Ian's E30 LS1 Swap

[ian e30 318is]

E30 is currently at Elijah’s shop (Joe Customs) and he’s doing an awesome job of finishing loose ends and putting in the cage! Can’t wait to see it done and painted. All the Haltech parts are the in the garage and ready for install/wiring. A few pictures of the progress.

[ian e30 318is]

Rebel LS seems like a no brainer if you don't need trans control. Price is amazing for what you get.

Agreed. I was convinced to switch after talking to several friends. They have all said that Haltech's service and support is the best around. A close friend said they walked him through troubleshooting his system for several hours and were extremely helpful. Also, Just received the whole kit...the ECU, wiring loom, and digital dash just feel and appear like higher quality from the non-split loom to the metal casing on the ECU.

Digging through the stock wiring has been an absolute blast as well...

[Northern]

Rebel LS seems like a no brainer if you don't need trans control. Price is amazing for what you get.

[ian e30 318is]

Some updates…switching the car to Haltech Rebel LS and going full cage. Pulled out the carpet, interior, dash, and HVAC. Need to dry ice the interior tar, rewire back to the fuse box, and flock the dash.

[ian e30 318is]

What Camber / toe adjusters do you have?

I have an assortment of ground down wrenches for E30 alignments. They need to be TIGHT.

Were you able to do a compression test hot?

I’m using the serrated camber and toe adjusters. I need to get the car down to a friend’s shop that has the ground down wrenches for the job too.

Compression test was not hot and did not have the throttle body open. Didn’t feel like trying to pull the plugs with a hot engine bay. Results were still decent.

[moatilliatta]

What Camber / toe adjusters do you have?

I have an assortment of ground down wrenches for E30 alignments. They need to be TIGHT.

Were you able to do a compression test hot?

[ian e30 318is]

Performed the compression and leak down tests and both surprisingly came back better than expected. Compression (without the throttle body open because I forgot) was between 170-180 psi on all cylinders. The leak down numbers were between 2-6% on all cylinders. So super happy with the results.

Next step is fixing the PCV/venting system, pulling the fuel hard lines to install 37 degree flare fittings to the -6an lines to get rid of the hose clamps, hook up the Accusump finally, and heat wrap the brake/clutch lines. Also, planning to order some Jongbloed Racing wheels here in the near future. Than back to testing.

[ian e30 318is]

Ian you still post on here?! its Daniel, I just updated my thread too haha

Hey what’s up brother! I try to keep the thread going for information and updates. I’ll definitely need to check yours out! Hope all is well.

[LucidWerkz]

Ian you still post on here?! its Daniel, I just updated my thread too haha

[ian e30 318is]

E30 is officially in hibernation mode. Compression checked the engine last weekend and all cylinders were between 170-180 psi (forgot to open the throttle body during testing). Planning to leakdown test the engine soon as well (hopefully this weekend). Best case scenario is that the PCV system needs to be reworked/vented and the engine doesn’t need to come out.

Goal is to get the interior out, pull the bolt-in half cage, weld in a full SCCA cage, and rework wiring.

[ian e30 318is]

What front splitter is that? Thanks

The splitter is custom cut from a flat piece of dibond that was CNC cut locally with a 2D file that I made in Fusion 360. I’m thinking of going wider with the splitter in the near future.

[hexe30]

What front splitter is that? Thanks

[ian e30 318is]

Did you do compression test or was it just poor crank case evacuation?

I have not done a compression test or leak down yet. That’s the next step when I get time. The crankcase was very positive under high load and I did not have a way to evacuate it on the track. I do have a PCV filter to put on the valve cover and the catch can that I’ll install on the next round.

[moatilliatta]

Did you do compression test or was it just poor crank case evacuation?

[ian e30 318is]

That is such a bummer, I'm sorry to hear man. Fingers crossed it's not an engine-out ordeal. Build is looking amazing though! Would love to see this ripping out at Buttonwillow sometime in the future.

I appreciate the support. It's 100% an engine out ordeal unfortunately talking to several LS guys. That's the chance you take pushing the car to it's limit. It will give me the opportunity to remove the core support for future, connect the Accusump system, fix fuel lines, possibly gut the car (full cage?), work on wiring, etc.

My gut is telling me to go LS3 crate (along with some long time LS race experts) and not mess around with rebuilding the engine. Better platform and off-the-shelf power. Should have a decision in the next few months and will build it back.