.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

E36 shell will be the cheapest and easiest.

[helalo]

theres a 323is E36 that needs an engine, it has new tires and cooling system overhaul. 8/10 in and out. guy wanteds 900$ for it. i can use that i guess.

but i have a thing for an E30 :( i guess ill see if i can find cheaper shells 325`s

[cferb]

Just do an e30, obviously it can be done, it's been done plenty of times, just be sure you know what you're getting into. If you start right off the bat with a shell you're not happy with, what hope do you have of ever being satisfied with the car? On top of that, if you don't like the shell you're swapping into then what's the point of swapping at all?

Do a lot of research before you make any purchases