Gertech's '86 325es LSx T56 Swap

[efficient]

Damn!

[Gertech]

Yeah I was looking at the e36 Mishimoto options. Might be the way to go if the stocker won't cut it. They also have some nice looking fans. I'll tell you one thing...I'm so damn sick of this snow shit! I just wanna drive my e30!

[jalopi]

You'll probably be fine as long as your fan is good - if not, maybe upgrade to a mishimoto radiator? I don't know how much power you're putting down but I'm sure you'll be OK... imo the z3 mishi rad is way too big for our applications.

[Gertech]

He bought his steering shaft - the vorshlag shafts are nice, but very expensive. Search up e46 steering shaft e30, there's a guide somewhere on doing it.

On a side note, I wouldn't do it the way that guide says to 100% of the way though... instead of cutting the shafts it's much cleaner to heat the shafts up and get the glue to "snake" out. Hard way = propane torch, easy way = outdoor grill/stove on a low flame


ALSO

Thanks for the shot of the rad clearance - I was under the impression that the LS water pump was a bit shorter, but if your clearance is about an inch it's probably the same as the ford - the z3 rad I've got is roughly 1" thicker than the e36 rads.

Wow, if it's that much thicker I might have the same clearance issues as you! I'm hoping that the stock e36 rad will do it, but we'll find out when warmer weather arrives.

[Gertech]

What parts did you use to make the steering shaft?
Also I'm assuming your using an e36 rack?

Yeah, I'm running an e36 rack. Made my own spacers to fit the rack in the frame. I bought the steering shaft from Vorshlag, made to fit the e30 with e36 rack. In hindsight I could have made the shaft by purchasing the parts separately from flaming river, but either way it's a quality unit.

http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_17_159&products_id=459

[jalopi]

He bought his steering shaft - the vorshlag shafts are nice, but very expensive. Search up e46 steering shaft e30, there's a guide somewhere on doing it.

On a side note, I wouldn't do it the way that guide says to 100% of the way though... instead of cutting the shafts it's much cleaner to heat the shafts up and get the glue to "snake" out. Hard way = propane torch, easy way = outdoor grill/stove on a low flame


ALSO

Thanks for the shot of the rad clearance - I was under the impression that the LS water pump was a bit shorter, but if your clearance is about an inch it's probably the same as the ford - the z3 rad I've got is roughly 1" thicker than the e36 rads.

[bmk]

What parts did you use to make the steering shaft?
Also I'm assuming your using an e36 rack?

[Gertech]

What mode e36 radiator did you use?

It's a stock M3 radiator, but I don't think those differ from the standard e36. I haven't had a chance to drive the car in warm weather since I just got it on the road in November, so I'm still not sure how well it will cool. Time will tell.

[E30NJ]

Nice!

[bmk]

What mode e36 radiator did you use?

[Gertech]

Great job. That looks really cool. Must be fun to drive!

Thanks! Yes it's a blast! Can't wait for nice weather to put some miles on it. Weather in the northeast isn't ideal right now!

[5ickride]

Great job. That looks really cool. Must be fun to drive!

[Gertech]

Thanks man. I bought Garret's swap guide and built my own mounts loosely based on his design.

[bmk]

Beautiful car. Did you build your own mounts or use one of the kits out there?

[Gertech]

Also, could you get a shot of your radiator-to-waterpump clearance? Just out of curiosity.

I definitely have more clearance than your setup. Probably about an inch.


Radiator clearance by Bret Gerding, on Flickr