89 325i LS Swap (Rust Repair & Respray Underway)

[AWDBOB]

1) the hydro boost took some getting used to but I like it now. It is a bit laggier than vacuum assisted brakes.
2) I did retain heat. That is the simple one the car does not have ac though.
3) Nope I modified c5 corvette headers to work.
4) Honestly I don’t feel a difference at all. The difference between the m20 and the iron block is 80 lbs so it feels fine to me. Stiffer front springs help as well.

Glad you like the car. I initially was going to switch the car to black interior but I’m glad I didn’t

Thanks for the answers! Since the whole "everyone wants an LS" thing happened, LS1 prices have tripled, as did T56 prices. The difference between a used thrashed fbody T56 and a rebuilt one is like $500 now.

Makes me heavily consider an iron block variant, so it's good to know that the weight is negligible.

[Pootis]

Thanks for the answers! Since the whole "everyone wants an LS" thing happened, LS1 prices have tripled, as did T56 prices. The difference between a used thrashed fbody T56 and a rebuilt one is like $500 now.

Makes me heavily consider an iron block variant, so it's good to know that the weight is negligible.

The T56 was one of the most expensive single purchases of the entire build

[Pootis]

Well I pulled the trigger on a big brake kit this week. I went with the Massive Street Kit which uses Wilwood Dynapro 4 piston front calipers and corrado rotors. I debated on doing the RX7 kit or this kit but after measuring my wheels there is no way I could make the RX7 kit work and that is with the 20mm spacers I am running. Ultimately you need 1-5/8" from the rotor hat to the spokes of your wheels which I didn't have. After doing the math and pricing everything out you are only a couple hundred bucks more to get this kit over the RX7 kit. Since I will be flushing the brake system I decided to buy a rebuild kit for the rears as well as new stainless lines and emergency brake cable parts. I plan on getting it installed this weekend. Wish me luck for the horrible rear lines. (Also yes those BBS RM's have seen better days but I got them for a price you couldn't refuse even with the bends)

[TheWipprSnappr]

Ultimately you need 1-5/8" from the rotor hat to the spokes of your wheels which I didn't have.

Thank you for this! I'll be doing the rx7 install soon and ive been shopping for wheels at the same time and ive been looking for this dimension.

[wworm]

I'd honestly just drop the subframe to get to the rear lines. I ended up rounding one of my lines trying to get to it so I just left them until I dropped my subframe to replace the rear bushings. piece of cake with nothing else in the way...

[Pootis]

I have already done the bushings so it shouldn't be much to drop the subframe again

[wworm]

might be easier with a longer line wrench though. Iirc I was using a 14mm crescent that was pretty short so that definitely contributed. Hopefully you have better luck.

[Pootis]

Believe it or not I got all four of the rear lines off without stripping them or having to remove the subframe. I was able to fit my 11mm line wrench on the hardline side and then I cut the soft line enough so I could get a 14mm deep socket on it and then broke it free. I’m sure I got really lucky. The real bitch was getting the emergency brake cable fitting out of the body tube. It was pretty seized in there. I’m planning on knocking out the fronts next weekend. I will post pics then. Also I could recommend kobalt line wrenches more. They are very precise and extremely strong and I am usually only a husky or craftsman brand guy.

[Pootis]

Brakes installed and bled. I need to bleed them again since they are still a little squishy. Rebuilding the rears was much easier than I expected. Overall I am really pleased with them. I originally put my trm's on but switched back to the vega's. No "scene points" with the vega's since the caliper can hardly be seen behind them but oh well. Other than that I have just been driving the car when it is not horribly hot out. I don't have too many other plans for the car which is kinda nice. At least until I have rust and paint fixed in the winter time.

[MrBurgundy]

205s

That must be wild.. lol

[Pootis]

205s

That must be wild.. lol

Ha yeah they are really old too so traction is non existent when the trm's are on

[wworm]

lol skrrt skrrt. Good idea cutting the lines to get a socket on, hadnt thought of that.

[Pootis]

Well the 4.8 was fun but didn't make enough power. 6.0 swap will be underway in December.



Also had my wheel re-wrapped by stitched wheels. I really like how it turned out.




That's it as far as progress. Winter :down:

[zwill23]

Well the 4.8 was fun but didn't make enough power.

Meanwhile, I'm over here still getting myself into trouble with a stock M20 :rofl:

This is going to be terrifying ;D

[Pootis]

Lol I'm hoping for 400+ to the wheels