LS1 / T56 DD e28 BMW Build

[87e30]

I'm just going to swing by again to say how awesome this is.

[jakeb]

thanks man...the build has been fun so far. A little delay with the birth of my son last weekend but we'll move ahead more soon.

I am upgrading the condenser and running new lines. I want cold AC. I would much rather the GM PCM control it all because it adjusts the tune a little bit to compensate for the extra load. It also turns the AC off above a certain RPM...which I think is pretty sweet. I think it might also be controlled by TPS.

[02Wrxdriver]

Very cool build idea. Also I think it is a really smart idea to use the LS a/c etc. and plumb them into the stock evap. I helped a buddy to almost this exact swap in a 280Z and using the GM parts already on the engine worked easier. I'll be watching this build closely.

[jakeb]

The e12 radiator will be fine. From what I have read the LS engines run pretty cool. I will run the stock e28 535 radiator

[blunttech]

Jake I have a new radiator. Is that going to be enough in my e12 or will I have to get something larger??

[iamsam]

This build is making me incredibly jealous.

[freeride53]

Cool stuff.
Love the Volvo, I have almost the same car. The manual tranny defiantely wakes up the b230f 4cyl, but i agreew with you that it is slow as ballz (even with n/a performance upgrades here and there) compared to my bimmer and other cars on the road.

[jakeb]

Very very small update....its been a busy week

I am going to run 2 12" puller fans this way everything will clear.


I will have a fan should waterjet and then powder coated. It will look something like this... I will weld some studs on it for the fans to mount.


Mounted the GM fuse box next to the BMW fuse box. no picture of that. Hoping to have some time over the next couple weeks to put into it.

Picked up another car and engine for a swap down the road...92 volvo wagon and then a 4.8 truck engine and a 4l60e automatic. It will be my wifes DD eventually. It actually drives nice as it stands now but is pretty slow.

A pic of it..

[jakeb]

Motorcraft - SW-5857
It is what the e39 guys are using too. I think the GM switch would fit but it would be really hard to get the connector on with the engine in the car.

[garretvs]

Whats the P/N for the Ford back-up switch? A nice solution to the GM switch, which is perpendicular to the TX case.

[MR 325]

Looking good, I really like the stuff you did the firewall with.

[87e30]

So awesome!!!

[e30rapidic]

most excellent!

[jakeb]

Engine went back in yesterday...a few things to show pics of.

I had to open up the trans tunnel just a little bit, this is on the passenger side just in front of the mount.



Swapped to Ford backup light switch so I had a bit more room to plug the connector in.



Ready to go in


It's close but it clears everything.


e28 535 hose cut a bit more fits...still needs to be pushed on further.


I plan to move the heater valve over the the passenger side firewall to allow a better hose setup.


PCM mounted...I will have to adjust the harness a bit but that was a plan anyway.



It just looks like it belongs in there.....

[jakeb]

Little bit of an update today. Got the firewall insulation on, brake booster repainted and on, replaced the clutch master, installed the lokar throttle cable, finished up the intake 255lph fuel pump, installed the fuel tank, installed the front subframe and steering box, made a couple strut bars....

I think that is about it....

On to some pictures

The e28 pickup tube is 12mm and the TRE pump is 8mm. The TRE fuel line fit tightly inside some BMW 12mm line. I don't feel there will be any issues as it is more of just a spacer and then all tightened down with a clamp. Only about a 1/2" piece of the TRE line inside the BMW stuff.



Ground line is crimped and soldered


I did cut off about 3/8" off the stock pickup tube so the pump would sit at the right depth in the tank. Then crimped the hose down



Pump in the tank, sitting just off the bottom



Gas tank cleaned and painted...and installed




Started with a layer of bytul type sound deadener


Covered it with this alum backed fiber heat shield type stuff. The alum backing was pretty thick



A picture from a bit back showing the entire bay



Subframe/steering in



Front struts are together, new wheel bearings, billy sports, right now some cut stock springs. Going to see how it sits before changing anything.




I did the following a week or so ago, just never updated the thread

There was a little rust under the battery, cleaned it up and POR'd it. I will probably spray some silver over top.


Little rust starting under the brake lines...cleaned up


Reinforced the rear sway bar mounts. There is a piece of angle iron up inside them and welded both to the body and the mount, then all PORd